JP2002170125A - Image processing device and method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily obtain a result of a plotting process without a sense of incongruity by uniformly adjusting the output results of a linearization process resulting from a difference of an input page description language, without making the host side conscious of selection of the page description language at all. SOLUTION: When a figure given by a predetermined pass plotting command is linearized by a rasterizing process part 303c, an optimum painting process is selected from among a plurality of painting processes according to the plotting requirement of the predetermined pass plotting command for linearization. Based on the selected painting method, a bit map plotting process to be applied to the figure given by the predetermined pass plotting command is changed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for generating drawing objects by analyzing PDL data based on a plurality of page description languages, and performing a filling process on each of the generated drawing objects. A method and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing apparatus and printing system to which this kind of image processing apparatus can be applied, a fixed filling means is used when generating a bitmap image from print information received from a host.

For example, when drawing a graphic on a pixel having a different size depending on the resolution of a printing device, which is important when generating a bitmap image, the bitmap image is formed according to the degree of overlap between an arbitrary pixel and the drawing to be drawn and the pixel painting rule. Generate. At this time, even when the same graphic is drawn, the apparent impression of the print result may differ depending on the print position of the graphic.

For example, there is a method of setting with a PDL command as a means for making the same apparent impression in a print result of the same figure having a different print position as described above. However, this method depends on the PDL function. Can be realized depending on whether or not has the corresponding function.

[0005] Further, even when the printing can be specified by the PDL command, it is necessary to specify the printing each time the application or the user executes the printing. Therefore, if the characteristics of the printing apparatus are not understood, a problem may occur, or one of the PDL commands may be used. First, since it is necessary to specify each object and send it to the printing apparatus, there is a waste in terms of data efficiency.

As described above, when the fixed bitmap image generating means is used, even when the same figure is drawn, the impression of the printing result may be different only by changing the printing position.

Further, when a plurality of bitmap image generating means are provided, it is necessary to specify a PDL command for each print object. It has been pointed out that there is a problem that it is influenced by the presence or absence of knowledge and becomes a wasteful part in terms of data efficiency.

[0008]

Further, when drawing a figure in accordance with the pixel size determined by the resolution of the printing apparatus and the device-specific pixel painting rules, the figure specified by the pass command is linearized (vectorized). ), If the lines that make up the figure that is generated do not match the grid lines that make up the pixels, or if they do not match the device-specific pixel fill rules, There was a problem that it could not be obtained.

That is, in the case of a printing apparatus which analyzes and processes a figure specified by a path command and generates a bitmap image using only a specific filling rule when generating a bitmap image, there are the following problems. Was.

(1) When only a specific filling rule is implemented, the appearance of a figure may be different even if the same figure is drawn only by the difference in the coordinate position on the paper.

(2) In the case where only a specific filling rule is implemented, even if the resolution is the same, if the image is printed on a printing apparatus having a different pixel filling rule that is important in the bitmap image generation processing, the visual impression of the figure is obtained. May be different.

(3) In the case where a plurality of filling rules can be selected, in a printing apparatus which can use a plurality of PDLs, a filling rule referred to in a bitmap image generation process by a PDL command can be selected. A function difference may occur depending on the state of correspondence to the filling rule and the PDL used by the user.

(4) If the PDL side has a function of covering a difference in the impression of a printing result due to the filling rule, waste occurs in terms of data efficiency in transmitting and receiving data.

(5) If the PDL side has a function to cover the difference in the impression of the printing result due to the filling rule, the filling rule used when analyzing and processing the figure specified by the path command and generating the bitmap image is set. A number of problems have been pointed out, such as the addition of processing for simulation, which may reduce the processing efficiency of the entire printing system.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to generate a drawing object by analyzing PDL data based on a plurality of page description languages. In an image processing apparatus that performs a filling process on each drawing object, when a graphic given by a predetermined path drawing command is linearized, a plurality of fillings are performed based on the drawing conditions of the predetermined linearized path drawing command. By selecting an optimal filling process from among the processes and, based on one of the selected filling methods, controlling the switching of the bitmap drawing process to be performed on the figure given by the predetermined path drawing command, the host The output result of the linearization process caused by the difference of the input page description language without being aware of the selection state of the page description language Adjust to one, it is to provide an image processing apparatus and image processing method, and a storage medium which can be obtained without rendering processing result of discomfort easily.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for analyzing a data to generate a drawing object and performing a filling process on each of the generated drawing objects (FIG. 4). , A plurality of filling means (corresponding to the rasterizing processing unit 303c shown in FIG. 4) for performing different filling processing for a predetermined path drawing command, and the predetermined path drawing command. Selecting means for selecting an optimum filling means from a plurality of filling means based on the drawing conditions of the command (FIG. 4)
And a drawing control unit for switching and controlling a bitmap drawing process to be performed on a figure given by the predetermined path drawing command based on one of the filling units selected by the selection unit. (Corresponding to the rasterization processing unit 303c shown in FIG. 4).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a linearizing means (corresponding to a rasterizing processing unit 303c shown in FIG. 4) for linearizing a figure given by a predetermined path drawing command, and the selecting means comprises: An optimum filling means is selected from a plurality of filling means based on a drawing condition of a predetermined path drawing command which is linearized by the straightening means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the data is PDL data based on a plurality of page description languages.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filling rule selecting means (corresponding to a rasterizing processing unit 303c shown in FIG. 4) for selecting a filling rule for selecting a specific filling means from the plurality of filling means. Have

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the filling rule selecting means is configured to select a specific filling from among the plurality of filling means according to a path command specified by a line and a curve to be analyzed and a given drawing condition. The rule is selected automatically.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the filling rule selecting means arbitrarily selects a specific filling rule by a command analyzed from a page description language sent from a host.

