JPH09174959A - Output unit and output method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an output unit in which the image of an outputted figure can be grasped even under memory full state where the volume of intermediate data exceeds the residual capacity of a memory means at the time of storing an input data while converting into an intermediate data. SOLUTION: An output data is stored in a memory means while being converted into a corresponding intermediate data, which is then developed into a bit map and outputted based on the bit map. In such an output unit, an intermediate data producing a figure having smallest area is retrieved when a decision is made that the data being stored exceeds the capacity of memory means and that intermediate data is erased from a recording means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention converts a received page description code into intermediate data, stores the converted page intermediate code, and then expands the stored intermediate data into a bit map so as to convert the page description code. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an output device and an output method for outputting a graphic described by a code.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a host computer such as a personal computer, an operator draws a screen using a page description language (that is, inputs codes or data defining the screen). This page description language is designed so that it is easy for the operator to recognize and the number of input data is small, and an example thereof is illustrated in FIG. In the figure, for example, the page description code 201 has a center coordinate of (1000, 18
75) shows an example of a page description code for drawing a circle with a radius of 500 in black. Hereinafter, the page description code refers to data defining a figure or character input according to the page description language.

In order to control a mechanism for finally outputting a print pattern, such as a print head, a left and right driving mechanism of the print head and a paper feeding mechanism, or a laser, a laser scanning mechanism and a drum, each pixel in a printing device is controlled. Requires the corresponding bitmap. This bitmap has 1-bit data indicating the presence / absence of printing for each pixel. For example, for a 1-page screen composed of 2481 × 3508 pixels illustrated in FIG. 10, 2481 × 3508 is displayed.
Has a data length of bits.

In the case of a low-function printing device, the page description code is expanded into a bit map on the host computer side and the expanded bit map is sent to the printing device side so that the necessary output is performed. However, according to this method, the load on the host computer increases. Therefore, in the case of a high function printing device, the process of expanding the page description code into a bitmap is performed on the printing device side.

In developing the page description code into a bit map, a method of once converting it into intermediate data is widely used. For example, when the page description code is a code "drawing a circle", it is converted into data indicating a regular polygon having many vertices. If converted to intermediate data of this format, it can be expanded into a bitmap faster than the process of expanding directly into a bitmap from the definition of "drawing a circle". Various formats have been proposed for this intermediate data. As in the example described above, an example of converting a curved figure into a linear figure approximating (hereinafter referred to as apex format), pixel forming means (for example, a laser in the case of a laser printer). ) Of each scan line into data indicating the print start position and the print end position (hereinafter referred to as run length format), if the bitmap corresponding to the page description code is already stored, There is an example of converting to a storage address, or an example of finally expanding it to a bit map and then processing it as intermediate data like other intermediate data. In the case of the last example, the intermediate data that has already been converted into a bitmap is copied as it is to be expanded into a bitmap. Moreover, the same printing device may have intermediate data in a plurality of formats. For example, a specific page description code may be converted into a run length format, and another specific description code may be converted into a vertex format.

Furthermore, a method called band processing has become widespread in order to develop a page description code for one page into a bitmap. In this method, one page is composed of a plurality of areas (each area is called a band), and each area is developed into a bitmap. In this case, at least two band buffers that temporarily store the developed bitmap are used, and printing to one area is performed based on the bitmap stored in one of the band buffers. The band expansion processing is advanced for the band of, and the expanded bitmap is stored in the other band buffer. When the output to one area and the expansion of the bitmap to the next area are completed, the bitmap expanded to the other band buffer continues to output to the next area (band), and at the same time parallel to it. Then, the process of expanding to a bitmap in another band is continued. According to this method, it suffices to use two band buffers having a storage capacity capable of covering a partial area in one page. Therefore, it is developed by dividing one page into three or more bands. It is possible to reduce the total storage capacity of the band buffer that stores the bitmap.

