JP2003191535A - Plotting controller, plotting control method, storage medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently obtain output results passed through a reduction enlargement process with a user's desired quality by maintaining an image quality according to a plotting condition and preventing a processing speed decrease. <P>SOLUTION: When image data is inputted as a plotting command, an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio for a first enlargement/reduction part 402 which enlarges or reduces when converting image data to intermediate data, and a second enlargement reduction part 404 which enlarges or reduces when plotting intermediate data and generating printing images is set and controlled on the basis of the plotting condition designated by the plotting command. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has intermediate data generation means for analyzing an input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and image generation means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. The present invention relates to a drawing control device, a drawing control method, a storage medium, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional drawing control apparatus having an intermediate data generating means for analyzing an inputted drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generating means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. Then, the enlarging / reducing process was performed only when converting the image data into intermediate data or when drawing the intermediate data and generating the print image, and did not switch between them depending on the conditions. .

[0003]

However, the conventional intermediate data generating means for analyzing the input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and the image generating means for generating the print image by drawing the intermediate data are provided. In the drawing control device having the above, the enlarging / reducing process is performed only when the image data is converted into the intermediate data or when the intermediate data is drawn and the print image is generated. Since it was not performed, it was not possible to control the processing selection and processing flow suitable for the data content and the quality mode, so the output result of the data processing speed and image quality desired by the user may not always be obtained. There was a problem such as being lost.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to analyze an input drawing command and convert it into intermediate data, and an intermediate data generating means. In a drawing control device having an image generating means for generating a print image by drawing, when image data is input as a drawing command, a first enlargement is performed for enlarging or reducing when converting the image data into intermediate data. Setting control of the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio for the reducing means and the second enlarging / reducing means for enlarging or reducing when drawing the intermediate data to generate a print image based on the drawing condition specified by the drawing command. By doing so, the image quality according to the drawing conditions is maintained, the reduction in processing speed is also prevented, and the reduction / enlargement processing is performed with the quality desired by the user. To provide a drawing processor and a drawing control method and a storage medium, and a program capable of constructing a rendering processing environment can be obtained force results efficiently freely.

[0005]

A first invention according to the present invention is an intermediate data generation means for analyzing an input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data (intermediate data generation stored in ROM 219 shown in FIG. 2). Equivalent to the program),
A drawing control device having an image generation unit (corresponding to an image generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 2) that generates a print image by drawing intermediate data, and image data is input as a drawing command. In this case, a first enlarging / reducing means (first enlarging / reducing unit 402 shown in FIG. 4) for enlarging or reducing the image data when converting it into intermediate data, and drawing the intermediate data to generate a print image. Second enlarging / reducing means (second enlarging / reducing unit 404 shown in FIG. 4) for enlarging or reducing, the enlarging rate or reducing rate of the first enlarging / reducing means, and the second enlarging / reducing means. And an enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit (enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 shown in FIG. 4) for setting the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the image based on the drawing condition specified by the drawing command. And, the enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio suitable for drawing condition and the first scaling unit 402 the second scaling section 4
It becomes possible to allocate at 04.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing ratio setting means is configured such that the enlarging / reducing ratio of the first enlarging / reducing means and the second enlarging / reducing means according to the size of the input image data. Is set so that the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can distribute the enlargement or reduction ratio suitable for the size of the input image data. Become.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means is based on the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, and the enlargement or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means. And the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction means are set, and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image is set to the first enlargement ratio. Distribution can be performed by the reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means is based on the relationship between the bit depth of each pixel of the input image and the bit depth of each pixel of the printed image. Setting the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction means and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction means, and the bit depth of each pixel of the input image and each pixel of the print image. The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can distribute an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio suitable for the relationship with the per-bit depth.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing ratio setting means sets the enlarging / reducing ratio of the first enlarging / reducing means based on the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data. The enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit is set, and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for setting the output quality mode of the input image data is set to the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit. Can be distributed by the scaling unit 404.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means determines the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means based on whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format. The reduction ratio and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction means are set, and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format is set. It can be distributed by the first scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 404.

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the enlargement / reduction rate setting means is based on a memory capacity installed in a device,
An enlargement rate or reduction rate of the first enlargement / reduction means and an enlargement rate or reduction rate of the second enlargement / reduction means are set, and the enlargement rate or reduction rate is suitable for the memory capacity installed in the device. Can be distributed between the first scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 404.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means sets the enlargement or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means to the second enlargement / reduction ratio based on the type of PDL of the input drawing command. The PDL of the input drawing command is characterized by setting the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction means.
It is possible for the first scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 404 to distribute an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio suitable for the type.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means is based on the presence / absence of an enlargement / reduction accelerator of the first enlargement / reduction means and the second enlargement / reduction means. Is set, and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction means are set, and whether the first enlargement / reduction means and the enlargement / reduction accelerator of the second enlargement / reduction means are present or not. A suitable enlargement ratio or reduction ratio can be distributed between the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

In a tenth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means is based on the speed of the enlargement / reduction processing of the first enlargement / reduction means and the second enlargement / reduction means, and the first enlargement / reduction means. Of the first enlargement / reduction means and the second enlargement / reduction means are set, and the enlargement / reduction rate of the second enlargement / reduction means and the enlargement / reduction rate of the second enlargement / reduction means are set. The first enlargement / reduction unit 4 sets an appropriate enlargement ratio or reduction ratio.
02 and the second scaling unit 404.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction rate setting means is characterized in that the first enlargement / reduction means is based on the quality of the enlargement / reduction processing result of the first enlargement / reduction means and the second enlargement / reduction means. The enlargement or reduction ratio of the means and the enlargement or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction means are set, and the enlargement / reduction processing result of the first enlargement / reduction means and the second enlargement / reduction means is set. An enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for quality can be distributed between the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means is based on the type of the content of the image data including characters, figures and natural images of the input image data. The expansion rate or reduction rate of the second
Character of the input image data, figure,
The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can distribute the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the type of the content of the image data such as a natural image.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means is configured to perform the first enlargement / reduction on the basis of a switching instruction attached to the input image data or a user designation such as a device user interface. The enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the means and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction device are set, and a switching instruction attached to the input image data or a user designation such as a device user interface The enlargement or reduction ratio suitable for the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit.
Can be distributed by the scaling unit 404.

In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means stores the generated print image in one page of memory or outputs the generated print image in synchronization with a printer engine. On the basis of the setting, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit are set, and the generated print image is stored for one page in the memory. The first enlarging / reducing unit 402 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404 can distribute an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio suitable for whether to store the generated print image in synchronization with the printer engine or output the generated print image.

A fifteenth invention according to the present invention is an intermediate data generation means (corresponding to an intermediate data generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 2) which analyzes an input drawing command and converts it into intermediate data. A drawing control device having an image generation unit (corresponding to an image generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 2) for generating a print image by drawing intermediate data, wherein image data is used as a drawing command. When input, a first enlarging / reducing means (corresponding to the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 shown in FIG. 4) for enlarging or reducing when converting the image data into the intermediate data, and drawing the intermediate data to print the image. Second enlarging / reducing means (corresponding to the second enlarging / reducing section 404 shown in FIG. 4) for enlarging or reducing when generating the, and the first enlarging / reducing means. A first scaling processing setting means for setting one kind of scaling processing from among a plurality of scaling processing (corresponding to the scaling processing section 406 shown in FIG. 4),
Second enlarging / reducing processing setting means (corresponding to the enlarging / reducing processing unit 406 shown in FIG. 4) for setting one of a plurality of enlarging / reducing processing as the enlarging / reducing processing type of the second enlarging / reducing means.
And a scaling process switching unit (FIG. 4) that switches between the process set by the first scaling process setting unit and the process set by the second scaling process setting unit according to a specific drawing condition.
(Corresponding to the enlarging / reducing processing unit 406 shown in FIG. 4), the enlarging processing or the reducing processing suitable for the drawing condition can be set by the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing process switching means sets the first enlarging / reducing process setting means based on the size of the input image data and the second enlarging / reducing process. It is characterized in that processing set by the processing setting means is switched, and enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the size of input image data can be set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. .

In a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction processing switching means sets the enlargement / reduction processing setting means based on the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image. And the processing set by the second enlargement / reduction processing setting means are switched, and the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 performs enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image.
And can be set by the second scaling unit 404.

In an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction processing switching means is based on a relationship between a bit depth of each pixel of an input image and a bit depth of each pixel of a printed image. The bit depth per pixel of the input image and the bit per pixel of the print image are characterized by switching between the processing set by the scaling processing setting means and the processing set by the second scaling processing setting means. Enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the relationship with the depth can be set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

In a nineteenth invention according to the present invention, the enlarging / reducing process switching means sets the first enlarging / reducing process setting means based on the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data, and the second aspect. The enlargement / reduction processing setting unit switches the processing set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction processing, which are suitable for the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data. It can be set in the section 404.

In a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing process switching means sets the enlarging / reducing process setting means based on whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format. And the processing set by the second enlargement / reduction processing setting means are switched, and the first enlargement or reduction processing suitable for whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format is provided. Scale unit 4
02 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404.

In a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing process switching means sets the first enlarging / reducing process setting means and the second enlarging / reducing process based on a memory capacity installed in the device. It is characterized in that the processing set by the setting means is switched, and the enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the memory capacity installed in the device can be set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

In a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing process switching means is the PD of the input drawing command.
It is characterized in that the processing set by the first enlargement / reduction processing setting means and the processing set by the second enlargement / reduction processing setting means are switched based on the type of L, and is suitable for the type of PDL of the input drawing command. Enlargement processing or reduction processing is the first
This can be set by the scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 404.

In a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing process switching means is based on the presence / absence of an enlarging / reducing accelerator of the first enlarging / reducing means and the second enlarging / reducing means. The process of setting by the setting means and the second
Characterized in that the processing set by the scaling processing setting means is switched, and the scaling processing or scaling processing suitable for the presence / absence of the scaling accelerator of the first scaling means and the second scaling means is performed as the first scaling. It can be set by the reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

In a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing processing switching means sets the first enlarging / reducing processing according to the speed of the enlarging / reducing processing of the first enlarging / reducing means and the second enlarging / reducing means. The processing set by the means and the processing set by the second scaling processing setting means are switched, and the scaling processing suitable for the speed of the scaling processing of the first scaling means and the second scaling means. Or the reduction process is first
This can be set by the scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 404.

In a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing processing switching means is based on the quality of the enlarging / reducing processing results of the first enlarging / reducing means and the second enlarging / reducing means.
Of the enlargement / reduction processing results of the first enlargement / reduction means and the second enlargement / reduction means of the first enlargement / reduction means and the second enlargement / reduction processing of the second enlargement / reduction processing are switched. Enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for quality can be set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

In a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing process switching means is the first enlarging / reducing process setting means based on the type of the content of the image data including the input characters, figures and natural images. It is characterized in that the setting process and the process set by the second enlarging / reducing process setting means are switched, and the enlarging process or reducing process suitable for the type of the content of the image data such as characters, figures, and natural images of the input image data. Can be set by the first scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 404.