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the filling rule selecting means selects one of the plurality of filling means from the plurality of filling means according to a path command to be analyzed and drawing conditions or a specific command given from a page description language. A specific filling rule is automatically selected.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the drawing condition is a value indicating a width of a line indicating an outline of a figure given by a path command.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, the drawing condition is that the graphic given by the path command represents a character or a graphic.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the drawing condition is a number of a sequence of points constituting a figure given by a path command.

In an eleventh aspect according to the present invention, the drawing condition is such that a figure given by a path command is line-drawn.
This is a “roke” command or a “fill” command for filling the inside of a figure.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output means for outputting a bitmap image drawn by any of the plurality of filling means.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the output means includes a printing device (the printer engine 105 shown in FIG. 1).
).

In a fourteenth aspect according to the present invention, the output means is a display device.

A fifteenth invention according to the present invention is an image processing method in an image processing apparatus for generating a drawing object by analyzing data and performing a filling process on each generated drawing object. A plurality of filling steps (steps S611 and S612 in FIG. 6) for performing different filling processing for the path drawing command, and selecting an optimum filling means from the plurality of filling steps based on drawing conditions of a predetermined path drawing command. Drawing control for switching between bitmap drawing processing to be performed on a figure given by the predetermined path drawing command based on a selection step (step S604 in FIG. 6) to be performed and one of the filling steps selected in the selection step (Step S610 in FIG. 6).

A sixteenth invention according to the present invention has a linearization step (step S601 in FIG. 6) for linearizing a figure given by a predetermined path drawing command, and the selection step is performed by the linearization step. Based on the drawing condition of a predetermined path drawing command to be linearized, an optimum filling step is selected from a plurality of filling steps.

In a seventeenth aspect according to the present invention, the data is PDL data based on a plurality of page description languages.

The eighteenth invention according to the present invention has a filling rule selecting step (step S604 in FIG. 6) of selecting a filling rule for selecting a specific filling step from the plurality of filling steps.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the filling rule selecting step, a specific filling is selected from the plurality of filling steps according to a path command designated by a straight line and a curve to be analyzed and a given drawing condition. The rule is selected automatically.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the filling rule selecting step, a specific filling rule is arbitrarily selected by a command analyzed from a page description language sent from a host.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the filling rule selecting step, the filling rule is selected from the plurality of filling steps by a path command to be analyzed and a drawing condition or by a specific command given from a page description language. A specific filling rule is automatically selected.

In a twenty-second aspect according to the present invention, the drawing condition is a value indicating a width of a line indicating an outline of a figure given by a path command.

In a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the drawing condition is that the graphic given by the path command represents a character or a graphic.

In a twenty-fourth aspect according to the present invention, the drawing condition is a number of dot sequences constituting a figure given by a path command.

In a twenty-fifth aspect according to the present invention, the drawing condition is such that a figure given by a path command is line-drawn.
This is a “roke” command or a “fill” command for filling the inside of a figure.

A twenty-sixth invention according to the present invention has an output step of outputting a bitmap image drawn in any of the plurality of filling steps.

In a twenty-seventh aspect according to the present invention, the output step is a printing step.

In a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the output step is a display step.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus which analyzes data to generate a drawing object, and performs a filling process on each of the generated drawing objects. A plurality of painting steps for performing different painting processes (step S6 in FIG. 6).
11, S612) and a selection step (step S6 in FIG. 6) of selecting an optimum filling means from a plurality of filling steps based on drawing conditions of a predetermined path drawing command.
04) and a drawing control step of switching and controlling bitmap drawing processing to be performed on a figure given by the predetermined path drawing command based on one of the filling steps selected in the selecting step (step S610 in FIG. 6). Are recorded on a recording medium in a computer readable manner.

A thirtieth invention according to the present invention has a linearization step (step S601 in FIG. 6) for linearizing a figure given by a predetermined path drawing command. Based on the drawing condition of a predetermined path drawing command to be linearized, an optimum filling step is selected from a plurality of filling steps.

In a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the data is PDL data based on a plurality of page description languages.

A thirty-second invention according to the present invention has a filling rule selecting step (step S604 in FIG. 6) of selecting a filling rule for selecting a specific filling step from the plurality of filling steps.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the filling rule selecting step, a specific filling is selected from the plurality of filling means by a path command designated by a straight line and a curve to be analyzed and a given drawing condition. The rule is selected automatically.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the filling rule selecting step, a specific filling rule is arbitrarily selected by a command analyzed from a page description language sent from a host.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the filling rule selecting step, the plurality of filling steps are selected according to a path command to be analyzed and a drawing condition or a specific command given from a page description language. A specific filling rule is automatically selected.

In a thirty-sixth aspect according to the present invention, the drawing condition is a value indicating a line width indicating an outline of a figure given by a path command.

In a thirty-seventh aspect according to the present invention, the drawing condition is that the graphic given by the path command represents a character or a graphic.

According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the drawing condition is a number of a sequence of points constituting a figure given by a path command.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image display apparatus, the drawing condition is such that a figure given by a path command is line-drawn.
This is a “roke” command or a “fill” command for filling the inside of a figure.

A fortieth invention according to the present invention has an output step of outputting a bitmap image drawn in any of the plurality of filling steps.

In a forty-first aspect of the present invention, the output step is a printing step.

In a forty-second aspect according to the present invention, the output step is a display step.

[0058]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] First, an example of the configuration of a laser beam printer will be described as an example of an output device to which the embodiment of the present invention can be applied. In this embodiment,
Not only laser beam printers, but also, for example, inkjet printers, multifunction printers (MFPs)
For example, the present invention can be applied to an output device employing another method.
In the present embodiment, a printing device will be described as an example of an output device, but the present invention may be applied to a display device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In FIG. 1, a laser beam printer (printing apparatus) 102 capable of color output receives information (hereinafter, referred to as print data) including color multivalued information in a predetermined page description language system from an external device 101 such as a host computer. Is input, and the printer controller 1 generates image data by analyzing the print data.
03, a printer engine unit (hereinafter, referred to as an engine) 105 for printing an image represented by image data generated by the printer controller unit 103 on paper, and an interface with a user to perform a desired operation for the laser beam printer 102. And a panel unit 104 for performing an input operation for giving an instruction. 106
Denotes an engine control unit.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the printer engine unit 105 of the printing apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 1, for example, a case of a laser beam printer engine unit.