FIG. 1 shows a control system diagram of a printing apparatus for executing both conversion processing into intermediate data and band processing. The printer 1 includes a host computer 2 and a signal line 3.
It is used by connecting with a processor CPU (hereinafter CPU
4) is built-in. That is, the CPU 4, the interface 5,
ROM ROM (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 6, RAM RAM
7 (hereinafter referred to as RAM) is connected by a bus 8 to form a computer system, and the printing means 9 is controlled by this computer system. The interface 5 sends and receives data to and from the host computer 2.

In the ROM 6, a program for receiving the page description code 10 sent from the host computer 2 and storing it in the reception buffer 11, a program for converting the page description code 10 stored in the reception buffer 11 into intermediate data, A program that expands the converted intermediate data into a bitmap, a program that controls the printing unit 9 based on the expanded bitmap, and the like are stored.
In addition, in case the page description code 10 is a character code, a bit map forming a character specified by the character code is stored. The bitmap for this character is stored in the font ROM 12.

In the RAM 7, in addition to the reception buffer 11, areas (16, 17), (18, 19), (20, 21) for storing intermediate data for each band 13, 14, 15 are provided.
Two band buffers 23 and 24 and work memory 22
And have

The work memory 22 is used for various print data processes such as a process of converting the page description code 10 into intermediate data, a process of expanding the intermediate data into a bitmap, a process of controlling the printing means 9 by the bitmap, and the like. Used to store data temporarily. This each band 1
The sizes of 3 to 15 and the work memory 22 are not fixed,
Can be resized (resized) as needed.

Area (16, 1) for storing intermediate data
7), (18, 19), (20, 21) exist by the number n of bands that divide one page, and store intermediate data for each band. The intermediate data is composed of a packet and shape intermediate data or a packet and character intermediate data. Each packet is provided for each page description code, and includes an identifier 25, a color 26, a position 27, and a pointer 28. The color 26 indicates the color of the figure or character described by the page description code, and the position 27 indicates the position on the page of the figure or character described by the page description code, which is the page description code itself or the page description code. Determined from the order in which they are sent. Pointer 28
Indicates, by an address, a storage location of intermediate data corresponding to the shape of a figure or a character. For example, when a circle is approximated by a polygon, it indicates the stored address of vertex coordinates that define the shape of the polygon. . When the description code is a character code, it indicates the address in the font ROM 12 in which the bitmap for the character corresponding to the character code is stored. Shape intermediate data other than a predetermined pattern such as characters, for example, intermediate data defining a polygon, is stored in the shape intermediate data group storage area 1 in the RAM 7.
Stored in 7, 19, 21 and pointer 28 points to the address. The identifier 25 indicates in what format the intermediate data is stored, for example, whether an address in the font ROM 12 is designated, polygon shape data in the shape intermediate data group is designated, or in the shape intermediate data group. This indicates the format of the intermediate data such as whether the address of the data indicating the run length data or the bit mat is designated.

In the case of this printing apparatus 1, the reception buffer 11
After the page description code is stored in, the page description code is converted into intermediate data of a format suitable for the type of the page description code, and the converted intermediate data is stored in the intermediate data storage area corresponding to the area (band). After the conversion processing of the intermediate data for one page is completed, the two band buffers 23 and 24 are
The band processing is executed while alternately using the, and printing for one page is executed.

The above band processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG. That is, after the print engine is activated, the intermediate data of the band B1 is bit map expanded in the band buffer 23. The bitmap data of the band buffer 23 is transferred to the print engine, and the area 1 of the paper P is printed. At the same time, the intermediate data of band B2 is expanded in the band buffer 24 as a bitmap. The bitmap data of the band buffer 24 is transferred to the print engine, and the area 2 of the paper P is printed. At the same time, the intermediate data of band B3 is bit-mapped in the band buffer 23. The bitmap data of the band buffer 23 is transferred to the print engine, and the area 3 of the paper P is printed. At the same time, the intermediate data of band B4 is bit map expanded in the band buffer 24. The bitmap data of the band buffer 24 is transferred to the print engine, and the area 4 of the paper P is printed. The bands B1 to B4 are the band 1 in FIG.
It corresponds to 3, 14 and 15 and corresponds to four bands of n = 4.

