Image forming apparatus that buffers data in a storage device and reduces delays in process
An image forming apparatus includes a processor, and a storage controller that writes band data to a storage device and reads the band data. The processor: (a) generates a write-side process and a read-side process; (b) generates a write-side thread by the write-side process; (c) generates a read-side thread and a file read thread by the read-side process; (d) notifies the read-side process of an identifier within the storage device, and causes the storage controller to sequentially write the band data; and (e) requests the file read thread to cause the storage controller to sequentially read out the band data corresponding to the identifier and causes the storage controller to sequentially read out the band data and one or more subsequent band data.
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a storage controller configured to: (i) write image data on one page to a storage device, wherein the image data comprises a plurality of pieces of band data, and (ii) read out the plurality of pieces of band data from the storage device; and
a processor configured to control the storage controller, wherein the processor is configured to:
(a) generate a write-side process that causes the storage controller to write the plurality of pieces of band data;
(b) generate a read-side process that causes the storage controller to read out the plurality of pieces of band data;
(c) generate a write-side thread by the write-side process;
(d) generate a read-side thread and a file read thread by the read-side process;
(e) based on the write-side process, notify the read-side process of an identifier of a storage area within the storage device,
(f) based on the write-side thread, cause the storage controller to sequentially write the plurality of pieces of band data;
(g) based on the read-side process and the read-side thread, request the file read thread to cause the storage controller to sequentially read out the plurality of pieces of band data from the identifier of the storage area; and
(h) based on the file read thread, cause the storage controller to sequentially read the plurality of pieces of band data, wherein based on a request for reading one of the plurality of pieces of band data, the file read thread is configured to cause the storage controller to read out the one of the plurality of pieces of band data, and wherein one or more of the plurality of pieces of band data is subsequent to the one of the plurality of pieces of band data.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pieces of band data are written to a file stored in the storage device, and wherein the identifier of the storage area includes an identifier of the file.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the storage device includes a buffer that temporarily stores the image data based on the image process performed on the image data.