In a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing process switching means is configured to perform the first enlarging / reducing process based on a switching instruction attached to the input image data or a user designation such as a device user interface. It is characterized in that the processing set by the setting means and the processing set by the second enlargement / reduction processing setting means are switched, and the enlargement suitable for the user's designation such as a switching instruction attached to the input image data or a device user interface. Processing or reduction processing is performed by the first enlargement / reduction unit 4
02 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404.

In a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction processing switching means stores the generated print image for one page in the memory or outputs the generated print image in synchronization with the printer engine. Whether to store the generated print image for one page in the memory is characterized in that the processing set by the first enlargement / reduction processing setting means and the processing set by the second enlargement / reduction processing setting means are switched based on The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can set enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for outputting the generated print image in synchronization with the printer engine.

A twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention is an intermediate data generation means (corresponding to an intermediate data generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 1) that analyzes an input drawing command and converts it into intermediate data. Image generating means (FIG. 1) for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data.
(Corresponding to an image generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 4), and when image data is input as a drawing command, enlargement or reduction is performed when converting the image data into intermediate data. 1 scaling unit (first scaling unit 402 shown in FIG. 4)
Of the input image and a second enlarging / reducing means (corresponding to the second enlarging / reducing unit 404 shown in FIG. 4) for enlarging or reducing when drawing the intermediate data and generating the print image. A scaling factor calculation unit (corresponding to the scaling processing unit 406 shown in FIG. 4) that calculates the scaling factor of the image from the resolution and the resolution of the print image, and the scaling factor calculated by the scaling factor calculation unit is the scaling factor. In some cases, reduction processing for reducing to the same size is set in the first enlarging / reducing means, non-variable magnification processing for copying only is set in the second enlarging / reducing means, and calculated by the magnification / magnification calculating means. If the scaling ratio is enlargement / reduction, the first enlargement / reduction unit is set to the non-variable enlargement / reduction process for performing only copying, and the second enlargement / reduction unit is set to the enlargement / reduction process for performing enlargement up to the same size. Rate setting means (enlargement / reduction processing unit shown in FIG. 4 It characterized by having considerable) and 06, in accordance with scaling factor, the optimal process flow is available for selection.

A thirtieth aspect of the present invention is an intermediate data generation means (corresponding to an intermediate data generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 1) which analyzes an input drawing command and converts it into intermediate data. Image generating means (FIG. 1) for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data.
(Corresponding to an image generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 4), and when image data is input as a drawing command, the image data is converted to intermediate data and enlarged or reduced to high quality. A first enlarging / reducing unit (corresponding to the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 shown in FIG. 4) for performing the above, and a second enlarging / reducing for enlarging or reducing to the normal quality when the intermediate data is drawn and the print image is generated. Means (corresponding to second scaling unit 404 shown in FIG. 4)
And a quality specification determining means for determining whether the output quality mode of the input image data is set to high quality (see FIG. 4).
(Corresponding to the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 shown in FIG. 4) and the quality designation determining means determines that the quality designation is the normal quality designation, the second scaling means is used to perform the scaling, and the quality designation determination is performed. When it is determined by the means that the quality designation is high-quality designation, a scaling ratio setting means (corresponding to the scaling processing section 406 shown in FIG. 4) for performing scaling using the first scaling means is provided. The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can set enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the drawing condition.

In a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means performs enlargement / reduction using the second enlargement / reduction means when the quality designation is normal quality designation, and the quality designation is high. When the quality is designated, the scaling factor of the image is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, and when the scaling factor is an enlargement larger than a certain value, the first scaling means is used. When the enlargement processing for performing enlargement up to the same size is set, the non-variable magnification means for performing only copying is set for the second enlargement / reduction means, and the first enlargement is performed when the magnification is smaller than a certain fixed value. It is characterized in that non-variable magnification processing for performing only copying is set in the reduction means, and enlargement processing for performing enlargement up to the same size is set in the second enlargement / reduction means. 1 scaling unit 4
02 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404.

In a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction ratio setting means performs enlargement / reduction using the second enlargement / reduction means when the quality designation is normal quality designation, and the quality designation is high. When the quality is designated, the scaling factor of the image is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, and when the scaling factor calculated is larger than a certain value, the first scaling is performed. Enlarging processing for enlarging up to the first enlarging ratio is set in the reducing means, and enlarging processing for enlarging up to the same magnification with the second enlarging ratio is set in the second enlarging / reducing means, and the scaling ratio is set to a certain value. If it is also a small enlargement, the first
The non-variable magnification process for performing only copying is set in the enlargement / reduction means of the above, and the enlargement processing for performing enlargement up to the same size is set in the second enlargement / reduction means, and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the drawing condition is set. Can be distributed between the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404, and enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the drawing conditions can be set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. It will be possible.

A thirty-third aspect of the present invention is an intermediate data generation means (corresponding to an intermediate data generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 1) that analyzes an input drawing command and converts it into intermediate data. Image generating means (FIG. 1) for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data.
(Corresponding to an image generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 4), and when image data is input as a drawing command, enlargement or reduction is performed when converting the image data into intermediate data. 1 scaling unit (first scaling unit 402 shown in FIG. 4)
(Corresponding to the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 shown in FIG. 4), and second enlargement / reduction means for performing enlargement or reduction when drawing intermediate data and generating a print image. A first enlarging / reducing process setting unit (corresponding to the enlarging / reducing unit 406 shown in FIG. 4) that sets one of a plurality of enlarging / reducing processes as the enlarging / reducing process of the means, and a second enlarging / reducing unit. Second enlargement / reduction processing setting means (corresponding to the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 shown in FIG. 4) that sets one of a plurality of enlargement / reduction processing of When the type of the content of the image data including a natural image is determined and it is determined that the type of the input image is a character or a figure, the scaling process that saves the edge is adopted and the type of the input image is determined. Is an image, the gradation is preserved. An enlarging / reducing process switching unit (corresponding to the enlarging / reducing unit 406 shown in FIG. 4) for switching the enlarging / reducing process to the first or second enlarging / reducing process setting unit so as to adopt the enlarging / reducing process. The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 40 have an enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the drawing condition.
4, the enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the drawing condition can be set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

A thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention is an intermediate data generation means (corresponding to an intermediate data generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 1) which analyzes an input drawing command and converts it into intermediate data. Image generating means (FIG. 1) for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data.
(Corresponding to the image generation program stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG. 4), and when image data is input as a drawing command, the image data is enlarged or converted when the image data is converted into intermediate data. A first enlarging / reducing step (step S1101 in FIG. 9) for reducing, and a second enlarging / reducing step (step S1105 in FIG. 9) for enlarging or reducing when the intermediate data is drawn to generate a print image. An enlargement / reduction ratio setting step for setting the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step based on drawing conditions specified by the drawing command. (Step S70 in FIGS. 7 and 8)
6, S708, S710, S713, S715, FIG.
Steps S707, S709, S711 in FIG.
S714, S716).

A thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to the enlargement / reduction rate setting step (step S70 in FIGS. 7 and 8).
6, S708, S710, S713, S715, FIG.
Steps S707, S709, S711 in FIG.
S714 and S716) are characterized in that the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step are set according to the size of the input image data. .

A thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the enlargement / reduction rate setting step (setting step based on the determination of step S702 shown in FIG. 7, and step S shown in FIG. 8).
708, S709), based on the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step, and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step. It is characterized by setting.

A thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention is based on the scaling ratio setting step (step S70 in FIGS. 7 and 8).
6, S708, S710, S713, S715, FIG.
Steps S707, S709, S711 in FIG.
S714 and S716) are based on the relationship between the bit depth of each pixel of the input image and the bit depth of each pixel of the print image, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step, and the second enlargement / reduction ratio. It is characterized in that the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction step is set.

A thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention relates to the enlargement / reduction rate setting step (setting step based on the determination of step S703 shown in FIG. 7, and step S shown in FIG. 8).
712 to S716) sets the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step based on the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data. It is characterized by

A thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention is directed to the enlargement / reduction rate setting step (step S70 in FIGS. 7 and 8).
6, S708, S710, S713, S715, FIG.
Steps S707, S709, S711 in FIG.
S714 and S716) are based on whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format, and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement ratio or reduction of the second enlargement / reduction step. It is characterized by setting a rate and.

According to a fortieth aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing rate setting step (steps S721 to S724 based on the determination in step S720 shown in FIG. 10), the first step is based on the memory capacity installed in the device. It is characterized in that the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step are set.

In the forty-first aspect of the present invention, in the scaling ratio setting step (steps S719 to S724 based on the determination of step S718 shown in FIG. 10 or steps S712 to S716 shown in FIG. 8), the input drawing is performed. It is characterized in that the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction means are set based on the type of PDL of the command.

A forty-second invention according to the present invention is the scaling ratio setting step (step S70 in FIGS. 7 and 8).
6, S708, S710, S713, S715, FIG.
Steps S707, S709, S711 in FIG.
S714 and S716) are the first scaling step,
It is characterized in that the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step are set based on the presence / absence of the enlargement / reduction accelerator of the second enlargement / reduction step. .

In the forty-third aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction rate setting step (steps S721 to S724 based on the determination in step S720 shown in FIG. 10) includes a first enlargement / reduction step and a second enlargement / reduction step. It is characterized in that the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step are set based on the speed of the enlargement / reduction process of the step.

In the forty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the enlargement / reduction rate setting step (steps S721 to S724 based on the determination in step S720 shown in FIG. 10) includes a first enlargement / reduction step and a second enlargement / reduction step. It is characterized in that the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction means are set based on the quality of the enlargement / reduction processing result of the step.

The forty-fifth aspect of the present invention is the scaling ratio setting step (step S70 in FIGS. 7 and 8).
6, S708, S710, S713, S715, FIG.
Steps S707, S709, S711 in FIG.
S714 and S716) are based on the type of the content of the image data including the characters, figures, and natural images of the input image data, and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step and the second enlargement / reduction step. It is characterized by setting an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio.

In the forty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the scaling ratio setting step (steps S721 to S724 based on the determination of step S720 shown in FIG. 10) is a switching instruction attached to the input image data, or
It is characterized in that the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step are set based on user designation such as a user interface of the device.

A forty-seventh aspect of the present invention is directed to the enlargement / reduction rate setting step (step S720 to S724 or S72 based on the determination of step S719 shown in FIG. 10).
5, S726) is based on whether to store the generated print image for one page in the memory or to output the generated print image in synchronization with the printer engine. The reduction ratio and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step are set.