In FIG. 2, the laser beam printer 10
Reference numeral 2 denotes a housing 201. The housing 201 includes an engine control unit that controls each mechanism for configuring the printer engine 105 and controls each printing process (for example, a paper feeding process) by each mechanism. And a control board storage unit 203 for storing the printer controller unit 103 (shown in FIG. 1).

The respective mechanisms for configuring the printer engine unit 105 include forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum by scanning with a laser beam, visualizing the electrostatic latent image, and printing the visualized image on printing paper. There is provided an optical processing mechanism for transferring the image, a fixing processing mechanism for fixing the toner image transferred to the printing paper, a paper feeding processing mechanism for the printing paper, a printing paper conveying processing mechanism, and the like.

The optical processing mechanism has a laser driver 206 for turning on / off a laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser (not shown) according to image data supplied from the printer controller 103. The emitted laser light is oscillated in the main scanning direction by the rotary polygon mirror 207, and the laser light oscillated in the main scanning direction is guided to the photosensitive drum 205 via the reflection mirror 208, and travels on the photosensitive drum 205 in the main scanning direction. Exposure. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 205 by scanning exposure with laser light, and the latent image is visualized as a toner image by toner supplied from the developing device 220. The toner includes Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan),
K (black) toners are used. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 205 is transferred to printing paper fed in synchronization with the sub-scanning direction by a paper feeding processing mechanism.

The photosensitive drum 205 and the developing device 220 are housed in a detachable cartridge 204. The reflection mirror 208 is formed of a semi-transmissive mirror, and a beam detector 209 is disposed on the back side thereof. The beam detector 209 detects the laser beam, and a detection signal (a so-called BD signal) is given to the printer controller 103. The printer controller 103 generates a horizontal synchronization signal for determining the exposure timing in the main scanning direction based on the detection signal of the beam detector 209, and the horizontal synchronization signal is output to the printer controller 103.

The fixing processing mechanism has a fixing device 216 for fixing the toner image transferred to the printing paper by heat and pressure. The fixing device 216 is provided with a heater for heating the toner image. The temperature of the heater is controlled by the engine control unit 106 so as to obtain a predetermined fixing temperature.

The printing paper feeding mechanism has a cassette 210 for storing the printing paper and a manual tray 219, and is configured to selectively feed the printing paper of the cassette 210 or the printing paper of the manual feeding tray 219. Have been. The cassette 210 is mounted in the housing 201,
Is provided with a size detection mechanism for electrically detecting the size of the printing paper in accordance with the movement position of a partition plate (not shown).

Then, from the cassette 210, the uppermost print sheet is conveyed to the sheet feed roller 212 by rotating the cassette sheet feed clutch 211 one by one.
The cassette paper feed clutch 211 is composed of a cam that is intermittently driven by a driving means (not shown) for each paper feed, and feeds one print sheet every time the cam rotates one time.

The paper feed roller 212 conveys the printing paper to a position where the leading end thereof corresponds to the registration shutter 214.
The registration shutter 214 stops and cancels the feeding of the printing paper by pressing and releasing the fed printing paper, and the operation of the registration shutter 214 is controlled so as to be synchronized with the sub-scanning of the laser beam. You.

On the other hand, the manual feed tray 219 is
The printing paper provided on the manual feed tray 219 by the user is supplied to the registration shutter 214 by the paper supply roller 215.

The print paper transport processing mechanism transports the print paper, which has been released from the registration shutter 214 toward the photosensitive drum 205, to the photosensitive drum 205, and transports the print paper discharged from the fixing device 216 to the transport path 237. Each of the transport rollers 217 and 218 for guiding the transport rollers 217 and 218 along the discharge tray formed at the upper part of
Driving means (not shown) for driving 217 and 218
And

An operation panel 202 for constituting the panel section 104 is attached to the housing 201. A switch group for an instruction input operation is provided on the operation panel 202.
An LED display and an LCD display for displaying information are provided.

Next, the configuration of the printer controller 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the printer controller 103 shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 3, the printer controller 1
Reference numeral 03 denotes an input buffer (not shown) for inputting print data transmitted from the external device 101 and settings for instructing operation of the apparatus, and temporarily stores output data including a signal transmitted to the external device 101 and device information data. Host I / F 302 provided with an output buffer (not shown)
The host I / F unit 302 configures an input / output unit for signals and communication packets exchanged with the external device 101, and controls communication with the external device 101.

The print data input via the host I / F 302 is given to the image data generator 303.
The image data generation unit 303 analyzes input print data based on predetermined analysis means (for example, PDL analysis processing), generates a drawing object as an intermediate language from the analysis result, and further processes the print engine unit 105. Create possible image data.

More specifically, the print data is analyzed, object information is created by the analysis, and a rasterizing process is performed in parallel with the creation of the object information. In this rasterizing process, the display colors RGB (additive color mixture) included in the print data are converted into YMCK (subtractive color mixture) that can be processed by the printer engine. Performs conversion to font data such as fonts, creates bitmap data in page units or band units, performs pseudo gradation processing using a dither pattern on the bitmap data, and generates printable image data. .

The created image data is stored in the image memory 305. The reading of the image data stored in the image memory 305 is performed by the DMA control unit 308.
The control of the reading of image data from the image memory 305 by the DMA control unit 308 is performed based on an instruction from the CPU 309.

