JP2889390B2 - Printer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device for printing using a buffer memory such as a page buffer.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a printer device in which a character pattern or image for printing is developed in a buffer memory, video data is created by reading the buffer memory, and the video data is supplied to a printing unit to perform printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printer device such as a laser printer or a dot printer, a print content including a character pattern and an image is once expanded in a page memory, and is sequentially stored in a page memory.
In many cases, data is read out line by line and supplied to a printing unit to perform printing. Here, since the character pattern is often input to the printer as a character code, it is developed into each character pattern by a character generator. These character patterns are written in the corresponding print positions in the page memory.
The image data input as a bit pattern is similarly written as it is at the corresponding print position in the page memory.

In such a printer, two or more page memories are usually prepared to speed up the printing process. While the print contents are being developed in one page memory, the print contents are read from another page memory which has already been subjected to such development processing.

[0004]

By the way, the size of each page in each page memory is related to the maximum size of printing paper to be printed by the printer device. That is, for example, a printer capable of performing A3 size printing requires twice as much memory capacity as a page memory of a printer performing only A4 size printing. Therefore, a printer device that prints on a relatively large size printing paper requires an excessive memory capacity as a page buffer, considering that a plurality of page buffers are required. For this reason, in a printer device capable of printing on a relatively large printing paper, there is a problem that an expensive large-capacity memory must be used as a memory.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer device capable of reducing the capacity of a buffer memory such as a page buffer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of achieving a reduction in buffer memory even when printing two or more colors.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided: (a) a position serving as a starting point for printing each area where character patterns and images are continuous by decoding received print data; (B) starting point storage means for storing a starting point for each of these areas; and (c) at least a part of a blank area which is not printed and exists between the areas. In the form excluding, the print contents of each area are expanded by decoding the print data.
A buffer memory for storing the data as bit data, (d) reading means for reading the print contents of these areas as video data from the buffer memory in accordance with the starting point of each area stored in the starting point storing means, and (e) reading means for the reading means. And a printing unit for inputting and printing the video data read from the printer.

[0008] In this invention according to claim 1, respectively corresponding to the printing position to the conventional page memory for had written a character pattern or image, respectively successive as bit data character pattern or image is expanded Are stored in the buffer memory in such a manner that at least a part of a blank area which is not printed and exists between these areas is removed. As a result, the capacity of the buffer memory can be reduced and
Printing without complicated bit data expansion processing
Speed up processing . According to the first aspect of the present invention, instead of this, the positions which are the starting points of these areas are determined, and these are stored in the starting point storing means, and the starting points of the respective areas stored in the starting point storing means are determined. At the same time, the video data is read out.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, (a) the received print data is decoded to determine a position serving as a starting point and a print color for each continuous area of a character pattern or image. and regional origins, print color determining means for the origin storage means for storing the origin for each (b) these areas, a printing color storage means for storing the print color for each (c) of these regions, (d) area The print content of each of these areas is expanded by decoding the print data , excluding at least a part of the blank area that is not printed between the
A buffer memory for storing as bit data
In accordance with the origin of the area stored in the (e) the starting point storage means, reading means for reading the printed contents of these areas from the buffer memory as video data, (f) for each region stored in the print color memory means Read out print color and video
The printer device is provided with a printing unit for associating the video data with the data and printing these video data in respective printing colors.

In other words, the invention according to claim 2 relates to a printer device for printing in a plurality of printing colors, and is characterized in that each area in which character patterns and images are continuous is written in a buffer memory. This is the same as the described invention. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the starting point storing means, a printing color storing means for storing a printing color for each area is prepared, and the buffer memory can be efficiently reduced even in a printer device using a plurality of printing colors. I did it.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of a circuit configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11. The CPU 11 transmits a signal R via a bus 12 such as a data bus.
OM 13, RAM 14, page memory 15, printing unit 1
6, connected to the shift control circuit 17 and the communication control device 18. However, an interface circuit for inputting and outputting data with this circuit is not shown.