[0014]

In the case of the printing apparatus 1 described above, the bands 13, 14 and 15 are the page description codes from the host computer 2, for example, flowers and stems as shown in FIG. When the page description code for printing the figure F composed of leaves is converted into intermediate data and stored, the amount of intermediate data increases because the flower portion is composed of circles and a large number of diagonal lines. When the amount of intermediate data in the flower portion increases and the remaining memory capacity of the band runs out, the CPU 4 confirms that the memory is full. When this memory full occurs, conventionally, the intermediate data stored in each band until then is discarded and the page is not printed (blank page).
Alternatively, printing is performed halfway based on the intermediate data until the memory full occurs. Therefore, it is difficult to grasp the print image of the entire page.

Therefore, in the present invention, when the above memory full occurs, the intermediate data stored in the storage means is stored.
Among the data, a graphic having an area smaller than a predetermined value is searched, the intermediate data of the searched graphic is erased, and the remaining memory capacity of the storage means is increased to continue the intermediate data storage processing. The problem is to output so that the output image of the entire page can be grasped.

[0016]

The first means for solving the above problems is a converting means for converting input output data into intermediate data corresponding to an output graphic, and the intermediate data.
Bitmap expansion means for expanding the data into a bitmap,
Output including output means for outputting on the basis of the bit map, and storage means for storing various data that are temporarily generated when each means performs processing and intermediate data obtained by the converting means In the device, when it is determined that the amount of data to be stored exceeds the storage capacity of the storage means, the stored intermediate data is searched for intermediate data whose area is smaller than a predetermined value. , Erasing means for erasing the intermediate data from the storage means.

In the first means, when it is determined that more data will be stored than the storage capacity of the storage means, the erasing means has an area smaller than a predetermined value in the stored intermediate data. Since the intermediate data in the form of a graphic is searched and the intermediate data is erased from the storage means, the remaining memory capacity of the storage means has a margin and the intermediate data storage processing can be continued. When output, a part of the target figure is erased, but the output image of the entire page can be grasped.

A second means for solving the problem is a converting means for converting input output data into intermediate data corresponding to an output graphic, and the intermediate data into a bit map. Bit map expanding means for expanding, output means for outputting based on the bit map, various data temporarily generated when the respective means perform processing, and intermediate data obtained by the converting means. In an output device having a storage means for storing, when it is determined that the amount of data to be stored exceeds the storage capacity of the storage means, an intermediate figure which has the smallest area among the stored intermediate data is obtained. It is provided with erasing means for retrieving data and erasing the intermediate data from the storage means.

In the second means, when it is determined that more data will be stored than the storage capacity of the storage means, the erasing means determines that the figure having the smallest area out of the stored intermediate data. Since the intermediate data is retrieved and the intermediate data is erased from the storage means, the remaining memory capacity of the storage means has a margin and the intermediate data storage processing can be continued. When this is done, a part of the target graphic is erased, but the output image of the entire page can be grasped.

A third means for solving the problem is the above-mentioned first means and second means, wherein the area is a rectangular area circumscribing the figure represented by the intermediate data. That is.

According to the third means, the size of the area of the figure of the intermediate data can be judged easily and quickly.

A fourth means for solving the problem is a mode for setting whether or not the erasing means in the first means, the second means, or the third means is enabled. It is to have a setting means.

According to the fourth means, when the memory remaining in the storage means is insufficient, the mode setting means can be used to obtain the entire output even if a part of the figure is erased. ,
An erasing process can be performed.

