JP2989727B2 - Printing apparatus and printing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method for performing printing based on a generated character pattern by performing character expansion processing using character expansion processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus which has a secondary storage device and performs printing using a character expansion mechanism provided on a RAM, a character expansion mechanism provided on the RAM of the printing apparatus has a Regardless of whether or not a font corresponding to the character development mechanism is used, the font is always provided on the RAM of the printing apparatus.

[0003] Further, a means for storing a font data to be expanded into a character pattern by the character expansion mechanism in the RAM by the character expansion mechanism, a character expansion mechanism and an R
There has been proposed a printing apparatus including means for deleting font data stored on an AM. In this type of printing apparatus, the deletion of the character expansion mechanism is performed by converting the font data to be expanded into a character pattern by the character expansion mechanism into R.
It had nothing to do with deletion from the AM.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, in a printing apparatus having a secondary storage device and performing printing using a character development mechanism provided on a RAM,
Even when the font corresponding to the character expansion mechanism is not used, the RAM of the printing apparatus is used by the character expansion mechanism.
There is a problem that an area is used.

Further, in the above-described conventional example, when an unnecessary character expanding mechanism is to be deleted in the printing apparatus, it is not possible to delete from the RAM font data expanded into a character pattern by the character expanding mechanism. There is a problem that the RAM area is used by font data of a character expansion mechanism that does not exist in the printing apparatus.

Further, in printing, when deleting a character development mechanism that is no longer needed and deleting font data developed into a character pattern from the RAM by the character development mechanism, the character development mechanism is deleted. Instructions,
There has been a problem that two instructions regarding deletion of font data must be given to the printing apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is intended to eliminate a character expansion processing mechanism for expanding font data into a character pattern based on input information. The character expansion processing mechanism is deleted, and the character pattern expanded and stored by the character expansion processing mechanism is also deleted. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method that can simultaneously secure deletion of an occupied character pattern and ensure free space in a memory.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a determination is made as to whether or not to delete a character expansion processing mechanism for expanding font data into a character pattern based on input information. Means, and mechanism deleting means for deleting the character expansion processing mechanism when it is determined by the determining means to delete the character expansion processing mechanism,
When the determining means determines that the character expansion processing mechanism is to be deleted, the character expansion processing mechanism has character pattern deletion means for deleting the stored character pattern.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the input information is font information or deletion instruction information. In a third aspect according to the present invention, the input information is information for instructing replacement of the character development processing mechanism. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the deletion is for releasing memory occupation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing method for a printing apparatus including a character expansion processing mechanism for expanding font data into a character pattern based on input information. A determining step of determining whether to delete the mechanism, and, if the determining step determines that the character expanding processing mechanism is to be deleted, a mechanism deleting step of deleting the character expanding processing mechanism; and the determining step, And a character pattern deleting step of deleting a character pattern which is expanded and stored by the character expansion processing mechanism when it is determined that the character expansion processing mechanism is to be deleted.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the input information is font information or deletion instruction information. In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the input information is information for instructing replacement of the character expansion processing mechanism. In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, the deletion is for releasing memory occupation.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that a character development processing mechanism for developing font data into a character pattern is to be deleted based on the input information, the mechanism deletion means is used by the mechanism deletion means. And the character pattern deletion means is expanded by the character expansion processing mechanism to delete the stored character pattern, and simultaneously deletes unnecessary character patterns developed by the deleted character expansion processing mechanism. Then, a state of occupying the memory is avoided to secure an effective free space.

In the second to fourth inventions, it is determined that the character development processing mechanism for developing the font data into the character pattern is deleted based on the input font information and the instruction to replace the character development processing mechanism. This avoids the situation where the character expansion processing mechanism and the character pattern expanded by the character expansion processing mechanism occupy the memory.

In the fifth invention, when it is determined that the character development processing mechanism for developing the font data into the character pattern is deleted based on the input information,
The character expansion processing mechanism is deleted, and at the same time, the character patterns that are expanded and stored by the character expansion processing mechanism are deleted, and unnecessary character patterns that are expanded by the deleted character expansion processing mechanism are simultaneously deleted. do it,
Avoid the state of occupying the memory and secure an effective free space.

In the sixth to eighth inventions, it is determined that the character development processing mechanism for developing the font data into the character pattern is deleted based on the input font information and the instruction to replace the character development processing mechanism. This prevents the character expansion processing mechanism and the character pattern expanded by the character expansion processing mechanism from occupying the memory.

