Printing apparatus including print image storage and control method therefor

A printing method, comprising:

• (a) receiving print data from a host device;
• (b) receiving at least one predetermined control command from the host device;
• (c) storing print image data based on the print data received in step (a);
• (d) developing an image on a recording medium based on the print image data stored in step (c) in response to a first or second predetermined control command received in step (b);
• and
• (e) selectively performing, after completion of step (d), one of:
• (1) flushing the print image data stored in step (c) in response to the first predetermined control command;
• and
• (2) keeping the print image data stored in step (c) in response to the second predetermined control command.

An article of manufacture, comprising a computer usable medium having readable code embodied therein for use with a recording device having a storage unit interfacing with a host device to receive at least one of print data and control commands therefrom, the computer readable program code comprising:

• computer readable program code for storing print image data in the recording device storage unit based on the print data received from the host device;
• computer readable program code for developing an image on a recording medium based on the print image data stored in the recording device storage unit in response to one of a first predetermined control command and a second predetermined control command received from the host device;
• and
• computer readable program code to perform, after the image is developed by said developing program code, one of:
• (1) flush the print image data stored in said recording device storage unit in accordance with said first predetermined control command;
• and
• (2) keep the print image data stored in said recording device storage unit in accordance with said second predetermined control command.

A printing apparatus, comprising:

• a memory for storing print image data based on print data received from a host device;
• and
• a print controller in communication with said memory for developing an image on a recording medium based on the print image data stored in said memory in response to one of a first predetermined control command and a second predetermined control command received from the host device, said print controller comprising:
• an information processor;
• and
• first processor readable program code residing in said memory, said first program code causing said information processor to perform, after image development, one of:
• (1) flush the print image data stored in said memory in response to said first predetermined control command;
• and
• (2) keep the print image data stored in said memory in response to said second predetermined control command.

A printing apparatus, comprising:

• a storage unit to store print image data based on print data received from a host device;
• a print controller in communication with said storage unit to develop an image on a recording medium based on the print image data stored in said storage unit in response to one of a first predetermined control command and a second predetermined control command received from the host device;
• and
• a mode selector to select a mode of the printing apparatus as one of:
• (1) a first mode, in response to the first predetermined control command, in which the print image data stored in said storage unit is flushed after said print controller has developed the image on the recording medium based on the print image data;
• and
• (2) a second mode, in response to the second predetermined control command, in which the print image data stored in said storage unit is kept after said print controller has developed the image on the recording medium based on the print image data.