In the printer 10, the ROM 13 is constituted by a read-only memory storing a program for controlling the operation of each section of the printer. RAM14
Is a random access memory for storing temporary data when performing various controls. Page memory 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a memory for storing character patterns and images for printing. In this embodiment, the page memory 15 has two areas, and when one side is writing an image or the like, video data is read out on the other side. The printing unit 16 includes a laser printer, and prints an image in line units. The shift control circuit 17 is a circuit mainly composed of a shift register and is a circuit that outputs video data in line units. The communication control device 18 is a device that exchanges data relating to printing with a host computer (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows the principle of the circuit configuration of the main part of such a printer. The communication controller 18 shown in FIG. 1 of the printer device 10 includes an input register 22 for receiving input data 21 sent from a host computer (not shown). Here, the input data 21 includes various control data in addition to print data such as character codes and image data.

The input data stored in the input register 22 by a predetermined unit amount is stored in a data buffer 23.
The input data stored to some extent in the data buffer 23 is output to the output register 24, for example, one word at a time. The input data output from the output register 24 is input to the decoder 25, where it is determined whether the input data is print data or control data. If the input data is control data indicating the type of font, the control data 27 is supplied to a font memory 28 to select a corresponding font. Then, when print data is supplied subsequently, a character pattern corresponding to these print data 29 is read from the font memory and developed as bit data 31 on the page memory 15.

When the character code is input, the decoder 25 stores the character pattern as continuous bit data 31 up to which position in the page memory 15 using the data on the font size. Is to be calculated. This calculation result is 1 composed of continuous bit data 31.
The attribute memory 3 represents the end position of one rectangular area and pointer information 32 indicating the start position of the next area.
3.

On the other hand, the decoder 25 also determines a blank area after a character code or an image continues. When a blank area is determined, a blank determination signal 35 is supplied to the page memory 15. In the state where the blank discrimination signal 35 is supplied, the page memory 15 does not update the address in the direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction of the printing line of the printing paper (not shown). Then, when the output of the blank discrimination signal 35 is cut off and the supply of the print data 29 is restarted next, the bit data 31 output from the font memory 28 is written into the page memory 15 from the start position of the new rectangular area. Will be.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are for explaining the relationship between the print content sent from the host computer and the arrangement of the bit data in the page memory. FIG. 3 shows an example of the print content created by the host computer. In this example, there is a rectangular area 41 in which a character pattern of “ABC Corporation” is continuously written at a relatively upper position on one page,
In its origin namely FIG leftmost coordinate is in the (x _1, y _1). In addition, an area 42 in which a character pattern “XYZ” is continuously written exists at the lower right of this page, and the coordinates of the starting point are (x ₂ , y ₂ ). Portions other than these areas 41 and 42 are blank areas where no characters or images exist.

[0019] In one page in the memory area 15A of the page memory shown in FIG. 4, it is arranged bit data 41A in the region 41 above the address AD ₀ of the head acting as a start point, the other address AD _n starting Area 4
Two bit data 42A are arranged. However the address AD _n has a value that is achieved when arranged closest to cause the upper end of the region 42 at the lower end of the region 41.
That is, in this example, two bit data 41A, 42A
Are arranged without gaps in the address increasing direction.

In FIG. 4, the memory area 15A for one page is shown in principle in comparison with FIG. 3, so that a considerable blank area 43 still exists on the right side of the bit data 41A and 42A. Looks like you do. However, the page memory 15 of this embodiment is not designed to manage addresses by using a very long bit string corresponding to the width of one page as one word, but to change the width of one page to a normal bit length. Are divided into a plurality of words, and addresses are managed in units of these words. Therefore, even if the blank area 43 is generated, it becomes a small amount even if it occurs, so that more data than one page can be stored in the conventional memory area 15A for one page.

Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. The page memory 15 efficiently stores character pattern and image bit data in such a manner that blank areas are removed in the address direction. Then, the address indicating the head position of the area composed of each set of bit data is
It is stored in the attribute memory 33 as pointer information 32.
Therefore, when reading the print data from the page memory 15, one line of video data is stored in the shift control circuit 17, and the pointer information 32 stored in the attribute memory 33 is stored in a desired area for each corresponding area. 3, a blank area between the areas 41 and 42 shown in FIG. 3 is set, and printing by the printing unit 16 is enabled in the form shown in FIG.