A forty-eighth aspect of the present invention is an intermediate data generating means for analyzing an input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generating means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. A drawing control method in a drawing control apparatus having: a first enlarging / reducing step of enlarging or reducing when converting image data into intermediate data when image data is input as a drawing command (step of FIG. 9). S1101) and a second enlarging / reducing step (step S110 of FIG. 9) of enlarging or reducing when drawing the intermediate data and generating the print image.
5) and a first enlarging / reducing process of the first enlarging / reducing step is set to one of a plurality of enlarging / reducing processes.
Scaling process setting step (steps S706, S708, S710, S713, S71 in FIGS. 7 and 8).
5, steps S707, S709 in FIGS.
S711, S714, S716) and a second enlargement / reduction processing setting step (in FIGS. 7 and 8) for setting one of a plurality of enlargement / reduction processing as the type of the enlargement / reduction processing of the second enlargement / reduction step. Steps S706, S708,
S710, S713, S715, steps S707, S709, S711, S714, S7 in FIGS.
16), and a scaling process switching step (step S706 in FIGS. 7 and 8) for switching between the process set in the first scaling process setting step and the process set in the second scaling process setting step according to a specific drawing condition. ，
S708, S710, S713, S715, FIGS. 7 and 8
In steps S707, S709, S711, S7
14, S716).

According to a forty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, the process set in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step and the second enlarging / reducing process based on the size of the input image data. It is characterized in that the process set in the process setting step is switched.

In a fiftieth aspect of the present invention, the enlarging / reducing process switching step is a process of setting in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step based on the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image. And the process set in the second enlargement / reduction process setting step are switched.

In the fifty-first invention related to the present invention, the enlargement / reduction processing switching step is based on a relationship between a bit depth of each pixel of an input image and a bit depth of each pixel of a printed image. It is characterized in that the process set in the scaling process setting step of 1 and the process set in the second scaling process setting step are switched.

In a fifty-second aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, a process of setting in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step and a second process based on the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data are performed. The process set in the enlarging / reducing process setting step is switched.

In a fifty-third aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, the enlarging / reducing process setting step is performed based on whether the input image data is in a reusable format or not. And the process set in the second enlargement / reduction process setting step are switched.

In a fifty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, the process of setting in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step and the second enlarging / reducing process based on the memory capacity installed in the device. It is characterized in that the process set in the setting step is switched.

In the fifty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, the process set in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step and the second enlarging process based on the type of PDL of the inputted drawing command. It is characterized in that the processing set in the reduction processing setting step is switched.

In a fifty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, the first enlarging / reducing process is performed based on the presence / absence of an enlarging / reducing accelerator in the first enlarging / reducing step and the second enlarging / reducing step. It is characterized in that the process set in the setting step and the process set in the second scaling process setting step are switched.

In a fifty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, the first enlarging / reducing process setting is performed according to the speed of the enlarging / reducing process of the first enlarging / reducing step and the second enlarging / reducing step. It is characterized in that the process set in the step and the process set in the second scaling process setting step are switched.

In a fifty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, the first enlarging / reducing process is performed based on the quality of the enlarging / reducing process result of the first enlarging / reducing step and the second enlarging / reducing step. It is characterized in that the processing set in the processing setting step and the processing set in the second enlargement / reduction processing setting step are switched.

In a fifty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, the first step is based on the type of contents of image data including input characters, figures and natural images.
It is characterized in that the process set in the scaling process setting step of 1 and the process set in the second scaling process setting step are switched.

According to a 60th aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, the first enlarging / reducing process is performed based on a switching instruction attached to the input image data or a user designation such as a user interface of a device. It is characterized in that the process set in the setting step and the process set in the second scaling process setting step are switched.

In the sixty-first aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing process switching step, the generated print image is stored in the memory for one page or the generated print image is output in synchronization with the printer engine. It is characterized in that the processing set in the first enlargement / reduction processing setting step and the processing set in the second enlargement / reduction processing setting step are switched based on

A sixty-second invention according to the present invention comprises an intermediate data generating means for analyzing an input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generating means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. A drawing control method in a drawing control apparatus having: a first enlarging / reducing step of enlarging or reducing when converting image data into intermediate data when image data is input as a drawing command (step of FIG. 9). S1101) and a second enlarging / reducing step (step S110 of FIG. 9) of enlarging or reducing when drawing the intermediate data and generating the print image.
5), and a scaling ratio calculation step of calculating a scaling ratio of the image from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image (steps S706 and S708 in FIGS. 7 and 8).
S710, S713, S715, steps S707, S709, S711, S714, S7 in FIGS.
16) and if the scaling ratio calculated in the scaling ratio calculation step is reduction scaling, a reduction process for reducing to the same size is set in the first scaling step, and the second scaling step is performed. Set non-scaling processing that only copies,
If the scaling ratio calculated in the scaling ratio calculation step is enlargement / reduction, a non-scaling process that only performs copying is set in the first enlargement / reduction step, and enlargement up to equal magnification is performed in the second enlargement / reduction step. Enlarging / reducing rate setting step for setting the enlarging process to be performed (steps S706 and S7 in FIGS. 7 and 8).
08, S710, S713, S715, steps S707, S709, S711, S71 in FIGS.
4, S716).

The 63rd invention of the present invention is: an intermediate data generating means for analyzing an inputted drawing command and converting it into intermediate data; and an image generating means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. A drawing control method in a drawing control device having: a first enlargement or reduction when converting image data to intermediate data when image data is input as a drawing command.
Scaling step (step S1101 in FIG. 9),
The second scaling step (step S1105 in FIG. 9) of enlarging or reducing to the normal quality when drawing the intermediate data and generating the print image, and the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data is the high quality setting. Quality designation determination step of determining whether or not (step S702 shown in FIG. 7))
When it is determined by the quality designation determination step that the quality designation is the normal quality designation, the scaling is performed using the second scaling step, and the quality designation is the high quality designation by the quality designation determination step. If it is determined that
An enlargement / reduction ratio setting step (step S708 shown in FIG. 7) for performing enlargement / reduction using the first enlargement / reduction step.
S709).

In the sixty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing rate setting step, if the quality designation is normal quality, the second enlarging / reducing step is used for enlarging / reducing, and the quality designation is high. If the quality is designated, the image scaling factor is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image. If the scaling factor is an enlargement larger than a certain value, the first scaling step is performed. When the enlargement processing for performing enlargement up to the same size is set, the non-variable magnification means for performing only copying is set in the second enlargement / reduction step, and if the enlargement / reduction ratio is smaller than a certain fixed value, the first enlargement It is characterized in that a non-variable magnification process for performing only copying is set in the reduction step, and an enlargement process for performing enlargement up to the same size is set in the second enlargement / reduction step.

In a sixty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the enlarging / reducing ratio setting step, if the quality designation is normal quality, the second enlarging / reducing step is used for enlarging / reducing and the quality designation is high. When the quality is designated, the scaling factor of the image is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, and when the scaling factor calculated is larger than a certain value, the first scaling is performed. First in reduction step
The enlargement processing for performing the enlargement up to the enlargement ratio is set, and the enlargement processing for performing the enlargement up to the same magnification at the second enlargement ratio is set in the second enlargement / reduction step, and the enlargement / reduction ratio is smaller than a certain fixed value. In this case, a non-variable magnification process for only copying is set in the first enlarging / reducing step, and an enlarging process for enlarging up to equal magnification is set in the second enlarging / reducing step.

A sixty-sixth invention according to the present invention comprises an intermediate data generating means for analyzing an input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generating means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. A drawing control method in a drawing control apparatus having the first enlargement / reduction step (step S1101 in FIG. 9) of enlarging or reducing when converting image data into intermediate data when image data is input as a drawing command. ) And a second enlarging / reducing step of enlarging or reducing when drawing the intermediate data and generating the print image (step S1105 of FIG. 9).
And a first enlargement / reduction processing setting step of setting one of the enlargement / reduction processing of the first enlargement / reduction step among a plurality of enlargement / reduction processing, and a type of enlargement / reduction processing of the second enlargement / reduction step. The second enlargement / reduction processing setting step (steps S706, S708, S710, S71 in FIGS. 7 and 8) for setting one out of a plurality of enlargement / reduction processing.
3, S715, step S707 in FIG. 7 and FIG.
S709, S711, S714, S716) and the type of the content of the image data including the input character, figure, and natural image, and if the type of the input image is determined to be character or figure, If the input / output image type is an image, a scaling process that saves edges is adopted, and a scaling process that saves gradation is adopted so that the scaling process is performed at the first or second scale. Enlargement / reduction processing switching step (step S7 in FIGS. 7 and 8) for switching and setting the processing setting step
06, S708, S710, S713, S715, steps S707, S709, S71 in FIGS.
1, S714, S716).

A sixty-seventh aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for implementing the drawing control method according to the thirty-fourth to sixty-sixth aspects.

A sixty-eighth aspect of the present invention is a program for realizing the drawing control method according to the thirty-fourth to sixty-sixth aspects.

[0073]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [First Embodiment] The present invention is applied to a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as LBP), and will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Before describing the configuration of this embodiment, the configuration of the LBP to which this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of a printer to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied, which corresponds to the case where the printer engine is a laser beam printer engine, for example.

In the figure, 100 is the LBP body,
Create corresponding character patterns, figures, images, etc. according to character print commands, various graphic drawing commands, image drawing commands, color designation commands, etc. supplied from an externally connected host computer (host computer 201 shown in FIG. 2). Then, an image is formed on a recording sheet which is a recording medium.

Reference numeral 151 denotes an operation panel, which is a switch for operation and an LED display or LC for displaying the status of the printer.
D display etc. are arranged. A printer control unit 101 controls the entire LBP 100 and analyzes a character print command supplied from a host computer.

The LBP in this embodiment is RGB.
Color information of M (magenta) C (cyan) Y (yellow)
Each of MCYK has an image forming / developing mechanism in order to convert into K (black) and form and develop them in parallel. The printer control unit 101 generates a print image of each MCYK, converts it into a video signal, and outputs it to each laser driver of MCYK.

M (magenta) laser driver 110
Is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 111,
The laser light 112 emitted from the semiconductor laser 111 is switched on / off according to the input video signal.
The laser beam 112 is swung in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 113 and scans the electrostatic drum 114. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character or figure pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 114. This latent image is developed by a developing unit (toner cartridge) 115 around the electrostatic drum 114, and then transferred to a recording sheet.

The C (cyan) laser driver 12
Reference numeral 0 denotes a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 121, which corresponds to the input video signal.
The laser light 122 emitted from is switched on / off. The laser light 122 is swung in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 123 and scans the electrostatic drum 124. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character or figure pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 124. This latent image is developed by a developing unit (toner cartridge) 125 around the electrostatic drum 124 and then transferred to a recording sheet.

The Y (yellow) laser driver 1
Reference numeral 30 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 131, which corresponds to the input video signal.
The laser light 132 emitted from is switched on / off. The laser beam 132 is swung in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 133 to scan the electrostatic drum 134. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character or figure pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 134. This latent image is developed by a developing unit (toner cartridge) 135 around the electrostatic drum 134 and then transferred to a recording sheet.

Also, the B (black) laser driver 1
Reference numeral 40 denotes a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 141, which corresponds to the input video signal.
The laser beam 142 emitted from is switched on / off. The laser beam 142 is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 143 to scan the electrostatic drum 144. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character or figure pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 144. This latent image is developed by a developing unit (toner cartridge) 145 around the electrostatic drum 144 and then transferred to a recording sheet.