[0016]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] Before describing the configuration of this embodiment, the configuration of a laser beam printer to which this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of a laser beam printer to which the present embodiment is applied. The laser beam printer is configured so that a character pattern can be registered and a fixed format (form data) can be registered from a data source (not shown). I have.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a laser beam printer (LBP) main body (hereinafter, simply referred to as a main body), which is a character supplied from an external device 209 such as a host computer shown in FIG. In addition to inputting and storing information (character code), form information, macro instructions, and the like, a corresponding character pattern, form pattern, and the like are created in accordance with the information, and an image is formed on a recording sheet as a recording medium. Reference numeral 112 denotes an operation panel provided with switches for operation and an LED display or an LCD display for displaying the status of the printer. 101 denotes a printer which controls the entire LBP 100 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. It is a control unit. The printer control unit 101 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 102. The laser driver 102 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 103, and switches on / off a laser beam 104 emitted from the semiconductor laser 103 according to an input video signal. Thus, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 106. 105 is a polygon mirror.

This latent image is developed by the phenomenon unit 107 around the electrostatic drum 106 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet is stored in a paper cassette 108 mounted on the main body 100 and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 109 and transport rollers 110 and 111 to be transferred to the electrostatic drum 10.
6.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration of the main body 100 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, an input interface 201 for inputting print data from an external device 209 such as a host computer, and a CPU for controlling the entire main body 100 are provided.
202, a ROM 203 storing operation processing procedures of the CPU 202, character font patterns, and the like, and a RAM used as a frame memory for expanding an output image
204, a secondary storage device 205 such as a hard disk,
An output unit 207 for printing an output image, an output interface 206 for outputting the output image to the output unit 207, and a system bus 208 for transferring data and the like between these components are provided.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram for explaining the print control mechanism of the main body 100 shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, reference numeral 312 denotes an external device such as a host computer; 301, an input unit for receiving data;
2 is a reception buffer for temporarily storing received data,
Reference numeral 303 denotes an analysis unit for analyzing input data; 304, a page buffer for storing the result of the analysis; 305, a development unit for developing the page buffer 304 into an output image such as a bitmap memory based on the contents; A character developing mechanism provided on the RAM, which is started by the developing unit 305, a frame memory 308 for storing a developed output image, and a reference numeral 309, according to the frame memory 308, an output mechanism 310 such as a laser beam. The output unit 311 to be controlled is a recording medium.

According to the first printing apparatus constructed as described above, the comparison means (in this embodiment, the CPU 202) designates character development designation information (font data 401 (to be described later) designated in the input font data. ) Is compared with character expansion processing mechanism information (a flag indicating the presence or absence of a character expansion mechanism in a table 400 described later) set in the RAM 204 as an internal memory, and based on the comparison result. Then, the character expansion mechanism stored in the external memory (in this embodiment, for example, the secondary storage device 205 composed of a hard disk) is transferred to the internal memory, and the control means controls the replacement of the character expansion processing mechanism. Any necessary character expansion processing mechanism is set in the internal memory according to the expansion processing, and unnecessary character expansion processing mechanisms are released from internal memory occupation. Rukoto is possible.

FIG. 4 is a table corresponding to a table for explaining the relationship between the locations of a plurality of character expansion mechanisms according to the present invention and the designation of the character expansion mechanisms. FIG. 4A shows, for example, the ROM 20 shown in FIG.
3 shows a character expansion mechanism information table 400 provided in the character expansion mechanism 1 (in this embodiment, RA).
M204), the equipment status of the character expansion mechanism 2 (in this embodiment, provided on the secondary storage device 205) is set by turning on / off a flag. (B) shows character development mechanism designation information in the input font data 401.

As shown in this figure, in order to identify the correspondence between the character expansion mechanism and the font data 401 expanded into a character pattern by the character expansion mechanism, and whether the character expansion mechanism is provided in the printing apparatus main body. Whether or not the type of character expansion mechanism provided on the printing apparatus necessary to determine whether or not the character expansion mechanism is stored in the RAM 204 and whether the character expansion mechanism is provided in the printing apparatus. Secondary storage device 20
5 is a table 40 indicating whether or not it is stored on
0 and an information section 401 provided on the font data 401 side for indicating the type of a character developing mechanism for developing into a character pattern.

When the printing apparatus receives the data for changing the font type, the character developing mechanism corresponding to the information section 401 in the font data is printed in the table 400 in the printing apparatus by the corresponding character developing mechanism. It is determined whether the device is installed in the device and whether it is stored in the secondary storage device 205.