The image data read from the image memory 305 is transferred to the engine unit 105 as a video signal via the engine I / F unit 306. Engine I /
The F unit 306 includes an output buffer (not shown) for temporarily holding a video signal to be transferred to the engine unit 105, and an input buffer (not shown) for temporarily holding a signal sent from the engine 105. Is provided, and the engine I / F
The unit 306 constitutes an input / output unit for a signal exchanged with the engine 105 and controls communication with the engine 105.

An instruction relating to mode setting, etc., issued by an operation input from the panel unit 104 (shown in FIG. 1) is input via the panel I / F unit 301. The panel I / F unit 301 is connected to the panel unit 104 and the CPU 309. Configure the interface between Note that an instruction to the printing apparatus, such as a mode setting, issued by an operation input can also be issued via the host I / F unit 302 that performs bidirectional communication with an externally connected device.

The CPU 309 controls each of the above-described blocks according to the mode instructed from the panel unit 104 or the external device 101.
Is executed based on the control program stored in the.
The control program stored in the ROM 304 includes an OS (Operating System) for performing time-division control on a load module basis called a task by a system clock, and a plurality of load modules executed and controlled on a function basis by the OS. It is composed of The control program including the load module is stored in an EEPROM (non-volatile memory) 310 as needed.

The RAM 307 is used as a work area for the arithmetic processing by the CPU 309. CPU 30 described above
9 including the CPU 30 on the system bus 311.
9 are connected so as to be accessible. The system bus 311 includes an address bus and a system bus.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the printer control system having the above-described configuration.
5 is a flowchart showing a program stored in the program.

Next, a processing path of input data in the printer controller 103 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the function processing of the printer controller 103 shown in FIG. 3, and the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The print data input from the external connection device through the host interface unit 302 is
The command is analyzed by the command 03a, then the drawing object is generated as a drawing object in the drawing object generation unit 303b, and is temporarily recorded in the work memory 307 on the RAM.

Then, the drawing memory is read out from the working memory on the RAM at any time and rasterized by the rasterization processing unit 303c, and the image data finally recorded on the recording medium is developed into a bitmap image and stored in the image memory 305. And the engine interface unit 306
And output to the recording medium.

Note that the rasterization processing unit 303c refers to various drawing conditions during the path drawing process according to the procedure of a flowchart described later, and a plurality of filling methods (in the present embodiment, filling methods A and B (details will be described later). Do)
An optimal filling method is selected from the two types, and the bitmap generation processing is switched and controlled for the analyzed object according to the selected filling method.

Hereinafter, a conventional bitmap generation process will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a bitmap generation processing procedure in this type of image processing apparatus. Note that (S501) to (S507) indicate each step.

First, a description will be given of a bitmap image generation process in a conventional printing apparatus when there is no plurality of filling methods based on FIG.

If the print data input through the host interface unit 302 and analyzed by the PDL analysis unit 303a is a command related to path drawing, the input path command is analyzed and linearization processing is performed (S50).
1) The drawing command given to the path drawing command is str
It is determined whether the processing is the ok processing or the Fi11 processing (S502).

If it is determined that the instruction is a strok instruction, an outline path of the given path is generated according to the drawing condition with reference to drawing conditions such as Join / Cap / Line Width (S503) (S50).
4).

Next, it is determined whether the value indicating the coordinates of the sequence of points constituting the path given from the PDL is given by the user device coordinates or the device coordinates (S505), and the device coordinates are designated. If it is determined that the user coordinate has been specified, and if it is determined that the user coordinate has been specified, “user coordinate → device coordinate” conversion is performed (S506).

Finally, a path composed of a sequence of points converted into device coordinates is generated as a bitmap image in accordance with a specific filling method (S507), and the process ends.

In the conventional printing apparatus, when the filling method of A used in the above-described conventional example is to fill all the pixels having a portion overlapping the figure to be drawn, only the specific filling method (A) is used. When a map image is generated, the printing result may be different depending on the drawing position of the figure even when the same figure is drawn.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of filling methods are prepared inside the printing apparatus, and these plurality of filling methods are switched and used according to drawing conditions and drawing commands.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In a printing apparatus having a plurality of filling methods, a filling method at the time of executing path drawing is determined by drawing conditions and the like. This corresponds to a processing procedure for switching appropriately. (S601)-
(S612) shows each step.

The printing apparatus includes a host interface unit 30
When the print data input through the PDL 2 and analyzed by the PDL analysis unit 303a is a command related to path drawing, the point sequence forming the path specified by the path drawing command is linearized (S601). It is determined whether the drawing execution command specified by the path drawing command is the stroke process or the Fi11 process (S602), and the stroke is performed.
If it is determined that the processing has been performed, Join / Cap / L
With reference to drawing conditions such as “ine width” (S60
3), L representing the width of the line referred to in step S603
It is determined whether or not the line width is smaller than n pixels (S604). If it is determined that the line width is smaller than n pixels, the internal variable PaintRu1e is filled with the rule B (for example, x
(The coordinate value of the intersection of the scan line parallel to the axis and the straight line constituting the path is cut off) is set (S60).
6), and proceed to step (S607).

On the other hand, in step S604, Line W
If it is determined that the height is greater than n pixels,
A filling rule A (for example, all pixels having a portion overlapping with a figure to be drawn is filled) is set in the internal variable Paint Ru1e (S605), and step S603 is performed.
Then, an outline path for the path is generated in accordance with the referred drawing condition (S607).

Next, it is determined whether the value indicating the coordinates of the point sequence forming the path given from the PDL is given by the user device coordinates or the device coordinates (S
608) When the device coordinates are specified, the coordinate values of the given point sequence are used as they are, and when the device coordinates are specified by the user coordinates, “user coordinates → device coordinates” conversion is performed (S609).