A cut sheet is used as the recording paper,
Cut sheet recording paper is a paper feed cassette 1 attached to the LBP.
No. 02, which is held at a constant height by a spring 103, is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 104 and conveying rollers 105 and 106, and is placed on a sheet conveying belt 107 to form and develop each image of MCYK. Pass through the mechanism.

The MCYK toners (powder ink) transferred onto the recording paper by the image formation of the respective colors are fixed to the recording paper by heat and pressure by the fixing device 108, and the recording paper is conveyed by the conveying roller 109 and the conveying roller 150. By L
It is output to the upper part of the BP body.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printer control unit 101 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the printer control unit 10
1 is a host computer 2 which is a source of print information
Data 218 including drawing commands for characters, figures, and images sent from No. 01 and color information are input, and document information and the like are printed page by page.

Reference numeral 202 denotes an input / output interface section for exchanging various kinds of information with the host computer 201. Two
An input buffer memory 03 temporarily stores various information input via the input / output interface unit 202.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a character pattern generator, which includes a font information section 222 in which attributes such as the width and height of characters and the address of an actual character pattern are stored, a character pattern section 223 in which the character pattern itself is stored, And its read control program. The read control program is included in the ROM 219 and also has a code conversion function of calculating the address of the character pattern corresponding to the character code when the character code is input.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a RAM, which is a character pattern generator 2
It includes a font cache area 207 for storing the character pattern output from 04, and a storage area 206 for storing the external character font and form information sent from the host computer 201 and the current printing environment.

As described above, by storing the pattern information once expanded into the character pattern as the font cache in the font cache area 207, it is not necessary to decode the same character again to expand the pattern when printing the same character. Therefore, the expansion to the character pattern becomes faster.

Reference numeral 208 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire control system of the printer, which is the CPU 20 stored in the ROM 219.
The control program 8 controls the entire apparatus. An intermediate buffer 209 stores an internal data group generated based on the input data 218.

A renderer 210 completes the reception of data for one page, converts the data into simpler intermediate data and stores it in an intermediate buffer, and then renders it in units of several lines to generate a band as a print image. It is output to the buffer 211.

The renderer 210 can generate a drawing bitmap image of 8 bits / pixel for each color of RGB in units of several lines.

The band buffer 211 can store at least 8 lines of RGB drawing bitmap images.

The image output to the band buffer 211 is compressed by the compression unit 212 in scan line units and stored in the page memory 213.

Next, rendering of the intermediate buffer memory for one page is completed, and after storing them in the page memory 213, the decompression unit 214 reads out and decompresses them in units of several lines.

Then, the expanded data is stored in the color conversion unit 21.
5, the bitmap image of 8 bits / pixel for each color of RGB is converted into the bitmap image of 4 bits / pixel for each color of YMCK.

Next, the output interface unit 216 converts the video signal into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the printer unit 217.
A printer unit 217 is an output interface unit 216.
It functions as a printing mechanism unit of a page printer that prints image information based on the video signal from the.

As described above, in the LBP of this embodiment, since MCYK image formation and development are performed in parallel,
The output interface unit 216 includes four interface units, an M output interface unit, a C output interface unit, a Y output interface unit, and a K output interface unit, each of which is a color conversion unit 215 independently.
The dot data is acquired from the above, converted into a video signal, and laser drivers 110, 120, 130, 14 for the respective planes are acquired.
Output to 0.

Reference numeral 220 is a non-volatile memory composed of a general EEPROM or the like, and will be referred to as NVRAM (Non Vo) hereinafter.
This is referred to as "latile RAM". The NVRAM 220 stores panel setting values designated by the operation panel 151. 221 is the LBP to the host computer 201
Is the data to be sent to.

The ROM 219 analyzes data input from the host computer 201, generates intermediate data, a control program for the page memory 213, and RGB.
A color conversion table from the color space to the MCYK color space is also included.

In this embodiment, a color laser printer is described as an example of the printing apparatus, but a color printer such as a color ink jet printer or a color thermal transfer printer may be used.

Further, the renderer 210 generates a drawing bitmap image of 8 bits / pixel for each color of RGB, but it may be YMCK or gray. Further, the bit / pixel of each color may have any value. In this case, the band buffer 211, the compression unit 212, the page memory 213, and the decompression unit 214 only need to correspond to the color space and bits / pixels generated by the renderer 210.

Further, the decompressed data is stored in the color conversion unit 21.
5, the data generated by the renderer 210 is converted into the color space corresponding to the output interface unit 216, bit / bit
Anything that can be converted into pixels will do.

FIG. 3 shows the intermediate buffer 209 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the example of the intermediate data stored in.

In FIG. 3, (a) is a desired print result POUT, which is an intermediate data storage unit (intermediate buffer) 2
This corresponds to the example output from the printer unit 217 based on the intermediate data shown in FIG.

First, it is determined whether the input command is a character command, a graphic command, or an image command, and the intermediate data stored in the intermediate data storage unit 209 has respective flags as shown in FIG. 3B. There is.

Specifically, as object1, attributes: character, print position (x, y), font name, size,
It has a character code and color, and as object2, attributes:
It has figures, print positions (x, y), shapes (circles), radii, and colors. As object3, attributes: image, print position (x, y), image width, height, enlargement ratio, image entity With a pointer.

As described above, the intermediate data includes information on the shape, color, and print position of each drawing object.

When the intermediate data is drawn by the renderer 210, the desired print result PO is obtained as shown in FIG.
Similar results to UT are obtained.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of image data processing in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes an image analysis unit, and the CPU 208 analyzes the image command input from the input interface unit 202. Four
Reference numeral 02 denotes a first enlargement / reduction unit, which causes the CPU 208 to perform enlargement / reduction at a predetermined enlargement ratio or reduction ratio according to conditions. Further, the enlargement / reduction is performed by the enlargement / reduction processing method selected according to the condition.

Reference numeral 403 denotes intermediate data, which stores an image and accompanying information in the intermediate buffer 209. 40
A second enlargement / reduction unit 4 performs enlargement / reduction in the renderer 210 at a predetermined enlargement ratio or reduction ratio according to a specific drawing condition. Further, the enlargement / reduction is performed by the enlargement / reduction processing method selected according to the drawing condition. A raster memory 405 stores the drawn image in the band buffer 210. An enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 is a processing function executed by the CPU shown in FIG.
Specifically, the enlargement / reduction switching control is executed according to the procedure shown in FIGS.

The enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 performs a specific enlargement / reduction switching control based on the drawing condition according to the input drawing command.

Specifically, a print control device having an intermediate data generating means for analyzing an input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generating means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. In the drawing control device, the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 that enlarges or reduces the image data when converting the image data into the intermediate data 403.
A second enlarging / reducing unit 404 for enlarging or reducing when drawing the intermediate data 403 and generating a print image;
The enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 that determines the enlargement / reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the enlargement / reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 according to the conditions. The reduction ratio can be distributed between the first scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 404.

At this time, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 determines the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 4 according to the size of the input image data.
By determining the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of 04, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the size of the input image data is set to the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 4.
It becomes possible to allocate at 04.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 determines the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 according to the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image. By determining the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image is determined by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. Can be allocated in.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 determines, according to the relationship between the bit depth of each pixel of the input image and the bit depth of each pixel of the print image,
The enlargement or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second
By determining the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction unit 404, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the relationship between the bit depth of each pixel of the input image and the bit depth of each pixel of the printed image. Can be distributed between the first scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 404.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 sets the output image quality mode of the input image data according to the setting.
The enlargement or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second
By determining the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction unit 404 of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement unit, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data is determined. It can be distributed by the reduction unit 404.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 determines the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction according to whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format. By determining the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the unit 404, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format is determined by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit. Can be distributed by the scaling unit 404.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 determines the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the enlargement / reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 according to the memory capacity of the RAM 205 or the like mounted on the device. By determining the reduction ratio, the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can distribute the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the memory capacity installed in the device.

Further, the enlarging / reducing unit 406 expands or reduces the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404 according to the type of the PDL of the input drawing command. By determining the ratio, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the PDL type of the input drawing command can be distributed between the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

Further, the enlarging / reducing unit 406 determines whether the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404 have the enlarging / reducing accelerators.
By determining the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of 2 and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit 404, the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the enlargement / reduction accelerator of the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can be controlled. The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can distribute the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the presence or absence.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 determines the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 according to the enlargement / reduction processing speed of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. , By determining the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit 404, the enlargement ratio or reduction suitable for the speed of the enlargement / reduction processing of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. The rate of the first scaling unit 40
2 and can be distributed by the second scaling unit 404.

The enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 further enlarges or reduces the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 according to the quality of the enlargement / reduction processing result of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. And the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit 404, the enlargement ratio suitable for the quality of the enlargement / reduction processing result of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. Alternatively, the reduction ratio can be distributed between the first scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 404.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 determines the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement ratio according to the type of the content of the image data including the input characters, figures, and natural images. By determining the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the reduction unit 404, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the type of the content of the image data including the input character, figure, or natural image is set as the first enlargement / reduction unit 402. It can be distributed by the second scaling unit 404.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 issues a switching instruction attached to the input image data, or
By determining the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 according to the user designation such as the user interface of the device, the input image data can be obtained. The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can distribute an enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for a user's designation such as an attached switching instruction or a device user interface.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 determines whether to store the generated print image for one page in the memory or output the generated print image in synchronization with the printer engine. By determining the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of 402 and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit 404, the generated print image is stored in the memory for one page or the generated print image is stored. The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 40 have an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio suitable for outputting in synchronization with the printer engine.
It becomes possible to allocate at 4.

The input drawing command is analyzed,
In a drawing control device having an intermediate data generation unit for converting into intermediate data and an image generation unit for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data, when the image data is input as a drawing command, the image data is converted into the intermediate data. The first to enlarge or reduce when converting to data
Scaling unit 402 and a second scaling unit 4 that scales up or down when drawing intermediate data and generating a print image.
04, a functional process of setting one of the scaling processes of the first scaling unit 402 from a plurality of scaling processes, and a scaling process of the second scaling unit 404 of multiple types. Function processing to set one from the scaling processing,
It is characterized in that it is provided with a scaling processing section 406 that performs a functional process for switching the processing set by the first scaling section 402 and the processing set by the second scaling section 404 depending on the drawing conditions. Suitable enlargement or reduction processing is performed by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 40.
It becomes possible to set in 4.

At this time, the enlarging / reducing processing unit 406 which executes the enlarging / reducing processing switching function processing, the processing set by the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404 according to the size of the input image data. By switching the processing set in step 1, the enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the size of the input image data can be set in the first enlargement / reduction section 402 and the second enlargement / reduction section 404.

Further, the enlarging / reducing processing unit 406 which executes the enlarging / reducing processing switching function processing is performed by the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 according to the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image. 2 scaling unit 40
By switching the processing set in 4, the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 set the enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image. It will be possible.

Further, the enlarging / reducing processing unit 406 which executes the enlarging / reducing processing switching function processing, according to the relationship between the bit depth of each pixel of the input image and the bit depth of each pixel of the print image, By switching the process set by the scaling unit 402 and the process set by the second scaling unit 404, the relationship between the bit depth of each pixel of the input image and the bit depth of each pixel of the print image can be obtained. Appropriate enlargement processing or reduction processing can be set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

Further, the enlarging / reducing processing unit 406 which executes the enlarging / reducing process switching function process, the process set by the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 and the second enlarging / reducing unit according to the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data. By switching the processing set by the reduction unit 404, the enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for setting the output quality mode of the input image data can be set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. become.

Further, the enlarging / reducing processing unit 406 which executes the enlarging / reducing process switching function process determines whether the input image data is in the reusable format or not.
By switching between the process set by the scaling unit 402 and the process set by the second scaling unit 404, the scaling process or the scaling process suitable for whether the input image data is in a reusable format or not. The first scaling unit 40
2 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 for executing the enlargement / reduction processing switching function processing is the RA installed in the device.
The first enlargement / reduction unit 4 according to the memory capacity of M205 or the like.
By switching the process set in 02 and the process set in the second scaling unit 404, the scaling process or the scaling process suitable for the memory capacity installed in the device is performed by the first scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit. It can be set by the reduction unit 404.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 which executes the enlargement / reduction processing switching function process, the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 according to the PDL type of the input drawing command.
By switching between the process set in step 2 and the process set in the second scaling unit 404, the scaling process or the scaling process suitable for the type of the PDL of the input drawing command is performed by the first scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 402. It can be set by the scaling unit 404.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 for executing the enlargement / reduction processing switching function process is the first enlargement / reduction unit 40.
2 and switching between the process set by the first scaling unit 402 and the process set by the second scaling unit 404 according to the presence or absence of the scaling accelerator of the second scaling unit 404. The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can set the enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the presence / absence of the enlargement / reduction accelerator of the reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 that executes the enlargement / reduction processing switching function process is the first enlargement / reduction unit 4.
02 and the processing set by the first scaling unit 402 and the processing set by the second scaling unit 404 in accordance with the scaling processing speed of the second scaling unit 404. The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 4 perform enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the enlargement / reduction processing speed of the reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.
It becomes possible to set in 04.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 for executing the enlargement / reduction processing switching function process is the first enlargement / reduction unit 40.
2 and the processing set by the first scaling unit 402 and the processing set by the second scaling unit 404 according to the quality of the scaling processing result of the second scaling unit 404. The enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can set enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the quality of the enlargement / reduction processing result of the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

Further, the enlarging / reducing processing unit 406 for executing the enlarging / reducing process switching function processing is performed by the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 according to the type of the content of the image data such as the character / graphic / natural image of the input image data. By switching the setting process and the setting process in the second scaling unit 404, the characters of the input image data,
The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 performs enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the type of content of image data such as a figure or a natural image.
And can be set by the second scaling unit 404.

Further, the enlarging / reducing unit 406 which executes the enlarging / reducing process switching function process receives the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 according to the switching instruction attached to the input image data or the user's designation such as the user interface of the device. And the second scaling unit 4 set by
By switching the processing set in 04, a switching instruction attached to the input image data, or
The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 performs enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for user designation such as a user interface of the device.
And can be set by the second scaling unit 404.

Further, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 for executing the enlargement / reduction processing switching function processing stores the generated print image in the memory for one page or outputs the generated print image in synchronization with the printer engine. The generated print image is stored in the memory for one page or the generated print is performed by switching the process set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the process set by the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. The first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 can set enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for outputting an image in synchronization with the printer engine.

When image data is input as a drawing command, the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 for enlarging or reducing when converting the image data into intermediate data.
A second enlarging / reducing unit 404 for enlarging or reducing intermediate data and generating a print image, and a functional process for calculating the image scaling ratio from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image. Then, if the scaling ratio is reduction scaling,
If the reduction processing for performing reduction to the same size is set in the first enlargement / reduction unit 402, the non-variable magnification processing for performing only copying is set in the second enlargement / reduction unit 404, and if the scaling ratio is enlargement / reduction, An enlarging / reducing processing unit 40 that sets a non-variable-magnification process that only performs copying to the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 and a functional process that sets an enlarging process that enlarges up to the same size in the second enlarging / reducing unit 404.
By including 6, the optimum scaling processing flow can be selected according to the scaling rate.

Further, when image data is input as a drawing command, a first enlargement / reduction unit 402 for enlarging or reducing the image data in high quality when converting the image data to intermediate data, and an intermediate data is drawn to obtain a print image. A second enlargement / reduction unit 404 for enlarging or reducing to a normal quality when generating, a functional process for determining whether or not the output quality mode of the input image data is set to the high quality, and the determination If the grade designation is the normal grade designation, scaling is performed using the second scaling unit 404, and if the grade designation is the high quality designation, the scaling process is performed using the first scaling unit 402. By including the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 that performs the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406, the enlargement / reduction ratio suitable for the condition can be distributed between the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. A suitable enlargement processing or reduction processing in the first scaling section 402 will be set in the second scaling section 404.

At this time, if the quality designation is the normal quality designation, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 which performs the above-mentioned scaling function function performs the enlargement / reduction using the second enlargement / reduction unit 404, and the quality designation is performed. When high-quality designation is made, the scaling factor of the image is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, and if the scaling factor is greater than a certain value A, then the first scaling unit 402, etc. The enlargement processing for performing enlargement up to double is set, the non-variable magnification processing for performing only copying is set in the second enlargement / reduction unit 402, and if the enlargement / reduction is smaller than a certain value A, the first enlargement Reduction unit 402
By setting the non-variable magnification process for only copying to the first and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 for the enlargement process for enlarging up to the same size, the first enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the drawing condition is set.
Can be distributed between the enlarging / reducing unit 402 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404, and enlarging processing or reducing processing suitable for the drawing condition can be set in the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404. .

Further, if the quality designation is the normal grade designation, the enlargement / reduction processing unit 406 for performing the above-mentioned enlargement / reduction function processing performs the enlargement / reduction using the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.
When the quality designation is high-quality designation, the scaling factor of the image is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, and if the scaling factor is greater than a certain value A, the first scaling is performed. The enlargement processing for performing enlargement up to the enlargement ratio B is set in the unit 404, and the remaining enlargement ratio C is set in the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.
In addition to setting the enlargement process for performing enlargement up to the same size, if the enlargement ratio is an enlargement smaller than the certain value A, the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 is set to the non-variable enlargement process for performing only the second enlargement / reduction process. By setting the enlargement processing for performing enlargement up to the same size in the enlargement / reduction unit 404, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio suitable for the drawing condition can be distributed between the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction hand unit 404. Therefore, the enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for the conditions can be set by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

Further, when image data is input as a drawing command, the first enlarging / reducing unit 40 for enlarging or reducing when converting the image data into intermediate data.
2, a second enlarging / reducing unit 404 for enlarging or reducing when drawing intermediate data and generating a print image, and a type of enlarging / reducing process of the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 among a plurality of enlarging / reducing processes. From the plurality of enlargement / reduction processing, and the first enlargement / reduction setting function processing of setting one from the plurality of enlargement / reduction processing of the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. A scaling processing unit 406 is provided for performing processing and functional processing for switching the processing set in the first and second scaling setting processing depending on drawing conditions. When switching the scaling processing, input characters, figures, and natural images are input. If the input image type is a character or a graphic according to the type of the content of the image data including, the scaling process that saves the edge is adopted as the scaling process, and if the input image type is an image By switching the enlarging / reducing process which adopts the enlarging / reducing process for storing the gradation as the large / reducing process, the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 and the second enlarging / reducing unit 404 can obtain the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio suitable for the drawing condition. Allotment becomes possible, and enlargement processing or reduction processing suitable for drawing conditions can be set in the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining image calculation processing in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, which is an example of reduction processing.

In FIG. 5, (a) is the image before reduction, and if this is reduced to 1/2, the reduced image (b) is obtained. Here, three types of methods will be described and compared.

Simple Sampling Method (M1) The original image is subsampled at 1 pixel and 1 line intervals,
Obtain an image of 1/4 in area. In the example of FIG. 5, A = a, B
= C, C = i, D = k.

Averaging method (M2) A reduced image is obtained by replacing four adjacent pixels with one pixel of the average value. In the example of FIG. 5, A = (a + b + e + f) / 4, B = (c + d + g + h)
It becomes / 4.

Method of Subsampling after Filtering Process (M3) In order to suppress moire noise generated by subsampling, smoothing filtering process is performed by the smoothing filter (c) shown in FIG. 5 before sampling. After that, sampling is performed in the same manner as (M1) to obtain a reduced image.

In terms of processing speed, (M1)>(M2)>
(M3), which indicates that M1 is faster than M2.

On the other hand, in terms of image quality, (M1) <(M2) <
(M3), which has the characteristic that M2 has higher image quality than M1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining image calculation processing in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, which is an example of enlargement processing.

In FIG. 6, (a) shows an image before enlargement, and if this is enlarged twice, an enlarged image (b) is obtained. Two methods will be described and compared here.

Here, two methods, that is, the simple enlargement (nearest neighbor method) and the linear interpolation method will be described with an example of double enlargement.

Simple enlargement (nearest neighbor method (M
4)) The original image is repeated with one pixel and one line interval to obtain an image four times larger in area. In the example of FIG. 6, a = b = e = f = A, c
= D = g = h = B.

Linear Interpolation Method (M5) Pixels before enlargement are arranged at 1-pixel and 1-line intervals, and the pixels in between are calculated as an average value.

In the example of FIG. 6, a = A, c = B, i = C,
k = D, b = (A + B) / 2, j = (C + D) / 2, e
= (A + C) / 2, g = (B + D) / 2, f = (A + B
+ C + D) / 4.

The processing speed is (M4)> (M5), indicating that M4 is faster than M5.

On the other hand, the image quality is (M4) <(M5), which has the characteristic that M5 has higher image quality than M4.

7 and 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention. The CPU 20 of the printer control unit 101 is shown in FIG.
8 corresponds to the image data processing procedure. In addition, S
701 to S717 indicate each step, and the control program corresponding to the step is stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG.

First, when the CPU 208 receives the image data, the process proceeds to step S701, and the printing mode specified by the data 218 from the panel or the host computer 201 and stored in the NVRAM 220 is used (normal quality, high quality, If it is determined that it is normal quality, the process proceeds to step S721, and if it is determined to be the other mode, the process proceeds to step S702.

Then, in step S702, the NVR is performed again.
It is determined whether the quality mode of the printing apparatus stored in the AM 220 is the ultra-high quality mode. If it is determined that the mode is the ultra-high quality mode, the process proceeds to step S708, and it is determined that the high-quality mode is set. In this case, step S703
Proceed to.

Then, in step S703, it is determined whether or not the size of the input image data is equal to or smaller than the predetermined width N of the image width or height, and it is determined that the width or height of the image is smaller than the predetermined value N. If step S
If it is determined that the width or height of the image is larger than the predetermined value N, the process proceeds to step S704.
This means that a too small image such as a 1 × 1 pixel image does not require the high quality scaling process.

Then, in step S704, the scaling factor for printing the input image on the final raster is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, and it is determined whether the scaling factor is smaller than the predetermined value M, The scaling factor is a predetermined value M
If it is determined that it is smaller, the process proceeds to step S712, and if it is determined that the scaling ratio is greater than the predetermined value M, the process proceeds to step S705.