Hereinafter, the operation of the first character developing mechanism determination processing in the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a character expansion mechanism determination processing procedure. (1) to (8) indicate each step. First, in the data reception waiting state of the printing apparatus, C
The PU 201 detects the presence or absence of data output from the external device 209 through the input interface 201 (1). In this detection process, when data reception is detected, the CPU 202 determines whether the data is a command to change the type of font to be used (2). If it is determined in step (2) that the received data is not a command to change the type of font to be used, the CPU 201 performs a process corresponding to the command, and after the process is completed, To receive the next data,
The data reception wait state is set (3).

If it is determined in step (2) that the instruction is for changing the type of font to be used,
U201 determines in step (4) whether or not the main body is equipped with a character expansion mechanism corresponding to the font. If it is determined in this determination that the character expansion mechanism corresponding to the font to be changed is provided in the printing apparatus main body, the font is changed in step (8), and the process returns to step (1). , And enters a data reception waiting state.

If it is determined in step (4) that the character developing mechanism corresponding to the font to be changed is not provided in the printing apparatus main body, in step (5), the character developing mechanism corresponding to the font is changed. It is determined whether or not the mechanism is stored in the secondary storage device 205. If it is determined that the character expansion mechanism corresponding to the font to be changed is not stored in the secondary storage device 205 of the printing device,
Since it is impossible to print the characters in the font, error processing is performed, and the data reception wait state is set (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that the character expansion mechanism corresponding to the font to be changed is stored in the secondary storage device 205 of the printing apparatus, the character expansion mechanism is stored in the secondary storage device. From device 205 to RAM 204
(7).

Thereafter, in step (8), a font change process is performed.

As described above, according to the first printing method, the character expansion designation information specified in the input font data is compared with the character expansion processing mechanism information set in the internal memory. Based on the result, the character expansion mechanism stored in the external memory is transferred to the internal memory to control the replacement of the character expansion processing mechanism. And unnecessary character expansion processing mechanism can be released from the occupation of the internal memory.

As described above, when using a font that is developed into a character pattern by the character development mechanism provided on the RAM 204, the character development mechanism stored in the secondary storage device 205 is stored in the RAM 204. After the transfer, the font is changed, and printing is performed using the character expansion mechanism transferred to the RAM 204 and the font data corresponding to the character expansion mechanism.

When a font that is developed into a character pattern by a character development mechanism already provided in the printing apparatus is used, the character development mechanism that is not used is printed without being transferred from the secondary storage device 205 to the RAM 204. I do. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 7 shows FIG.
FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a print control mechanism of the main body 100 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 501 denotes font data.
The character pattern is developed into a character pattern by the character development mechanism 306 and stored in the RAM 204. Reference numeral 502 denotes font data, which is expanded into a character pattern by the character expansion mechanism 307 and stored in the RAM 204.

According to the second printing apparatus configured as described above, when it is determined that the character development processing mechanism for developing the font data into the character pattern is deleted based on the input information, Deletion means (in this embodiment,
The CPU 202) deletes the character expansion processing mechanism, and at the same time, the character pattern deletion means (in this embodiment, the CPU 202) is expanded by the character expansion processing mechanism, deletes the stored character pattern, and is deleted. Unnecessary character patterns developed by the character development processing mechanism are deleted at the same time, thereby avoiding the state of being occupied on the memory and securing an effective free space.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a character expansion mechanism determination processing procedure. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step. First, in a state where the printing apparatus is waiting for data reception,
The CPU 202 detects the presence or absence of data output from an external device 209 such as a host computer through the input interface 201 (1). When the reception of the data is detected, the CPU 202 determines whether or not the data is an instruction to delete the character expansion mechanism stored in the RAM 204 from the RAM 204 (2). If it is determined that the instruction is not an instruction to delete the stored character expansion mechanism from the RAM 204, the CPU 020 performs a process corresponding to the instruction, and after completion of the process, receives the next data. The data reception wait state is set (3).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the received data is a command to delete the character expansion mechanism stored in the RAM 204 from the RAM 204, the CPU 202 proceeds to step (4).
The corresponding character expansion mechanism is deleted from the RAM 204.

After the processing of step (4), the CPU 202
Means that the font data developed into the character pattern by the character development mechanism deleted in step (4) is stored in the RAM 2
It is determined whether or not the information is stored on the file 04 (5).

If it is determined in this determination that the font data to be expanded into the character pattern by the character expansion mechanism deleted in step (4) is not stored in the RAM 204, the next data is received. Then, the process returns to step (1), and waits for data reception.