For this purpose, an output register 45 is arranged on the output side of the attribute memory 33. Output register 45
Is supplied with data (x, y) indicating the coordinates of the starting point for each area from the attribute memory 33 and the start address AD for each of these areas (bit data) in the page memory 15 so as to be set. Has become. The start address AD is supplied to the page memory 15,
It is determined from which address the bit data of the next area is stored. The X coordinate of the data (x, y) indicating the coordinates of the starting point is the shift control circuit 1
7, the Y coordinate is sent to the output control circuit 49,
Each is used for output control of the video data 46 sent to the printing unit 16.

The output control of the video data 46 is shown in FIG.
This will be described more specifically with an example. First, the output register 45
The coordinates (x₁, Y₁) And start address AD
Is registered. The printing unit 16 starts printing operation in this state
Then, the printing unit 16 synchronizes with the printing operation of each line.
The synchronized signal 48 is supplied to the output control circuit 49. output
The control circuit 49 sequentially counts this, and the value is y₁To
When it arrives, the first one line for the page memory
Is set in the shift control circuit 17. this
Is determined based on the start address AD.
In the case of, the bit data representing the character pattern of the area 41
The bit string of the first one line of the data 41A is shifted.
Is set in the control circuit 17. Shift control circuit 17
Is the first clock of one line
Counting from the ₁Until you reach
"0" is output in synchronization with this clock. And that
Is x₁Is reached, the shift control circuit 17 is set.
The output bit string is output following this.

[0024] is set in the bit string is sequentially shifted control circuit 17 for each line constituting the bit data 41A in the same manner, the video data are sequentially output in a form which has been adjusted by the value x _1. Thus, bit data 4
When the output of the video data in the area 41 corresponding to 1A is completed, the coordinates (x ₂ ,
Similar control is performed based on y ₂ ). As a result, Y
Until the coordinate y ₂ is reached, the shift control circuit 17 outputs video data consisting of all “0” signals for each line, and the printing unit 16 expresses this as blank (non-printing area). Will be. In the same manner, printing proceeds in a printing mode similar to that shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows how printing data writing control is performed in the printer of this embodiment. Note that, in order to simplify the description, a case where characters are printed will be described. C shown in FIG.
The PU 11 inputs one-word input data from the output register 24 shown in FIG. 2 to the decoder 25 (step S1).
01), it is determined whether or not this corresponds to print data representing a character to be printed (step S102). Here, blanks are not included in the print data. If it is not print data (N), it is determined whether the data is a data group necessary for calculating a continuous area of print data (step S103). Such data is, for example, data necessary for calculating the starting point of each area 41 and 42 shown in FIG. 3 and the start address of each area in the page memory 15. However, for this calculation, data representing the size of the area is provided as described later.

If the data is necessary for calculating the area (Y), it is determined whether or not this is data indicating the end of the area (step S104). For example, data representing a space is data indicating the end of an area. If the data does not indicate the end of the area (N), the current area is provisionally calculated using the data that has arrived at present (step S105). For example, the start position of the current area can be obtained from the number of spaces and line feeds from the end position of the previous area, and the area can be calculated from the number of characters that continuously exist after this (area size described later). Can be obtained at the current position of the rear end. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the data indicates the end of the area (Y), the end of the current area is determined by this.
Then, the start address and the coordinates of the starting point of the area revised using the values provisionally calculated are written in the attribute memory 33 (step S106). Then, the next one word is read (step S101). Step S1
The same applies when the processing of step 05 is completed.

On the other hand, for the data that has not been determined to be necessary for calculating the area in step S103, it is checked whether this is data indicating the end of printing (step S107). If the data is the print end data (Y), the control of the writing of the print data is ended (end).

Next, a case where the data is determined to be print data in step S102 will be described. In this case (Y), a character pattern corresponding to the character code is generated using the corresponding font (step S108). After this, the CPU 11
Checks whether the word read immediately before is print data (step S109). If the read word is not print data (N), the area is switched to a new area. Therefore, the address of the page memory 15 is incremented by one. Then, the character pattern is stored in a new area (step S110). Then, using the predetermined area of the RAM 14, the size of the area corresponding to the currently written character pattern is newly set (step S111).