Then, in step S705, the scaling factor for printing the input image on the final raster is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, and it is determined whether the scaling factor is smaller than a predetermined value L, The scaling factor is the predetermined value L
When it is determined that it is smaller than that, the process proceeds to step S710, and when it is determined that it is larger than that, step S70.
Go to 6.

Then, in step S706, the scaling ratio and the scaling method of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 before the creation of the intermediate data shown in FIG. 4 are set. Here, the scaling factor is set to step S
The enlargement ratio calculated in 704 is set to "1/2", and the scaling method is set to "high quality".

Next, in step S707, the scaling ratio and the scaling method of the second enlarging / reducing unit 404 after the intermediate data shown in FIG. 4 is set. Here, the scaling factor is set in step S7.
The enlargement ratio calculated in 04 is "1/2", and the scaling method is "normal quality".

On the other hand, in step S710, the scaling ratio and the scaling method of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 before the intermediate data shown in FIG. 4 are set. Here, the scaling factor is set to step S
The enlargement ratio calculated in 704 is set, and the scaling method is set to “high quality”.

Then, in step S711, the scaling ratio and the scaling method of the second enlarging / reducing unit 404 after the intermediate data is created in FIG. 4 are set. Here, the scaling factor is "1: 1"
And the scaling method is "normal quality".

Here, for example, when the resolution of the final raster is "300", "600", and "1200" dpi, the values of M and L are set as follows.

Final raster resolution 300 DPI, M = 1,
L = 2 / final raster resolution 600 DPI, M = 2, L =
4 / final raster resolution 1200 DPI, M = 4, L = 8
Is.

This is the final raster resolution "600" DPI.
For example, if the enlargement ratio is less than 2 times, it is considered that high-quality enlargement is not necessary, and rendering is performed with "normal quality". If the enlargement ratio is more than 2 times and less than 4 times, Considering that it is necessary to expand the quality, expanding with “high quality”, and if the expansion rate is greater than 4 times, expanding all expansions with “high quality” will slow down the speed and divide the expansion into two stages. It indicates that the expansion will be expanded to high quality, and the latter half of the expansion will be expanded to normal quality.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S702 that the quality is "ultra high quality", then in step S708, as shown in FIG.
The scaling ratio and the scaling method of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 before the intermediate data is created are set. Here, the scaling factor is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image when the input image is printed on the final raster, and the scaling factor value is set, and the scaling method is set to "ultra high quality". Set.

Then, in step S709, the scaling ratio and the scaling method of the second enlarging / reducing unit 404 before the creation of the intermediate data in FIG. 4 are set. Here, the scaling ratio is set to 1 × and the scaling method is set to normal quality.

On the other hand, in step S712, the scaling factor for printing the input image on the final raster is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, and it is determined whether the scaling factor is smaller than a predetermined value K, If it is determined to be smaller, the process proceeds to step S715, and if it is larger than that, the process proceeds to step S713.

Here, K is multiplied by 1. That is,
If it is reduced, it is reduced before the intermediate code is created, and if it is enlarged, it is enlarged after the intermediate code is created. As a result, the data amount of the intermediate code can be minimized.

Then, in step S713, the scaling ratio and the scaling method of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 before the creation of the intermediate data in FIG. 4 are set. Here, the scaling ratio is set to "normal size", and the scaling method is set to "normal quality".

Then, a step S714 sets the scaling ratio and the scaling method of the second scaling section 404 after the intermediate data in FIG. 4 is created. Here, the scaling factor is set to step S
The enlargement ratio calculated in step 712 is set, and the scaling method is set to “normal quality”.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S712 that the scaling factor is larger than the predetermined value K, then step S715.
Then, the scaling ratio and the scaling method of the first scaling unit 402 before the creation of the intermediate data in FIG. 4 are set. Here, the scaling ratio is the reduction ratio calculated in step S712, and the scaling method is “normal quality”. Then, in step S716,
Second enlargement / reduction unit 40 after creation of the intermediate data in FIG.
Set the scaling ratio and scaling method of 4. Here, the scaling ratio is set to "normal size", and the scaling method is set to "normal quality". Then, in step S717, the process is continued.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, which corresponds to the image data processing procedure by the CPU 208 of the printer control unit 101. Note that S110
1 to S1107 indicate each step, and the control program corresponding to the step is stored in the ROM 219 shown in FIG.

Step S1101 corresponds to step S in FIG.
In the processing after 717, the image data is enlarged or reduced by the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 according to the already set enlargement / reduction ratio.

In step S1102, the image is shown in FIG.
It is converted into the intermediate data indicated by and stored in the intermediate buffer 209.

In step S1103, it is determined whether the data input from the host computer 201 has been processed for one page.

If one page has not been processed, the process returns to step S701 to analyze the next command.

If one page has been processed, the flow advances to step S1104.

In step S1104, the renderer 210
Thus, the data in the intermediate buffer 209 is read.

In step S1105, the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 enlarges or reduces the image data according to the already set enlargement / reduction ratio.

In step S1106, the data is drawn in the band buffer 211.

At step S1107, the intermediate buffer 2
From 09, it is determined whether the intermediate data has been processed for one page.

If one page has not been processed, the process returns to step S1104 to analyze the next intermediate data.

If one page has been processed, the process is terminated.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the processing is branched according to the quality mode. However, when the rough image is attached as image command with information for designating image contents such as characters, figures, and natural images. The processing may be branched according to the information.

[Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the information designating the image content is attached as an image command, but the image content may be searched to determine the image content inside the printer.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
In step S708, the scaling method was set to the ultra-high-quality method, but the approximate image is a character as an image command,
If information that specifies the image content such as a figure or a natural image is attached, select the method that retains the edge if it is a character or a graphic and the method that retains the gradation if it is a natural image. Is also good.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention. Note that S718 to S726 indicate each step.

First, in step S718, the type of PDL is determined to determine whether the type of PDL is PDL1. If it is determined that the type of PDL is PDL1, the process proceeds to step S712, and otherwise. If it is determined to be, the process proceeds to step S719. This means that a PDL that does not require high quality gives priority to speed.

Then, in step S719, it is determined whether or not the page memory 213 is provided after the renderer 210, and if it is determined that the page memory 213 is not provided, step S7 is performed.
720, if it is determined that it is equipped, step S
Proceed to 725.

This means that when the page memory 213 is not provided, it is necessary to perform the rendering in synchronization with the video signal of the printer engine, and the processing time assigned to the rendering is limited.

Then, in step S725, the scaling ratio and the scaling method are set in the first enlarging / reducing unit 402 before the intermediate data is created in FIG. Here, the scaling factor is "1: 1"
And set the scaling method to “normal quality”.

Next, in step S726, the scaling ratio and the scaling method are set in the second scaling unit 404 after the intermediate data is created in FIG. Here, the scaling ratio is set to a value calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image when the input image is printed on the final raster, and the scaling method is set to "ultra high quality". It proceeds to step S717.

This means that when the page memory is provided, it is possible to allocate sufficient time for rendering, so that slow processing can be set in the second scaling unit 404.

On the other hand, in step (719), the renderer 2
If it is determined that the page memory 213 is not provided in the 10th or later, in step (720), the quality and speed of the enlargement / reduction processing are determined, and the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 and the second enlargement / reduction unit 404 are determined. In order to allocate an appropriate process, the speed and the quality are determined, and the scaling ratio and the scaling method are allocated and set to the first scaling unit 402 and the second scaling unit 404 in steps S721 to S724, respectively. Step S
Return to 717.

Specifically, in step S720,
In the case of quality priority, the process proceeds to step S721, and in step S721, the scaling factor C of the first enlargement / reduction unit 402 is set according to the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image when the input image is printed on the final raster. The calculated value is set, and the scaling method C is set to “ultra high quality”. Then, in step S722, the second scaling unit 4
The scaling ratio D of 04 is set to the same size, and the scaling method D is set to "normal quality". Next, in step S723, when priority is given to speed quality, the process proceeds to step S721, and the following process is performed.

That is, the scaling factor X is calculated from the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image when the input image is printed on the final raster.

Next, from the time T allotted to the drawing process, the scaling process of the highest quality that can satisfy the time with the scaling factor X is selected and assigned to the second enlargement / reduction unit 404. B
= X. The scaling factor is A = 1 ×.

If there is no scaling process that can satisfy the time with the scaling factor X, the scaling factor is changed to a scaling factor Y that enables faster printing, and the scaling factor Y provides the highest quality that can satisfy the time. A scaling process is selected and assigned as the second scaling unit 404. The scaling factor is B = Y.

Further, the scaling factor Z = X / Y is set to the scaling factor A = Z of the first enlarging / reducing unit 402. First scaling unit 40
As the scaling method of 2, it is possible to select a method suitable for the enlargement ratio.

Further, if the scaling factor Y does not satisfy the time T allotted to the drawing process, the above process may be repeated.

In this way, the scaling factors A and B are determined.

[Sixth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment,
Although the determination is made based on the speed and the quality in step S720 shown in FIG. 10, it may be branched depending on the capacity of the intermediate buffer 209.

In this case, if the number of intermediate buffers 209 is small, the process proceeds to step S723, and if the memory is large, the process proceeds to step S721.

Taking the enlargement as an example, the high-quality enlargement is performed at the enlargement ratio calculated in step S721, the same enlargement is made in step S722, the same enlargement is made in step S723, and the high enlargement is made in the calculated enlargement ratio in step S724. Enlargement is recommended.

[Seventh Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment, the determination is made based on the speed and the quality in step S720, but it may be branched depending on whether or not the input image can be reused.

In this case, if reusable, step S
If it is not possible, the process proceeds to step S723.

Taking the enlargement processing as an example, step S721.
In step S722, it is recommended to set high-quality enlargement with the calculated enlargement ratio, in step S722 to set equal-magnification, and in step S723, to obtain high-quality enlargement. It

Therefore, when the intermediate data is reused, there is an advantage that the time for performing the enlargement process again can be saved even if the intermediate data capacity increases.

The configuration of the data processing program that can be read by the printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not particularly shown, information for managing the program group stored in the storage medium, such as version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as the program, is stored. In some cases, an icon or the like for identification and display is also stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the above directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in a computer, or a program for decompressing the program to be installed when it is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 in this embodiment are installed by an externally installed program.
It may be performed by the host computer. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention can be applied to a case where an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium recording the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP of the system or apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by U) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM or the like can be used.

Further, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that the processing includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

[0230]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the sixty-eighth invention, a drawing control device having an intermediate data generating means for analyzing the input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generating means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. In the case where image data is input as a drawing command, a first enlarging / reducing means for enlarging or reducing the image data when converting the image data to intermediate data, and enlarging when drawing the intermediate data and generating a print image. Alternatively, since the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio for the second enlargement / reduction means for performing reduction is set and controlled based on the drawing condition specified by the drawing command, the image quality according to the drawing condition is maintained and the processing speed is reduced. It is also possible to freely construct a drawing processing environment that can efficiently obtain the output result that has been reduced and enlarged with the quality desired by the user. There is an effect that it is.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printer to which a print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer control unit shown in FIG.