Finally, the internal variable Paint R
Confirm the filling method specified in u1e (S6
10) If it is determined that the corresponding filling method is the filling method A, a bitmap image is generated according to the filling method A, for example (S611), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S610 that the corresponding filling method is the filling method B, a bitmap image is generated according to the filling method B, for example (S612), and the process ends.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the case where the Line Width given to the drawing condition from the PDL is referred to as the condition for selecting the filling method is described. May be configured to change the filling method depending on whether the point sequence given by (1) forms a character or a figure. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the point sequence given by the path drawing command forms a character or a figure. This corresponds to a processing procedure for changing the filling method depending on the situation. (S701)
(S712) shows each step.

The printing apparatus is connected to the host interface unit 30
If the print data input via the command 2 is a command related to path drawing, it is determined whether the path specified by the path drawing command represents a character or a figure (S701), and the character is represented. If it is determined that the drawing method A (similar to the first embodiment) is set in the internal variable Paint Ru1e (S702), and if it is determined that the figure is a graphic, the filling method B (the first embodiment) is used. Same)
Is set (S703).

Next, the sequence of points constituting the path specified by the path drawing command is linearized (S704).
The drawing execution instruction specified by the path drawing command is
It is determined whether the process is a ke process or a Fi11 process (S705).
If it is determined that the process is an i11 process, the process directly proceeds to step (S708). If it is determined that the process is a stroke process, Join / Cap / Line Widt is performed.
With reference to drawing conditions such as h (S706), an outline path for the relevant path is generated according to the referred drawing conditions (S707), and the process proceeds to step (S708).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S705 that the process is the Fi11 process, and after the execution of step S707, a value indicating the coordinates of the point sequence forming the path given from the PDL is given as the user device coordinates. It is determined whether or not device coordinates have been specified (S708). If it is determined that the device coordinates have been specified, the process proceeds to step S710 with the given coordinate value of the point sequence unchanged, and specified by user coordinates. If it has been performed, the conversion from "user coordinates to device coordinates" is performed (S709), and step S709 is performed.
Proceed to 710.

Finally, the internal variable Paint R
Check the filling method specified in u1e (S7
10) If it is determined that the painting method is painting method A, a bitmap image is generated according to painting method A, for example (S711), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S710 that the corresponding painting method is painting method B, a bitmap image is generated in accordance with painting method B, for example (S712), and the process ends.

As described above, an appropriate filling method is automatically selected from a plurality of filling methods inside the printing apparatus depending on whether the point sequence given by the path drawing command represents a character or a figure. By generating an image, it is possible to suppress a difference in a printing result.

[Third Embodiment] In the above-described first and second embodiments, an appropriate filling method is used depending on whether the drawing condition given from the PDL or the dot sequence forming the path forms a character or a figure. Has been described above, but it may be configured such that the filling method is changed depending on the number of dot sequences constituting the corresponding path. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, which corresponds to a processing procedure for changing the filling method according to the number of dot sequences constituting the relevant path. . Note that (S80
1) to (S812) show each step.

The printing apparatus includes a host interface unit 30
When the print data input via the PDL 2 and analyzed by the PDL analysis unit 303a is a command related to path drawing, the point sequence forming the bus specified by the bus drawing command is linearized (S801). It is determined whether the rendering execution command specified by the path rendering command is a stroke process or a Fi11 process (S802), and the stroke is determined.
If it is determined that the processing has been performed, Join / Cap /
Referring to drawing conditions such as Line Width (S8
03), an outline path for the path is generated according to the referred drawing condition (S804), and the process proceeds to step (S805).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 802 that the process is the Fi11 process, and after execution of step S 804, the filling method is performed based on the number of dot sequences constituting the path that has been linearized or outlined in step S 804. Is selected, it is determined whether or not the number of dot sequences forming the path is n or less (S805). If it is determined that the number is n or less, the internal variable Paint Ru1e is determined.
Is specified as the filling method B (S807), and step S8 is performed.
Proceed to 08.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S805 that the number of dot sequences forming the path is larger than n, the painting method A is specified in the internal variable paint Ru1e (S806), and the flow advances to step S808.

Further, it is determined whether the value indicating the coordinates of the point sequence constituting the path given from the PDL is given by the user device coordinates or the device coordinates (S808), and the device coordinates are designated. If it is determined that the coordinates have been set, the process proceeds to step S810 while the coordinate values of the given point sequence remain unchanged. If the coordinates are specified by the user coordinates, “user coordinates → device coordinates” conversion is performed (S809), Proceed to step S810.

Finally, the internal variable Paint R
Check the filling method specified in u1e (S8
10) If it is determined that the corresponding filling method is the filling method A, a bitmap image is generated according to the filling method A, for example (S811), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S810 that the corresponding painting method is painting method B, a bitmap image is generated according to painting method B, for example (S812), and the process ends.

As described above, an appropriate filling method is automatically selected from a plurality of filling methods inside the printing apparatus according to the number of dot sequences of the path given by the path drawing command, and a bitmap image is generated. , It is possible to suppress the difference in the printing result.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the first to third embodiments, the drawing condition given from the PDL or the dot sequence forming the path forms a character or a figure, and further forms a path. The method of selecting an appropriate filling method inside the printing apparatus according to the number of dot sequences has been described. In particular, when the corresponding path is printed, the filling method is changed by a drawing command of a path drawing command given from the PDL. You may comprise. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a processing procedure for changing a filling method in accordance with a drawing command of a path drawing command given from the PDL. . In addition, (S901) to (S911) indicate each step.

The printing apparatus includes a host interface unit 30
When the print data input via the PDL 2 and analyzed by the PDL analysis unit 303a is a command related to path drawing, the point sequence forming the path specified by the path drawing command is linearized (S901). It is determined whether the rendering execution command specified by the path rendering command is the Stroke process or the Fi11 process (S902). If it is determined that the rendering process is the Fi11 process, the internal variable Paint Ru is determined.
The filling method A is set to 1e (S903), and the process proceeds to step S907.

On the other hand, in step S902,
If it is determined that the processing was performed, Join / Cap / Li
Refer to drawing conditions such as ne Width (S90
4), method B for filling the internal variable Paint Ru1e
Is set (S905), an outline bus for the corresponding path is generated according to the drawing condition referred to in step S904 (S906), and the process proceeds to step S907.