On the other hand, the RAM 2
If it is determined that font data to be expanded into a character pattern by the character expansion mechanism deleted in step (4) is stored on
It is deleted from the AM 204 (6).

After the processing of step (6), the printing apparatus returns to step (1) to receive the next data, and waits for data reception.

As described above, from the RAM 204,
After the designated character expansion mechanism and the font data to be expanded into the character pattern by the character expansion mechanism are deleted, the printing apparatus operates the RAM 204 from which the data is deleted.
The printing process is performed using.

As described above, according to the second printing method, the deletion of any one of the character expansion processing mechanisms set in the memory is designated, and the character expansion processing mechanism designated for deletion and the character designated for deletion are designated. Since both of the font data generated by the expansion processing mechanism and stored in the memory are simultaneously deleted, the font data expanded by the character expansion processing mechanism is simultaneously deleted only by the deletion instruction of the character expansion processing mechanism. It is possible to do.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the character expansion mechanism to be deleted from the printing apparatus is stored in the RAM 204. However, instead of the RAM 204, a removable storage device for expansion (ROM for expansion) is used. The same processing can be applied to the character expansion mechanism stored in. In this case, the determination of the command in steps (1) and (2) of the above-described flowchart is performed by removing the storage device component or the like.

[0048]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, when it is determined that the character expansion processing mechanism for expanding the font data into the character pattern is to be deleted based on the input information, the mechanism deletion unit deletes the character expansion processing mechanism. In addition, since the character pattern deletion means is expanded by the character expansion processing mechanism and deletes the stored character pattern, the character pattern which becomes unnecessary by being expanded by the deleted character expansion processing mechanism is simultaneously deleted. An effective free space can be secured by avoiding the state of occupying the top.

According to the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, the character expansion processing mechanism for expanding the font data into the character pattern is deleted based on the input font information and the instruction to replace the character expansion processing mechanism. Since the determination is made, the situation where the character expansion processing mechanism and the character pattern expanded by the character expansion processing mechanism occupy the memory can be timely avoided.

As described above, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the character expansion processing mechanism for expanding the font data into the character pattern is deleted based on the input information. In addition, the character expansion processing mechanism is deleted, and at the same time, the character pattern developed and stored by the character expansion processing mechanism is deleted. At the same time, it is possible to avoid the state of being occupied on the memory and to secure an effective free space.

According to the sixth to eighth aspects of the present invention,
Based on the input font information and the instruction to replace the character expansion processing mechanism, it is determined that the character expansion processing mechanism for expanding the font data into a character pattern is to be deleted. It is possible to timely prevent the character pattern from being occupied in the memory.

Therefore, a desired character pattern can be efficiently developed and output even with a small capacity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a laser beam printer to which the present embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a main body shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a print control mechanism of the main body shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a table correspondence diagram illustrating a relationship between locations of a plurality of character expansion mechanisms and designation of the character expansion mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first character development mechanism determination processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a print control mechanism of the main body shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second character expansion mechanism determination processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 main unit 201 input interface 202 CPU 203 ROM 204 RAM 205 secondary storage device 206 output interface 207 output unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 5/30 B41J 5/44 G06F 3/12

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] A determining means for determining whether or not a character developing mechanism for developing font data into a character pattern is to be deleted based on input information; and determining the character developing mechanism by the determining means. A mechanism deleting unit that deletes the character expansion processing mechanism when it is determined that the character expansion processing mechanism is to be deleted; and a storage unit that is expanded by the character expansion processing mechanism when the determination unit determines that the character expansion processing mechanism is to be deleted. And a character pattern deleting unit for deleting a character pattern that has been set. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input information is font information or deletion instruction information. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input information is information for instructing replacement of the character development processing mechanism. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deletion is for releasing memory occupation. 5. A font file based on input information.
Expansion mechanism for expanding data into character patterns
A printing method in a printing apparatus comprising: A judgment to determine whether to delete the character expansion processing mechanism.
Disconnection process, In the determining step, the character expansion processing mechanism is deleted.
Deletes the character expansion processing mechanism
Mechanism removing process, In the determining step, the character expansion processing mechanism is deleted.
If it is determined that the character expansion processing mechanism
Characters that delete expanded and stored character patterns
A pattern deletion process, A printing method comprising: 6. The input information includes font information or font information.
Is deletion instruction information.
Printing method. 7. The method according to claim 7, wherein the input information is a character expansion process.
Information for instructing the replacement of the management mechanism.
The printing method according to claim 5, wherein 8. The deletion is for releasing memory occupation.
6. The printing method according to claim 5, wherein: