Patent ID: 6049394
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A color print system comprising:a host computer configured to prepare color image data to be printed; anda color printer controller configured to print said color image data in colors by controlling a color printer engine,wherein said host computer comprises:a printer driver unit configured to convert the prepared color image data to data with a format which said color printer controller can interpret and configured to send the converted color image data by each color component to said color printer controller, andwherein said color printer controller comprises:a memory control unit configured to convert the color image data sent from said printer driver unit to data with a format which can be printed with said color printer engine and configured to develop the color image data for each color component in a memory unit, said memory unit temporally storing the color image data developed by said memory control unit; andan engine interface unit configured to send the color image data developed in said memory unit to said color printer engine by each color component,wherein the host computer estimates a time required for the color printer controller to develop the color image data based on a complexity of the color image data, andwherein the color printer controller transmits a print instruction command to the color printer engine based on 1) the estimated time required for the color printer controller to develop the color image, and 2) a printing speed of the color printer engine.