Next, it is determined whether the value indicating the coordinates of the sequence of points constituting the path given from the PDL is given by the user device coordinates or the device coordinates (S
908) If it is determined that the device coordinates have been designated, the process proceeds to step S909 while keeping the coordinate value of the given point sequence as it is. If the coordinates are designated by the user coordinates, “user coordinates → device coordinates” Conversion is performed (S90
8), proceed to step S909.

Finally, the internal variable Paint R
Confirm the filling method specified in u1e (S9
09) If it is determined that the corresponding filling method is the filling method A, a bitmap image is generated according to the filling method A, for example (S910), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S909 that the corresponding painting method is painting method B, a bitmap image is generated according to painting method B, for example (S911), and the process ends.

As described above, an appropriate filling method is automatically selected from a plurality of filling methods inside the printing apparatus depending on whether the drawing execution command given to the path drawing command is Stroke or Fi11, and , It is possible to suppress the difference in the printing result.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the first to fourth embodiments, an appropriate filling method is automatically selected in a drawing object generation unit or a rasterizing unit from a plurality of filling methods according to various drawing conditions, and a bitmap is generated. The method of generating an image has been described. However, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, designation of a PDL (PDL command and the first to fourth embodiments) is enabled by making it possible to refer to a painting command command given from the PDL. And the automatic selection process of the filling method in the drawing object generating unit or the rasterizing unit described in (1) can be used at the same time). Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described in comparison with the conventional processing (FIG. 10).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a conventional bitmap generation processing procedure in this type of image processing apparatus, and corresponds to a conventional processing procedure for selecting a painting method by a painting command which is a PDL command. Note that (S1001) to (S1013) indicate each step.

In a conventional printing apparatus in which a filling method can be selected by a PDL command from a plurality of filling methods, a filling command command is set by referring to a filling method selection command given to a PDL analysis unit (S1001). (S1002), and if it is determined that the painting command has been set to ON, the painting method B is applied to the internal variable Paint Ru1e.
Is set (S1004), and the filling command
If it is determined that it has not been specified, the filling method A is set in the internal variable Paint Ru1e (S1003).

Next, the point sequence constituting the path specified by the path drawing command is linearized (S100
5) The drawing execution command specified by the path drawing command is S
It is determined whether the process is the stroke process or the Fi11 process (S100
6) If it is determined that the processing is Fi11 processing, the process proceeds to step S1009). If it is determined that processing is Stroke processing, Join / Cap / Line Width is determined.
With reference to the drawing conditions such as (S1007), an outline path for the relevant path is generated according to the referred drawing conditions (S1008), and the process proceeds to step (S1009).

Then, it is determined whether the value indicating the coordinates of the sequence of points constituting the path given from the PDL is given by the user device coordinates or the device coordinates (S1009), and the device coordinates are designated. If it is determined that the coordinates of the given point sequence,
The process advances to step S1011 to perform “user coordinate → device coordinate” conversion when designated by user coordinates (S10).
1010), and proceed to step S1011.

Finally, the internal variable Paint R
Check the filling method specified in u1e (S1
011) If it is determined that the corresponding filling method is the filling method A, a bitmap image is generated according to the filling method A, for example (S1012), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1011 that the corresponding filling method is the filling method B,
For example, a bitmap image is generated according to the filling method B (S1013), and the process ends.

As described above, in the conventional printing apparatus, a filling method is selected by an explicit instruction by a PDL command, but a plurality of filling methods cannot be automatically switched according to a drawing condition or a drawing command.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the PDL designation (PDL command and the first to fourth embodiments) is enabled by making it possible to refer to the painting command command given from the PDL. And the automatic selection processing of the filling method in the drawing object generating unit or the rasterizing unit described in (1) can be used simultaneously).

FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing an example of the fifth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The PDL designation is performed by making it possible to refer to the painting command given from the PDL. Furthermore, the drawing object generation unit or the rendering unit in the printing apparatus corresponds to a processing procedure of changing the filling process according to various drawing conditions. In addition, S1101-S
Reference numeral 1117 indicates each step.

A PDL analysis unit 303 capable of selecting a filling method from a plurality of filling methods by a PDL command.
With reference to the filling method selection command given to a (S1101), it is confirmed whether or not the filling command command is set (S1102). If it is determined that the filling command command is set to ON, the Set painting method B in Paint Ru1e (S
1104) If it is determined that the painting command is OFF or not specified, the internal variable Paint
The filling method A is set for Ru1e (S1103).

Next, when the print data input via the host interface unit 302 and analyzed by the PDL analysis unit 303a is a command related to path drawing, a sequence of points constituting a path specified by the path drawing command is determined. Straightening (S1105), the drawing execution command specified by the path drawing command is a Stroke process or Fi11
It is determined whether the process is a process (S1106). If it is determined that the process is a Fill process, the process advances to step S1113.

On the other hand, at step (S1106), Str
If it is determined that the ok process has been performed, Join / Ca
By referring to drawing conditions such as p / Line Width (S1107), the internal variable Paint Ru1e is checked, and it is checked whether or not the filling method has been set by the PDL command (S1108). The process advances to step S1112, and if it is determined that the line has not been set, L representing the width of the line referred to in step S1107.
Ine Width is checked, and it is determined whether it is smaller than n pixels (S1109). If it is determined that it is smaller than n pixels, the internal variable Paint Ru is determined.
The filling rule B is set to 1e (S1111), and the process proceeds to step S1112. If it is determined that 1ine Width is larger than n pixels, the internal variable P
a. Fill rule A is set in aint Ru1e (S
1110), and proceed to step S1112.

Then, an outline path for the relevant path is generated according to the drawing condition referred to in step S1107 (S1112).