A fifth means for solving the problem is to convert the output data into intermediate data corresponding to the output figure and store the intermediate data, and expand the intermediate data into a bit map.
In the output method of outputting based on the bit map, when processing the output data, when it is determined that more data will be stored than the storage capacity, the area of the stored intermediate data is increased. Is to search for intermediate data whose figure is smaller than a predetermined value and delete the intermediate data.

According to the fifth means, when it is determined that the amount of data to be stored exceeds the storage capacity when the output data is processed, the area of the stored intermediate data is reduced. Since the intermediate data having a figure smaller than the predetermined value is searched and the intermediate data is erased, the amount of intermediate data to be stored is reduced, and the remaining amount of memory in the storage means becomes large, so that the intermediate data can be saved. −
It becomes possible to continue the data storage processing, and when outputting, a part of the target figure is erased, but the output image of the entire page can be grasped.

A sixth means for solving the problem is to convert the output data into intermediate data corresponding to the output figure and store it, develop the intermediate data into a bit map,
In the output method of outputting based on the bit map, when processing the output data, when it is determined that more data will be stored than the storage capacity, the area of the stored intermediate data is increased. Intermediate data with the smallest figure
To retrieve the intermediate data.

According to the sixth means, when it is judged that the amount of data to be stored exceeds the storage capacity when the output data is processed, the area of the stored intermediate data is reduced. Since the intermediate data having the smallest figure is searched and the intermediate data is erased, the amount of intermediate data to be stored is reduced, and the remaining amount of memory in the storage means has a margin so that the intermediate data can be saved. It becomes possible to continue the storage process, and when outputting, a part of the target figure is erased, but the output image of the entire page can be grasped.

A seventh means for solving the problem is the above-mentioned fifth means or sixth means, wherein the area is a rectangular area circumscribing a figure represented by intermediate data. It is to be.

According to the seventh means, the size of the area of the figure of the intermediate data can be easily and quickly determined.

[0030]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in the control system diagram of FIG. 1 described in the section of the related art. Therefore, since this control configuration has been described in the section of the related art, duplicate description will be omitted. Printing device 1 according to the present embodiment
When a page description code (which is described as output data in the claims) 10 is input from the host computer 2, the page description code 10 is converted into, for example, a curved line figure into an approximate straight line figure. Converted to intermediate data in the form of vertices and stored in bands (described as storage means in claims) 13 to 15, and the procedure as shown in FIG. Since it is described in the column, the description in this column is omitted), and the band buffer (in the claims, is described as a bit map developing means) 23,
The bitmap is expanded to 24 and the printing means 9 performs printing.

In the above control process, when the amount of intermediate data exceeds the remaining memory capacity of the bands 13 to 15, the area of the intermediate data graphic already stored in the band has a predetermined value. In the following, for example, a graphic having the smallest area is searched, and the intermediate data of the graphic is erased to give a margin to the remaining memory capacity of each band 13 to 15,
The band processing as shown in FIG. 11 is continued,
This makes it possible to easily grasp the image of the figure of the entire page printed by the printing means 9.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the basic printing process of the printing apparatus 1. Steps S1 and S of FIG.
As shown in S2 and S3, when the page description code 10 from the host computer 2 is input, the CPU 4 converts the page description code 10 into, for example, the intermediate data of the apex format, and each band 13 of the RAM 7 is converted. Store in ~ 15. When it is determined that the conversion into the intermediate data corresponding to the page description code 10 and the storage for each band 13 to 15 have been completed for one page as shown in step S4, the print engine Started.

However, in the process of steps S1 to S4, the amount of intermediate data based on the page description code 10 becomes
When the remaining memory capacity of the bands 13 to 15 is exceeded, a so-called memory full state occurs. Also, in the process of converting the page description code 10 into the intermediate data, when the amount of temporarily storing various data exceeds the memory remaining amount of the work memory 22, the memory full state occurs. The CPU 4 monitors the occurrence of this memory full, and when a memory full state occurs in which the remaining amount of memory is below a predetermined level, the flow chart of FIG.
The process proceeds to the memory allocation process shown in FIG.