On the other hand, if the previous word is also print data (Y), the area is not switched. Therefore, in this case, the currently generated character pattern is stored in the area currently written in the page memory 15 (step S112). In this case, the size of the same area is increased by the size of the current character pattern (step S111).
After the operation of step S111, step S101 is performed again.
Return to and continue the work. In this way, the size of the area is sequentially increased until the area end data is read, and this is reflected in the provisional calculation of the area in step S105.

The page memory 1 is controlled by the above control.
5, each area is arranged without a gap in the direction of address advance. The attribute memory 33 stores data (x, y) indicating the coordinates of the starting point for each area, and these areas (bit data) in the page memory 15. Start address A for each
D will be stored.

FIG. 6 shows a print sample as a modification of the present invention. This print sample 51
The two areas 52 and 53 are printed in black, and the other area 54 is printed in red. Conventionally, such 2
When performing color printing, a page memory for two pages is prepared.

FIG. 7 shows the principle of the storage state of the buffer memory in the printer of this modification. In the buffer memory 55, bit data of each printing color is arranged as areas 52A, 54A, 53A with no gaps. The attribute memory (not shown) stores data representing the print color in addition to the data (x, y) indicating the coordinates of the starting point for each of the start address AD and the area. As described above, with respect to a printer device of two or three or more printing colors, the memory can be used more efficiently.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, a character pattern or an image is formed in a form excluding at least a part of a blank area where printing is not performed.
Are expanded and each area that continues as bit data
Since the data is stored in the buffer memory while being divided for each area, the capacity of the buffer memory can be significantly reduced, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced. Further
Processing of complex bit data such as font data
Provide a device that performs high-speed print processing without performing processing
be able to. Also, if the data stored in the buffer memory is printed out as it is, the data can be output in a compressed form, saving printing paper and reducing communication costs for facsimile transmission using this printing paper. Can be planned.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, this is particularly necessary in a mode in which a chromatic color is used as an additional color such as an underline as in an apparatus for printing in two colors of black and red. since less amount of bit data, it can be performed substantially print two colors or three colors in one page memory, multiple such simple and inexpensive font data
High-speed printing without complicated bit data expansion processing
An advanced function such as two-color printing or multi-color printing can be realized by a device that performs processing .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a circuit configuration of a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that embodies a circuit configuration of a main part of the printer device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print content created by a host computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement state of data in a buffer memory in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a state in which print data writing control is performed in this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a print sample of a printer device according to a modified example of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement state of data stored in a buffer memory according to a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 printer device, 11 CPU, 13 ROM, 1
4 RAM, 15 page memory, 16 printing unit, 17
... Shift control circuit, 25 ... Decoder, 33 ... Attribute memory, 45 ... Output register, 46 ... Video data, 49 ...
Output control circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-251977 (JP, A) JP-A-63-254074 (JP, A) JP-A-63-205269 (JP, A) JP-A-2- 63780 (JP, A) JP-A-63-723 (JP, A) JP-A-2-266965 (JP, A) JP-A-2-45172 (JP, A) JP-A-2-210528 (JP, A) JP-A-64-18637 (JP, A) JP-A-61-251976 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 5/30 B41J 21/00 G06F 3/12

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An area-based starting point determining means for decoding received print data and determining a starting position for each area in which a character pattern or an image is continuous, and for each of these areas, Starting point storage means for storing the starting point, and in a form excluding at least a part of a blank area which is present between the areas and is not printed, the print content of each of these areas is developed by decoding the print data. Bit data
A read-out means for reading out the print contents of these areas from the buffer memory as video data in accordance with the starting point of each area stored in the starting-point storage means, and a video read out from the read-out means. A printing unit for inputting data and performing printing. 2. An area-based starting point / printing color determining means for decoding received print data and determining a printing position and a position serving as a starting point of printing for each continuous area of character patterns and images. Starting point storage means for storing the starting point for each of these areas; printing color storage means for storing a printing color for each of these areas; and at least one blank area between the areas where printing is not performed. Bit data obtained by decoding the print contents of each of these areas by decoding
A buffer memory for storing, as the video data, readout means for reading out the print contents of these areas from the buffer memory in accordance with the starting point of each area stored in the starting point storage means; A printing unit that reads a print color for each area, associates the read color with the video data, and prints the video data in each print color.