3 is a diagram showing an example of intermediate data stored in an intermediate buffer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of image data processing in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an image calculation process in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating image calculation processing in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

201 host computer 202 input / output interface with host computer 203 input buffer 204 character pattern generator 205 RAM 208 CPU 210 renderer 211 band buffer 212 compression section 213 page memory 214 decompression section 215 color conversion section 216 output interface section 217 printing mechanism section 218 Input data 219 ROM 220 NVRAM 221 data 222 Font information section 223 Character pattern section

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2C087 AA11 AB01 AB05 AC08 BA01                       BA02 BA03 BA05 BA06 BA08                       BA09 BD06 BD24 BD31 BD40                 5B021 AA01 AA19 DD15 LB07                 5B057 AA20 CA12 CA16 CA19 CB12                       CB16 CD05                 5C076 AA21 AA22 AA27 BA05 CA10                       CB05

Claims (68)

[Claims] 1. A drawing control device comprising: an intermediate data generation unit that analyzes an input drawing command and converts it into intermediate data; and an image generation unit that generates a print image by drawing the intermediate data. When image data is input as a drawing command,
First enlarging / reducing means for enlarging or reducing when converting the image data into intermediate data; second enlarging / reducing means for enlarging or reducing when drawing the intermediate data to generate a print image; Enlargement / reduction ratio setting means for setting the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction means based on the drawing condition specified by the drawing command; A drawing control device comprising: 2. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting unit sets the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit according to the size of the input image data. The drawing control device according to claim 1, wherein the drawing control device is set. 3. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting means, based on the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means, and the second enlargement / reduction ratio.
2. The drawing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction unit is set. 4. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting unit is configured to determine a first depth based on a relationship between a bit depth of each pixel of an input image and a bit depth of each pixel of a print image.
2. The drawing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction unit and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit are set. 5. The enlarging / reducing rate setting means sets the first image quality based on the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data.
2. The drawing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction unit and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit are set. 6. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting means, based on whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format, the enlarging / reducing ratio of the first enlarging / reducing means;
2. The drawing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction unit is set. 7. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting unit sets an enlarging ratio or reducing ratio of the first enlarging / reducing unit and an enlarging ratio or reducing ratio of the second enlarging / reducing unit based on a memory capacity installed in the device. The drawing control device according to claim 1, wherein 8. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting means, based on the type of PDL of the input drawing command, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means and the enlargement / reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction means. The drawing control device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is set. 9. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting means, based on the presence / absence of the enlargement / reduction accelerator of the first enlargement / reduction means and the second enlargement / reduction means, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means, 2. The drawing control device according to claim 1, wherein an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit is set. 10. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting means, based on the speed of the enlargement / reduction processing of the first enlargement / reduction means and the second enlargement / reduction means, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means. 2. The drawing control device according to claim 1, wherein an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit is set. 11. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting means sets the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means based on the quality of the enlargement / reduction processing result of the first enlargement / reduction means and the second enlargement / reduction means. The drawing control device according to claim 1, wherein the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit is set. 12. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting means sets the enlarging ratio or reducing ratio of the first enlarging / reducing means based on the type of the content of the image data including the characters, figures, and natural images of the input image data. 2. The drawing control device according to claim 1, wherein an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit is set. 13. The enlarging / reducing rate setting means is a switching instruction attached to the input image data, or
An enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction means based on a user specification such as a user interface of the device;
2. The drawing control device according to claim 1, wherein an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit is set. 14. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting means stores the generated print image for one page in a memory or outputs the generated print image in synchronization with a printer engine. 2. The drawing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction unit and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction unit are set. 15. A drawing control device comprising: an intermediate data generation unit that analyzes an input drawing command and converts it into intermediate data; and an image generation unit that generates a print image by drawing the intermediate data. , When image data is input as a drawing command,
First enlarging / reducing means for enlarging or reducing when converting the image data into intermediate data; second enlarging / reducing means for enlarging or reducing when drawing the intermediate data and generating a print image; There are a plurality of types of enlarging / reducing processing of the second enlarging / reducing means, and a first enlarging / reducing processing setting means for setting one of the enlarging / reducing processing of one enlarging / reducing means among a plurality of enlarging / reducing processing. Second enlarging / reducing processing setting means for setting one of the enlarging / reducing processing, processing set by the first enlarging / reducing processing setting means and setting by the second enlarging / reducing processing setting means according to a specific drawing condition. And a scaling process switching unit that switches the process to be performed. 16. The enlarging / reducing process switching unit performs a process of setting by the first enlarging / reducing process setting unit and a process of setting by the second enlarging / reducing process setting unit based on the size of the input image data. 16. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein the drawing control device is switched. 17. The enlarging / reducing processing switching means sets the processing by the first enlarging / reducing processing setting means and the second enlarging / reducing processing setting based on the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image. 16. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein the process set by the means is switched. 18. The enlarging / reducing process switching unit sets by the first enlarging / reducing process setting unit based on a relationship between a bit depth of each pixel of an input image and a bit depth of each pixel of a print image. Processing and second
16. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein the processing set by the enlargement / reduction processing setting means is switched. 19. The enlarging / reducing processing switching means sets the first enlarging / reducing processing setting means based on the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data and the second processing.
16. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein the processing set by the enlargement / reduction processing setting means is switched. 20. The enlargement / reduction processing switching means sets the first enlargement / reduction processing setting means and the second enlargement / reduction processing based on whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format. 16. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein the process set by the process setting means is switched. 21. The enlarging / reducing process switching unit switches between a process set by the first enlarging / reducing process setting unit and a process setting by the second enlarging / reducing process setting unit based on a memory capacity installed in the device. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein: 22. The enlarging / reducing processing switching means sets the processing by the first enlarging / reducing processing setting means and the second enlarging / reducing processing setting means based on the type of the PDL of the input drawing command. 16. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein the drawing control device is switched over. 23. The enlarging / reducing process switching unit sets a first enlarging / reducing process and a first enlarging / reducing process setting unit based on the presence / absence of an enlarging / reducing accelerator of the second enlarging / reducing unit. 16. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein the process set by the enlargement / reduction process setting unit 2 is switched. 24. The enlarging / reducing process switching means sets the first enlarging / reducing means and the second enlarging / reducing means according to the speed of the enlarging / reducing processing of the second enlarging / reducing means and the second enlarging / reducing processing setting means. 16. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein the processing set by the enlargement / reduction processing setting means is switched. 25. The enlarging / reducing process switching means sets the first enlarging / reducing means and a process of setting the first enlarging / reducing processing setting means based on the quality of the enlarging / reducing processing result of the second enlarging / reducing means. 16. The drawing control apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processing set by the second enlargement / reduction processing setting means is switched. 26. The enlarging / reducing process switching unit sets the first enlarging / reducing process setting unit based on the type of the content of the image data such as characters / figure / natural image of the input image data, and a second process. 16. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein the processing set by the enlargement / reduction processing setting means is switched. 27. The enlarging / reducing process switching unit sets the first enlarging / reducing process setting unit based on a switching instruction attached to the input image data or a user designation such as a user interface of the device. 16. The drawing control device according to claim 15, wherein the process set by the enlargement / reduction process setting unit 2 is switched. 28. The enlargement / reduction processing switching unit stores the generated print image for one page in a memory or outputs the generated print image in synchronization with a printer engine. 16. The drawing control apparatus according to claim 15, wherein processing set by the reduction processing setting means and processing set by the second enlargement / reduction processing setting means are switched. 29. A drawing control device comprising: an intermediate data generation unit that analyzes an input drawing command and converts it into intermediate data; and an image generation unit that generates a print image by drawing the intermediate data. , When image data is input as a drawing command,
First enlarging / reducing means for enlarging or reducing when converting image data into intermediate data, and second enlarging / reducing means for enlarging or reducing when drawing intermediate data and generating a print image are input. From the image resolution and the print image resolution,
A scaling factor calculating means for calculating a scaling factor of an image, and when the scaling factor calculated by the scaling factor calculating means is a scaling factor, a reduction process for reducing to the same magnification is set in the first scaling part. However, if the non-variable magnification process for copying only is set in the second enlargement / reduction means, and if the magnification / reduction ratio calculated by the magnification / reduction calculation means is enlargement / reduction, only the first enlargement / reduction means is copied. Set the variable scaling process to be performed, and
And a scaling ratio setting unit for setting a scaling process for scaling up to a normal size. 30. A drawing control device comprising: an intermediate data generation unit that analyzes an input drawing command and converts it into intermediate data; and an image generation unit that generates a print image by drawing the intermediate data. , When image data is input as a drawing command,
A first enlarging / reducing unit for enlarging or reducing the image data to high quality when converting the image data into intermediate data, and a second enlarging / reducing unit for enlarging or reducing the intermediate data to a normal quality when generating the print image. Reduction means, quality specification determining means for determining whether or not the output quality mode of the input image data is set to high quality, and the quality specification determining means determines that the quality specification is normal quality specification. Enlarging / reducing using the second enlarging / reducing means, and enlarging / reducing using the first enlarging / reducing means when the quality designation determining means determines that the quality designation is high-quality designation. Reduction ratio setting means,
A drawing control device comprising: 31. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting means performs enlarging / reducing using the second enlarging / reducing means when the grade designation is the normal grade designation, and inputs when the grade designation is the high grade designation. The scaling factor of the image is calculated from the resolution of the image and the resolution of the printed image, and if the scaling factor is an enlargement larger than a certain value, enlargement processing is performed to the first enlargement / reduction unit up to the same size. Is set, and the non-variable magnification means for copying only is set to the second enlargement / reduction means, and when the magnification is an enlargement smaller than a certain value, only the first enlargement / reduction means is copied. 31. The drawing control apparatus according to claim 30, wherein a scaling process is set, and a scaling process for scaling up to the same size is set in the second scaling unit. 32. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting means performs enlarging / reducing using the second enlarging / reducing means when the grade designation is the normal grade designation, and inputs when the grade designation is the high grade designation. A scaling factor of the image is calculated from the resolution of the image and the resolution of the printed image, and if the scaling factor calculated is an enlargement larger than a certain value, the first enlargement / reduction unit is provided with the first enlargement ratio. When the enlargement processing for performing enlargement is set, and the enlargement processing for performing the enlargement up to the same magnification at the second enlargement ratio is set in the second enlargement / reduction unit, and the magnification is smaller than a certain fixed value, 31. The drawing control apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the first scaling means sets a non-variable magnification process for performing only copying, and the second scaling means sets a scaling process for scaling up to the same size. . 33. A drawing control device comprising: an intermediate data generation unit that analyzes an input drawing command and converts it into intermediate data; and an image generation unit that generates a print image by drawing the intermediate data, When image data is input as a drawing command,