As shown in step S10 of FIG.
Of the intermediate data stored in each band 13 to 15 of M7, the graphic having the smallest area is searched. In this figure search, for example, a figure having the smallest value of length × thickness, such as the figure L as shown in FIG. 4, or the rectangle MB circumscribing the figure M as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, a rectangle NB circumscribing the figure N is generated, the area of the rectangle of the figure represented by each intermediate data is calculated, and the figure circumscribing the rectangle of the smallest area has the smallest area. Judge as a figure. These rectangles MB and NB are figures M and figures N.
Of the intermediate data representing the minimum point Xmin and maximum point Xmax in the X direction, and the minimum point Ymin and maximum point Ymax in the Y direction.
Can be determined by a known method.
In this figure search, a figure having an area less than or equal to a predetermined value may be searched in addition to the figure having the smallest area.

In step S11, the CPU 4 erases the data from the address of the band in which the intermediate data of the graphic retrieved as described above is stored. next,
In step S12, it is determined whether the memory remaining amount of the RAM 7 is larger than the memory request amount. Step S
If the memory remaining amount of the RAM 7 is less than the memory required amount in 12, the process returns to step S10, and steps S10, 11, and 12 are repeated until it is determined that the memory remaining amount of the band is greater than the memory required amount, and the memory is full. To eliminate.

When the memory full state is resolved in this way and the intermediate data for one page based on the page description code is stored in each band, printing is performed as shown in step S5 of FIG. The engine is started. Steps S6, S
As shown in FIG. 7, the intermediate data stored in each band 13 to 15 is sequentially developed in the band buffers 23 and 24 and printed by the printing means 9. Then, as shown in step S8, when the printing for one page is completed, the paper is fed out in step S9.

Even when the memory is full as described above, the remaining memory capacity of the band is increased by erasing the intermediate data of the graphic having the smallest area or the area less than the predetermined value. As a result, the remaining amount of the work memory 22 can be increased by rearranging and resizing the memory, and when the target print figure is the figure F as shown in FIG. Although there is a transformation such that the line in the flower or the leaf is erased as shown in FIG. 3, the output with the entire image secured can be obtained. Further, the memory securing process as described above may be executed only when specified. That is,
Before the monitoring process of the CPU 4 predicts that the memory is full as described above and before entering the memory securing process,
As in the flow chart shown in FIG. 13, it is checked whether a mode setting flag (not shown) in the RAM 7 is ON (step S13), and if it is ON (Y in step S13).
ES) The above-mentioned memory allocation processing is performed, and if it is not ON, memory full error processing is performed. This mode setting flag is turned on / off by the user by a panel switch (not shown) provided in the printer 1.
It is possible to do
It can also be set by a mode setting command sent from the computer 2. In this way, the user can set the mode so that when the memory is insufficient, the intermediate part of the figure can be obtained only when the whole output is desired even if the figure is partially deformed. A process of deleting the data from the RAM 7 can also be performed.

The embodiment is not limited to the printing device 1 that prints using a bitmap as described above, but may be a display device that displays graphics using a bitmap.

[0039]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the amount of data to be stored exceeds the storage capacity of the storage means, the erasing means will use the stored intermediate data. In order to search for intermediate data whose area is smaller than a predetermined value and erase the intermediate data from the storage means,
It becomes possible to continue the intermediate data storage processing because the remaining memory capacity of the storage means becomes large, and when output, a part of the target figure is erased, but the output image of the entire page is output. It has the effect of being able to grab.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, when it is determined that the amount of data to be stored exceeds the storage capacity of the storage means, the erasing means includes the stored intermediate data. Search the intermediate data that has the smallest area,
Since the intermediate data is erased from the storage means, the remaining memory capacity of the storage means can be afforded, and the intermediate data storage processing can be continued. Although the copy is erased, there is an effect that the output image of the entire page can be grasped.