Next, it is determined whether the value indicating the coordinates of the sequence of points constituting the path given from the PDL is given by the user device coordinates or the device coordinates (S
1113) If it is determined that the device coordinates are designated, the process proceeds to step S1115, while the coordinate values of the given point sequence remain unchanged, and if the coordinates are designated by the user coordinates, “user coordinates → device coordinates” Conversion (S11)
14), proceed to step S1115.

Finally, the internal variable Paint R
Check the filling method specified in u1e (S1
115) If it is determined that the corresponding filling method is the filling method A, a bitmap image is generated according to the filling method A, for example (S1116), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1115 that the corresponding painting method is painting method B,
For example, a bitmap image is generated according to the filling method B (S1117), and the process ends.

By configuring the printing apparatus as described above,
In accordance with the filling method given by the PDL command as in the related art, it is possible to automatically select the filling method according to various drawing conditions in the drawing object generation unit or the rendering unit inside the printing apparatus.

Here, the painting methods A and B described in the first to fifth embodiments will be described in detail.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a different filling method employed in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
Corresponds to the filling method A, and (B) corresponds to the filling method B.

In FIG. 13, in the case of the filling method A, “all pixels having a portion overlapping with the drawing to be drawn are filled”, all the pixels overlapping with the designated line width with respect to the designated path are designated. This shows a filled state, and a shaded area in the figure is a filled area.

On the other hand, in the case of the filling method B, “the coordinate value of the intersection of the scan line parallel to the X-axis and the straight line constituting the path is cut off,”
The coordinate value of the intersection of the scan line parallel to h and the straight line forming the path is discarded, and the path
2 shows a state where only the parallel pixels are filled, and the shaded area in the figure is the filled area.

In FIG. 12, when the filling method A and the filling method B are compared, the filling method A has a larger filling area with respect to the designated line width.

[Sixth Embodiment] In the first to fifth embodiments, the filling method A shown in FIG. 13 "All pixels having a portion overlapping the figure to be drawn are filled."
And fill method B "scan line parallel to the X axis,
The case where "coordinate values of intersections where the straight lines constituting the path intersect with each other" is described, but the filling method (rule) is not limited to A and B and can be set. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams for explaining examples of filling rules in the image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 14, rule (1) is an example of filling a pixel when the figure to be drawn and the center point of the pixel overlap each other, and rule (2) is for overlapping a figure to be drawn and an arbitrary pixel. This is an example of filling when the area is 50 times or more, and rule (3) rounds off the coordinates of the intersection of the scan line parallel to the X axis and the straight line forming the path, and determines whether or not to fill. It is an example.

In FIG. 15, rule (4) is an example in which the coordinates of the intersection of the scan line parallel to the X-axis and the straight line forming the path are rounded up to determine whether or not to fill, and rule (5) is This is an example in which the coordinates of the intersection of a straight line parallel to the X-axis passing through the center point of an arbitrary pixel and a straight line forming a path are rounded off to determine whether or not to fill.

Note that the filling rule is as described in (1) to (5) above.
(5) is an example, and is not necessarily limited to only these rules, and includes combinations of the above (1) to (5) and the like.

It is needless to say that the above-described first to fifth embodiments may be appropriately combined and included in the embodiments of the present invention, whereby each effect of each embodiment is synergistically improved.

According to the above-described embodiment, a plurality of filling rules for preparing a bitmap image by analyzing and processing a figure specified by a path command for a plurality of filling rules are provided and provided from each page description language. By referring to the drawing conditions of the figure, etc., it is automatically switched and controlled when executing the bitmap image generation process, so that the difference in the drawing result due to the difference in the output position for each page description language and the difference in the painting rule of each pixel can be eliminated. Print the generated bitmap image by automatically selecting the optimal filling method from the drawing conditions of the figure when generating a bitmap image by analyzing the figure specified by the path command. The result can be output without the original application being aware of it. It is possible to eliminate the function difference by a page description language a bitmap image generated stroke adjustment at that was by performing drawing processing unit of the main body side.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by a printing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 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 image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, a program for installing various programs on a computer, and a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed, may be stored in some cases.

6 to 9, FIG. 11, FIG.
The functions shown in FIG. 12 may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes 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
D-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform 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 into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0169]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the inventions of (1) to (42), in an image processing apparatus which analyzes PDL data based on a plurality of page description languages to generate a drawing object and performs a filling process on each of the generated drawing objects, a predetermined path drawing When straightening a figure given by a command, based on the drawing conditions of a predetermined path drawing command to be linearized, an optimum filling process is selected from a plurality of filling processes, and any of the selected filling processes is selected. Based on the method, the bitmap drawing process to be performed on the figure given by the predetermined path drawing command is switched and controlled, so that the host side does not have to be aware of the selection state of the page description language and the difference in the input page description language It is possible to easily adjust the output result of the linearization process caused by the Achieve the effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a printer engine unit of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating functional processing of a printer controller shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a conventional bitmap generation processing procedure in this type of image processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a conventional bitmap generation processing procedure in this type of image processing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a different filling method adopted in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a filling rule in an image processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a filling rule in an image processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 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 image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 103 Printer controller unit 302 Host I / F unit 303 Image data generation unit 303a PDL analysis unit 303b Drawing object generation unit 307 RAM 303c Rasterization processing unit 305 Image memory

