Image forming device and image forming method

An image forming device comprising:

• image data generation means for generating image data from original data;
• compression means for compressing the image data generated by the image data generation means;
• a printing engine providing a plurality of different printing speed for printing an image on an image recording medium;
• printing speed determining means for predicting compressed data volume based on the image data generated by the image data generation means and selecting one of the printing speed among the plurality of different printing speed based on the predicted compressed data volume;
• memory means for storing the image data compressed by the compression means;
• decompressing means for decompressing the compressed image data stored in the memory means;
• and
• transfer means for transferring the image data decompressed by the decompressing means to the printing engine.

An image forming method comprising the steps of:

• generating image data from original data;
• compressing the image data generated in the image data generation step;
• storing the image data compressed in the compression step in a memory section;
• determining printing speed of a printing engine based on the image data compressed in the compression step and stored in the memory section;
• decompressing the compressed image data stored in the memory section;
• and
• transferring the image data decompressed in the decompressing step to the printing engine.

An image forming method comprising the steps of:

• generating image data from original data;
• predicting data volume of the image data as if the image data being compressed based on the image data generated in the generation step;
• determining printing speed of a printing engine based on the predicted data volume among a plurality of printing speed;
• compressing the image data generated in the image data generation step;
• storing the image data compressed in the compression step into a memory section;
• decompressing the compressed image data stored in the memory section;
• and
• transferring the image data decompressed in the decompressing step to the printing engine.