Patent ID: 6977734

Claim:
A printer, comprising: a controller for interpreting a print command received, performing print preparation by a unit of a page, and giving instructions for printing; and an engine for executing printing according to the print command, wherein said controller: calculates, when print preparation for a first page is completed, an estimated completion time of print preparation for a second page; judges whether the estimated completion time of print preparation is later than a prescribed time limit, which is based on the difference between the time required for printing 2 pages by 1 page unit printing and the time required for printing 2 pages by 2 page unit printing; and gives to the engine an instruction for 1 page unit printing for the first page if the controller judges that the estimated completion time of print preparation is later than the prescribed time limit, but; on the other hand, if the controller judges that the estimated completion time is earlier than the prescribed time limit, it further judges whether the print preparation for the second page was completed by a first time, and if it judges that the print preparation for the second page was completed, it gives to the engine an instruction for 2 page unit printing for the first page and the second page, but if it judges that the print preparation for the second page was not completed, it gives to the engine an instruction for 1 page unit printing for the first page.