Further, according to the third aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the size judgment process of the area of the figure of the intermediate data becomes easy and quick.

According to the invention described in claim 4, when the memory remaining amount of the storage means is insufficient, it is desired to obtain the entire output even if a part of the figure is erased by the mode setting means. There is an effect that the erasing process can be performed only in the case.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the output data is processed and it is determined that the amount of data to be stored exceeds the storage capacity, the intermediate data stored will be stored. Among them, since the intermediate data whose area is smaller than the predetermined value is searched and the intermediate data is erased, the amount of the intermediate data to be stored is reduced, and the remaining memory capacity of the storage means has a margin. It is possible to continue the intermediate data storage processing,
When output, part of the target figure is deleted,
There is an effect that the output image of the entire page can be grasped.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the output data is processed, it is determined that more data will be stored than the storage capacity, the intermediate data stored will be stored. Since the intermediate data having the smallest area is searched and the intermediate data is erased, the amount of intermediate data to be stored is reduced, and the remaining amount of memory in the storage means becomes large. It becomes possible to continue the intermediate data storage process, and when output, a part of the target figure is erased, but there is an effect that the output image of the entire page can be grasped.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 7, there is an effect that the size judgment processing of the area of the figure of the intermediate data becomes easy and speedy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control system diagram showing a control configuration of a printing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a memory reservation processing flow chart.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a target print figure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a printed figure when a memory full occurs.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of a page description code.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a bitmap.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of band processing.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a target print figure.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of mode setting.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Printer 2 Host Computer 4 CPU 6 ROM 7 RAM 9 Printing Means 13, 14, 15 Bands 23, 24 Band Buffer

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A conversion means for converting input output data into intermediate data corresponding to an output graphic, a bit map expanding means for expanding the intermediate data into a bit map, and the bit map An output device comprising: an output unit for outputting based on the above; a storage unit for storing various data temporarily generated when each of the units performs processing; and a storage unit for storing intermediate data obtained by the conversion unit, When it is determined that there will be more data to be stored than the storage capacity of the storage means, the stored intermediate data is searched for intermediate data whose area is smaller than a predetermined value.
An output device comprising erasing means for erasing the intermediate data from the storage means. 2. A conversion means for converting input output data into intermediate data corresponding to an output figure, a bit map expanding means for expanding the intermediate data into a bit map, and the bit map An output device comprising: an output unit for outputting based on the above; a storage unit for storing various data temporarily generated when each of the units performs processing; and a storage unit for storing intermediate data obtained by the conversion unit, When it is determined that there will be more data to be stored than the storage capacity of the storage means, the intermediate data having the smallest area is retrieved from among the stored intermediate data, and the intermediate data is retrieved. An output device comprising: an erasing means for erasing the data from the storage means. 3. The area is a rectangular area circumscribing a figure represented by intermediate data.
Alternatively, the output device according to claim 2. 4. A mode setting means for setting whether or not the erasing means is enabled is provided.
4. The output device according to claim 3. 5. An output method for converting output data into intermediate data corresponding to an output graphic and storing the intermediate data, developing the intermediate data into a bit map, and outputting based on the bit map. When it is determined that more data will be stored than the storage capacity when the output data is processed, the intermediate data stored becomes a graphic whose area is smaller than a predetermined value among the stored intermediate data. Is output and the intermediate data is deleted, and the output method is characterized. 6. An output method for converting output data into intermediate data corresponding to an output graphic, storing the intermediate data, developing the intermediate data into a bit map, and outputting based on the bit map. When processing the output data, when it is determined that the amount of data to be stored exceeds the storage capacity, the intermediate data having the smallest area is searched from the stored intermediate data. Then, the intermediate data is erased, and the output method is characterized. 7. The area is a rectangular area circumscribing a figure represented by intermediate data.
Alternatively, the output method according to claim 6.