First enlarging / reducing means for enlarging or reducing when converting image data into intermediate data; second enlarging / reducing means for enlarging or reducing when drawing intermediate data and generating a print image; The enlarging / reducing means of the first enlarging / reducing means sets one of the enlarging / reducing processing types of the enlarging / reducing means of the plurality of enlarging / reducing processing, The second enlarging / reducing process setting means for setting one of the reducing processes and the type of the content of the image data including the input characters, figures, and natural images are determined, and the type of the input image is a character. If it is determined that it is a figure, the scaling process for saving the edge is adopted, and if the type of the input image is image, the scaling process for saving the gradation is adopted. In front A drawing control device, comprising: an enlarging / reducing process switching unit for performing switching setting with respect to the first or second enlarging / reducing process setting unit. 34. A drawing control method in a drawing control device, which has an intermediate data generation unit for analyzing an input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generation unit for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. And when image data is input as a drawing command,
A first enlarging / reducing step of enlarging or reducing when converting image data into intermediate data; a second enlarging or reducing step of enlarging or reducing when drawing the intermediate data and generating a print image; The scaling factor or scaling factor of the first scaling step,
An enlargement / reduction ratio setting step of setting the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step based on the drawing condition specified by the drawing command. 35. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting step sets the enlarging ratio or reducing ratio of the first enlarging / reducing step and the enlarging ratio or reducing ratio of the second enlarging / reducing step according to the size of the input image data. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein the drawing control method is set. 36. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting step, based on the relationship between the resolution of an input image and the resolution of a print image, the enlarging / reducing ratio of the first enlarging / reducing step and the second enlarging / reducing step. 35. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio is set. 37. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting step is based on the relationship between the bit depth of each pixel of the input image and the bit depth of each pixel of the print image, or the enlargement ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step. Reduction rate,
35. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step is set. 38. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting step is based on the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data, and the enlarging ratio or reducing ratio of the first enlarging / reducing step,
35. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step is set. 39. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting step is based on whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format, and the enlargement / reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction step and the second enlargement / reduction ratio. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio of the reduction step is set. 40. The enlarging / reducing rate setting step includes an enlarging rate or reducing rate of a first enlarging / reducing step and an enlarging rate or reducing rate of a second enlarging / reducing step based on a memory capacity installed in the device. 35. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein 41. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting step is based on the type of PDL of an input drawing command, and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the first enlargement / reduction unit and the enlargement ratio or reduction of the second enlargement / reduction unit. 35. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein the ratio is set. 42. The enlarging / reducing rate setting step includes a first step.
The scaling rate of the first scaling step and the scaling rate of the second scaling step based on the presence or absence of the scaling accelerator of the second scaling step and the scaling step of the second scaling step. 35. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein: 43. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting step comprises the first step.
The enlargement / reduction step of the second enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement / reduction rate of the first enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement / reduction rate of the second enlargement / reduction step based on the speed of the enlargement / reduction processing of the second enlargement / reduction step. 34.
The described drawing control method. 44. The enlarging / reducing rate setting step includes a first step.
Based on the quality of the scaling process result of the second scaling step and the scaling ratio of the first scaling means and the scaling rate of the second scaling means. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein the drawing control method is set. 45. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting step includes an enlarging ratio or a reducing ratio of the first enlarging / reducing step based on the type of the content of the image data including characters, figures, and natural images of the input image data, 35. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step is set. 46. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting step determines the enlarging / reducing ratio of the first enlarging / reducing step based on a switching instruction attached to the input image data or a user designation such as a user interface of the device. 35. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step is set. 47. The enlargement / reduction ratio setting step is based on whether to store the generated print image for one page in the memory or to output the generated print image in synchronization with the printer engine. The drawing control method according to claim 34, wherein the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the enlargement / reduction step and the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of the second enlargement / reduction step are set. 48. A drawing control in a drawing control device having an intermediate data generation means for analyzing an input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generation means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. Method, when image data is input as a drawing command,
A first enlarging / reducing step of enlarging or reducing when converting the image data into intermediate data; a second enlarging or reducing step of enlarging or reducing when drawing the intermediate data and generating a print image; A first scaling process setting step of setting one of the scaling processes of one scaling step among a plurality of scaling processes; and a plurality of scaling processes of the second scaling step. The second enlargement / reduction processing setting step of setting one of the enlargement / reduction processing of the above, the processing set in the first enlargement / reduction processing setting step and the second enlargement / reduction processing setting step according to a specific drawing condition. An enlarging / reducing process switching step of switching the process to be performed. 49. The enlarging / reducing process switching step includes a process of setting in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step and a process of setting in the second enlarging / reducing process setting step based on the size of the input image data. 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein switching is performed. 50. The enlarging / reducing process switching step includes a process of setting in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step and a second enlarging / reducing process setting based on the relationship between the resolution of the input image and the resolution of the print image. 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein the process set in the step is switched. 51. The enlarging / reducing process switching step is set in a first enlarging / reducing process setting step based on a relationship between a bit depth of each pixel of an input image and a bit depth of each pixel of a print image. 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein the processing to be performed and the processing set in the second enlargement / reduction processing setting step are switched. 52. The enlarging / reducing process switching step is set in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step and the second enlarging / reducing process setting step based on the setting of the output quality mode of the input image data. 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein the processing to be performed is switched. 53. The enlarging / reducing process switching step includes a process of setting in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step and a second enlarging / reducing process based on whether or not the input image data is in a reusable format. 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein the process set in the process setting step is switched. 54. The enlarging / reducing process switching step switches between a process set in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step and a process setting in the second enlarging / reducing process setting step based on a memory capacity installed in the device. 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48. 55. The enlarging / reducing process switching step is based on a PDL type of an input drawing command,
The processing set in the first enlargement / reduction processing setting step and the second
49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein the process set in the enlarging / reducing process setting step is switched. 56. The enlarging / reducing process switching step includes a process of setting in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step based on the presence / absence of the enlarging / reducing accelerator in the first enlarging / reducing step and the second enlarging / reducing step, and 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein the processing set in the enlargement / reduction processing setting step of 2 is switched. 57. The enlarging / reducing process switching step comprises a first enlarging / reducing step and a second enlarging / reducing step setting step according to a speed of the enlarging / reducing step of the second enlarging / reducing step and a second enlarging / reducing step setting step. 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein the process set in the enlarging / reducing process setting step is switched. 58. The enlarging / reducing process switching step includes a process of setting in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step based on the quality of the enlarging / reducing process result of the first enlarging / reducing step and the second enlarging / reducing step. 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein the processing set in the second enlargement / reduction processing setting step is switched. 59. The enlarging / reducing process switching step includes a process of setting in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step and a second enlarging process based on the type of the content of the image data including the input character, figure, and natural image. 5. The process set in the reduction process setting step is switched.
8. The drawing control method described in 8. 60. The enlarging / reducing process switching step includes a process of setting in the first enlarging / reducing process setting step based on a switching instruction attached to the input image data or a user designation such as a user interface of a device. 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein the processing set in the enlargement / reduction processing setting step of 2 is switched. 61. The enlarging / reducing process switching step is based on whether to store the generated print image for one page in the memory or output the generated print image in synchronization with the printer engine. 49. The drawing control method according to claim 48, wherein the processing set in the reduction processing setting step and the processing set in the second enlargement / reduction processing setting step are switched. 62. A drawing control in a drawing control device having an intermediate data generating means for analyzing an inputted drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generating means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. Method, when image data is input as a drawing command,
A first enlarging / reducing step for enlarging or reducing when converting image data into intermediate data, and a second enlarging or reducing step for enlarging or reducing when drawing intermediate data and generating a print image are input. From the image resolution and the print image resolution,
A scaling ratio calculation step of calculating a scaling ratio of the image, and a scaling process for scaling down to the same size in the first scaling step when the scaling ratio calculated in the scaling ratio calculation step is a scaling scaling However, if the non-variable magnification process for performing only copying is set in the second enlargement / reduction step, and if the enlargement / reduction rate calculated by the enlargement / reduction calculation step is enlargement / reduction, only copy is performed in the first enlargement / reduction step. And a scaling ratio setting step for setting a scaling process for performing a scaling up to the same size in the second scaling step. 63. A drawing control in a drawing control device having an intermediate data generation means for analyzing an input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generation means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. Method, when image data is input as a drawing command,
A first scaling step for enlarging or reducing to high quality when converting image data to intermediate data, and a second enlarging or reducing step for enlarging or reducing to normal quality when drawing intermediate data and generating a print image. When a reduction step, a quality specification determination step that determines whether or not the output quality mode of the input image data is set to a high quality setting, and a quality specification determination step determines that the quality specification is a normal quality specification If scaling is performed using the second scaling step and it is determined in the grade designation determination step that the grade designation is high grade designation,
And a scaling rate setting step for performing scaling using the scaling step of. 64. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting step performs enlarging / reducing using a second enlarging / reducing step when the grade designation is a normal grade designation, and inputs when the grade designation is a high grade designation. The scaling factor of the image is calculated from the resolution of the image and the resolution of the printed image, and if the scaling factor is an enlargement larger than a certain value, the enlargement process is performed in the first enlargement / reduction step to the same size. Set the second
In the scaling step, the non-scaling process that only copies is set, and if the scaling factor is an enlargement smaller than a certain value, set the non-scaling process that only copies in the first scaling step. 64. An enlargement process for performing enlargement up to the same size is set in the second enlargement / reduction step.
The described drawing control method. 65. The enlarging / reducing ratio setting step performs enlarging / reducing using a second enlarging / reducing step when the grade designation is a normal grade designation, and inputs when the grade designation is a high grade designation. A scaling factor of the image is calculated from the resolution of the image and the resolution of the printed image, and if the scaling factor calculated is larger than a certain value, the first
The enlargement / reduction step is set to enlargement processing up to the first enlargement ratio, and the second enlargement / reduction step is set to enlargement processing up to the same magnification at the second enlargement / reduction step. When the enlargement is smaller than the value, the non-variable magnification process for copying only is set in the first enlargement / reduction step, and the second enlargement / reduction process is performed.
65. The drawing control method according to claim 64, wherein in the enlarging / reducing step, the enlarging process for enlarging to the same size is set. 66. A drawing control method in a drawing control device having an intermediate data generation means for analyzing an input drawing command and converting it into intermediate data, and an image generation means for generating a print image by drawing the intermediate data. And when image data is input as a drawing command,
A first enlarging / reducing step of enlarging or reducing when converting image data into intermediate data; a second enlarging / reducing step of enlarging or reducing when drawing intermediate data and generating a print image; Of the enlargement / reduction processing of the first enlargement / reduction step of setting one of the enlargement / reduction processing of the enlargement / reduction step of The second enlarging / reducing process setting step of setting one of the reducing processes and the type of the content of the image data including the input characters, figures, and natural images are determined, and the type of the input image is a character. If it is determined that it is a figure, the scaling process that saves the edge is adopted. If the type of the input image is image, the scaling process that saves the gradation is adopted. A scaling control switching step for switching and setting the scaling processing with respect to the first or second scaling processing setting step as described above. 67. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the drawing control method according to claim 34. 68. A program that realizes the drawing control method according to claim 34.