Claims (42)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for analyzing data to generate a drawing object and performing a filling process on each of the generated drawing objects, wherein the image processing device performs different filling processes for a predetermined path drawing command. A plurality of filling means, based on drawing conditions of the predetermined path drawing command, a selecting means for selecting an optimum filling means from among the plurality of filling means, and based on any of the filling means selected by the selecting means, An image processing device comprising: a drawing control unit configured to switch and control a bitmap drawing process to be performed on a figure given by the predetermined path drawing command. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a linearization unit configured to linearize a figure given by a predetermined path drawing command; 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an optimum filling unit is selected from a plurality of filling units. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is PDL data based on a plurality of page description languages. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a filling rule selecting unit that selects a filling rule that selects a specific filling unit from the plurality of filling units.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. The filling rule selecting means automatically selects a specific filling rule from the plurality of filling means according to a path command specified by a straight line and a curve to be analyzed and a given drawing condition. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said filling rule selecting means arbitrarily selects a specific filling rule by a command analyzed from a page description language sent from a host. apparatus. 7. The filling rule selecting means automatically selects a specific filling rule from among the plurality of filling means according to a path command to be analyzed and a drawing condition or a specific command given from a page description language. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the selection is made. 8. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the drawing condition is a value indicating a width of a line indicating an outline of a figure given by a path command. apparatus. 9. The image according to claim 1, wherein the drawing condition is that the graphic given by the path command represents a character or a graphic. Processing equipment. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing condition is a number of a sequence of points forming a figure given by a path command. 11. A drawing command according to claim 1, wherein said drawing condition is a stroke command for line drawing a figure given by a path command or a fill command for filling the inside of the figure. An image processing device according to any one of the above. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs a bitmap image drawn by any of the plurality of filling units. 13. An image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said output means is a printing device. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said output means is a display device. 15. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for analyzing data to generate a drawing object, and performing a filling process on each of the generated drawing objects, wherein the method is different for a predetermined path drawing command. A plurality of filling steps for performing a filling process; a selecting step of selecting an optimum filling step from the plurality of filling steps based on drawing conditions of a predetermined path drawing command; and a filling step selected by the selecting step A drawing control step of switching and controlling a bitmap drawing process to be performed on a figure given by the predetermined path drawing command based on the drawing process. 16. A linearizing step of linearizing a figure given by a predetermined path drawing command, wherein the selecting step is based on a drawing condition of the predetermined path drawing command linearized by the linearizing step. 16. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein an optimum filling step is selected from a plurality of filling steps. 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data is PDL data based on a plurality of page description languages.
5. The image processing method according to 5. 18. The image processing method according to claim 15, further comprising a filling rule selecting step of selecting a filling rule for selecting a specific filling step from the plurality of filling steps. 19. The filling rule selecting step,
19. The image processing method according to claim 18, wherein a specific filling rule is automatically selected from the plurality of filling steps according to a path command specified by a straight line and a curve to be analyzed and a given drawing condition. . 20. The filling rule selecting step,
20. The image processing method according to claim 18, wherein a specific filling rule is arbitrarily selected by a command analyzed from a page description language sent from a host. 21. The filling rule selecting step,
2. A specific filling rule is automatically selected from the plurality of filling steps according to a path command to be analyzed and a drawing condition or a specific command given from a page description language.
The image processing method according to any one of 8, 19 and 20. 22. The image processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said drawing condition is a value indicating a width of a line indicating an outline of a figure given by a path command. Method. 23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the drawing condition is that the graphic given by the path command represents either a character or a graphic. Image processing method. 24. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein the drawing condition is a number of a sequence of points constituting a figure given by a path command. 25. The drawing condition according to claim 15, wherein the drawing condition is a stroke command for drawing a line of a figure given by a path command or a fill command for filling the inside of the figure. The image processing method according to any one of the above. 26. The image processing method according to claim 15, further comprising an output step of outputting a bitmap image drawn in any of the plurality of filling steps. 27. The image processing method according to claim 26, wherein said outputting step is a printing step. 28. The image processing method according to claim 26, wherein said output step is a display step. 29. A plurality of image processing apparatuses, which analyze data to generate drawing objects and perform a filling process on each of the generated drawing objects, perform a plurality of different filling processes on a predetermined path drawing command. A filling step; a selection step of selecting an optimal filling step from among a plurality of filling steps based on drawing conditions of a predetermined path drawing command; and the predetermined filling step based on any of the filling steps selected by the selecting step. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a drawing control step of switching and controlling bitmap drawing processing to be performed on a figure given by a path drawing command. 30. A linearization step for linearizing a figure given by a predetermined path drawing command, wherein the selection step is performed based on a drawing condition of the predetermined path drawing command linearized by the linearization step. 30. The storage medium according to claim 29, wherein an optimum filling step is selected from a plurality of filling steps. 31. The data according to claim 2, wherein the data is PDL data based on a plurality of page description languages.
9. The storage medium according to item 9. 32. The storage medium according to claim 29, further comprising a filling rule selecting step of selecting a filling rule for selecting a specific filling step from the plurality of filling steps. 33. The filling rule selecting step,
33. The storage medium according to claim 32, wherein a specific filling rule is automatically selected from the plurality of filling steps according to a path command designated by a straight line and a curve to be analyzed and a given drawing condition. 34. The filling rule selecting step,
34. The storage medium according to claim 32, wherein a specific filling rule is arbitrarily selected by a command analyzed from a page description language sent from a host. 35. The filling rule selecting step,
4. A specific filling rule is automatically selected from the plurality of filling steps according to a path command and a drawing condition to be analyzed or a specific command given from a page description language.
The storage medium according to any one of 2, 33, and 34. 36. The storage medium according to claim 29, wherein said drawing condition is a value indicating a width of a line indicating an outline of a figure given by a path command. . 37. The drawing condition according to claim 29, wherein the drawing condition given by the path command represents either a character or a figure. Storage media. 38. The storage medium according to claim 29, wherein the drawing condition is the number of a sequence of points constituting a figure given by a path command. 39. The drawing condition according to claim 29, wherein the drawing condition is a stroke command for drawing a line of a figure given by a path command or a fill command for filling the inside of the figure. The storage medium according to any one of the above. 40. The storage medium according to claim 29, further comprising an output step of outputting a bitmap image drawn in any of the plurality of filling steps. 41. The storage medium according to claim 40, wherein said outputting step is a printing step. 42. The storage medium according to claim 40, wherein said output step is a display step.