Image formation apparatus, printing data generation apparatus, computer-readable recording medium, and printing data generation method

A printing data generation apparatus, comprising:

• a storage section to store PDL data;
• an image processing section including a plurality of operation sections, each of which executing a task performing processing by a page or a task performing processing by a band to generate printing data based on the PDL data;
• and
• a control section to analyze the PDL data to obtain a number of printing pages, the control section dynamically setting a number of the operation sections assigned to each of the task performing the processing by the page and the task performing the processing by the band in accordance with the obtained number of the printing pages;
• a storage section to previously store a value of a minimum number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the band, wherein
• the control section calculates a maximum number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page by subtracting the minimum number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the band, the minimum number being stored in the storage section, from a total number of the plurality of operation sections, and wherein
• the control section dynamically sets the number of the operation sections assigned to each of the tasks in order that the number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is the same number as the number of the printing pages when the calculated maximum number is equal to the number of the printing pages or more;
• and in order that the number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is equal to the maximum number or less, and that the number of pages to be processed by each of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is the least, and further that the number of the operation sections that are to generate an unprocessed state among the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is the least, when the calculated maximum number is less than the number of the printing pages.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program to make a computer, including a plurality of operation sections, function as:

• an image processing section to generate printing data based on PDL data, through an execution of a task performing processing by a page or a task performing processing by a band by each of the plurality of operation sections;
• and
• a control section to analyze the PDL data to obtain a number of printing pages, the control section dynamically setting a number of the operation sections assigned to each of the task performing the processing by the page and the task performing the processing by the band in accordance with the obtained number of the printing pages;
• a storage section to previously store a value of a minimum number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the band, wherein
• the control section calculates a maximum number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page by subtracting the minimum number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the band, the minimum number being stored in the storage section, from a total number of the plurality of operation sections, and wherein
• the control section dynamically sets the number of the operation sections assigned to each of the tasks in order that the number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is the same number as the number of the printing pages when the calculated maximum number is equal to the number of the printing pages or more;
• and in order that the number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is equal to the maximum number or less, and that the number of pages to be processed by each of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is the least, and further that the number of the operation sections that are to generate an unprocessed state among the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is the least, when the calculated maximum number is less than the number of the printing pages.

A printing data generation method to generate printing data based on PDL data through an execution of a task performing processing by a page or a task performing processing by a band by each of a plurality of operation sections, comprising:

• analyzing the PDL data to obtain a number of printing pages, and dynamically setting a number of the operation sections assigned to each of the task performing the processing by the page and the task performing the processing by the band in accordance with the obtained number of the printing pages by a control section;
• storing a value of a minimum number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the band in a storage section, wherein
• calculating a maximum number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page by subtracting the minimum number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the band, the minimum number being stored in the storage section, from a total number of the plurality of operation sections, and wherein
• dynamically setting the number of the operation sections assigned to each of the tasks in order that the number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is the same number as the number of the printing pages when the calculated maximum number is equal to the number of the printing pages or more;
• and in order that the number of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is equal to the maximum number or less, and that the number of pages to be processed by each of the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is the least, and further that the number of the operation sections that are to generate an unprocessed state among the operation sections assigned to the task performing the processing by the page is the least, when the calculated maximum number is less than the number of the printing pages by the control section.