JP2815849B2 - PRINTING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF PRINTING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a first resolution and a first resolution.
And print multiple size characters at each of the second resolutions.
The present invention relates to a controllable printing apparatus and a printing apparatus control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of printing apparatus, the dot density (for example, 240 DPI (dot per inch), etc.) is fixed, and the font (24.times.24, etc.) also has the target dot density. Was usually set to.

If the printing device does not have a font having the dot density specified in the input printing information, the printing device has only a font such as 240 DPI. When 300 DPI printing is designated, substitute printing processing is performed at 240 DPI.

[0004]

Therefore, 300 DPI
If printing is specified, 240 DPI, for example, 16
When substitute fonts of × 16 size are used, about 1
There is a problem that printed characters of 2 × 12 size become non-uniform, and that it is not possible to maintain the same character and symbol.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has been made in order to change a first resolution to a second resolution.
Is specified as the changed second resolution.
Font data based on the character size
When characters are printed using the selected font data,
Indicates that the resolution has been changed from the first resolution to the second resolution.
Resolution by displaying so that the operator can identify
Characters can be printed properly according to the
Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a control method for the printing apparatus, which enable an operator to identify that the resolution has been changed .

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising a plurality of printing apparatuses each having a first resolution and a second resolution.
A printing device capable of printing characters of a size,
When the change from the resolution of the second to the second resolution is instructed,
Changed second resolution and specified font size
Select font data based on the selected font data.
Processing means for printing characters using the data,
When a change from the resolution to the second resolution is commanded,
In which the operator that it has been changed from the first resolution to the second resolution and a display means for performing display so as to identify.

[0007] A method of controlling a printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following steps .
Of multiple sizes at each of the second resolution and the second resolution.
A method of controlling a printing apparatus capable of printing characters, wherein a change from a first resolution to a second resolution is instructed.
The modified second resolution and the specified character size
Font data based on the
And print the characters using the
Operator is to Umo line display so as to identify that it has been changed to the second resolution from the time.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a host computer, which includes character information, image information, and print control information (font, character size). , Print dot density, etc.) is input to the character image processing unit 7.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a display unit for displaying a print resolution change command input state. A command analysis circuit 4 analyzes a print resolution change command and notifies the character image processing unit 7 of the occurrence of the print resolution change and the designation of the print dot density.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a first font memory which stores font data for, for example, 240 DPI by size (16 × 16, 24 × 24, 3
2 × 32, 40 × 40, etc.).

Reference numeral 6 denotes a second font memory, for example, 300
Font data for DPI is classified by size (16 × 16,2
0 × 20, 24 × 24, 32 × 32, 40 × 40, etc.).

The character image processing section 7 processes image information and character information input via the input interface (input I / F) 3 based on the output from the command analysis circuit 4,
For example, the dot image corresponding to the character code
The data is read in accordance with the designation of the character size, and is output as dot image data to a printer engine (for example, a laser beam printer or the like) serving as a printing mechanism (not shown) via an output interface (output I / F) 8.

Note that the character image processing unit 7 is an MPU, RO
M, RAM, etc., and when a print dot density change command is instructed from the command analysis circuit 4 based on input character / image information, a character image serving also as a font selecting means when a change in print dot density is specified. Processing unit 7
Selects font data of an appropriate size corresponding to the designated dot density from the first font memory 5 or the second font memory 6 serving as font information storage means based on the font size corresponding to the print dot density being set. For example, while a 16 × 16 font is selected at 240 DPI and printing is being performed, 300
When the DPI is instructed, the same size or a size close to it after the print dot density is changed.
× 20 (300/240 = 1.25, 16 × 1.
(= 25 = 20) font data is selected and transferred as print data to the printing mechanism as a dot image.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relative relationship between the first and second font memories 5 and 6 shown in FIG.
Reference numerals 5 through 5 denote font matrix sizes, which correspond to 16, 24, 32, and 40 in order from the top, and dot images are developed on the bitmap memory of the character image processing unit 7 in the font matrix sizes 5a through 5d.

Reference numerals 6a to 6e denote font matrix sizes, which correspond to 16, 20, 24, 32, and 40 in the order from the top. A dot image corresponds to the font matrix size 6a to 6e in the bitmap memory of the character image processing unit 7. Will be expanded to.

As can be seen from this figure, 240 DPI and 3
The relative print dot density ratio to 00DPI is 3
It becomes 1.25 times from 00/240. Therefore, 240D
When a change to 300 DPI is instructed during the printing process by the PI, according to the selected character size,
For 16 × 16 dots, 16 × 1.25 = 20 × 20
Is selected, and characters of the same size as before the change are printed after the print dot density is changed.

On the other hand, if the size cannot be changed to the same size as before the change after the print dot density is changed, for example, 240 DPI
And when a change to 300 DPI is instructed during the printing process using a font of 24 × 24 size, 3
It is only necessary to select font data of a size of 0 × 30 dots. However, since the second font memory 6 does not have the same size, font data of a size of 32 × 32 dots closest to it is selected. Print at 300 DPI.

Next, the operation of the font data selection processing according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts for explaining an example of the font data selection processing procedure according to the present invention.
Note that (1) to (11) indicate each step.

First, a command input from the command analysis circuit 4 is waited for (1), and when the command is input, the command is analyzed (2) and it is determined whether or not the command is a resolution change command (3), NO If so, return to step (1). If YES, calculate the font size after the change from the font size corresponding to the current print dot density (4), search for a font having the same size (5), and Judge whether there is any font (6),
If S, the font is taken into the character image processing unit 7 (7), and the process proceeds to step (10). If NO, the font of the closest size is selected (8), and the font is sent to the character image processing unit 7. The process proceeds to capture (9) and step (10).

Next, image processing of the input characters and images is performed (10). The dot image data (print data) of the printing mechanism is output via the output interface 8 (11).

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the character image processing section 7 searches the first and second font memories 5 and 6 to select the font data after the print dot density has been changed has been described. As shown in the figure, the optimum font stored in advance may be selected based on the output of the command analysis circuit 4 and transferred to the character image processing unit 7.

On the other hand, even if a change in the print dot density occurs as described above, in order to grasp the determined current print dot density, a complicated panel operation is performed to display the print dot density on a liquid crystal module or the like. To confirm, in a character image information output device where the print dot density can be changed, what is the resolution of the print dot density currently being printed and output, or what DPI is required when changing the print dot? It is difficult to grasp whether the resolution has been changed to the DPI level only by looking at the display panel, and it is necessary to stop printing once or operate the panel to check the dot density.

Therefore, when the print dot density change is instructed, the change of the print dot density and the determined print dot density are clearly displayed as described later.

That is, when the change means changes the print dot density being set based on the output of the analysis means, the print dot density value to be changed to the display means and the print dot density value to be changed are changed while the change is being made. After the change of the dot density value is determined, the determined print dot density is displayed so as to be identifiable.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a character / image information output apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a host computer, which outputs print output information including character information, image information, and print control information (font, character size, print dot density, etc.) to an input interface (input I / F) 13. input.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a display unit for displaying a print resolution change command input state. A command analysis circuit 14 analyzes a print resolution change command, and notifies the control unit 15 serving as a character image processing unit of the occurrence of the print resolution change and the designation of the print dot density. The control unit 15 stores font data (for example, 240 × 300 DPI font data (16 × 16, 24 × 24, 32 × 32, 40
× 40 etc.), read out font data corresponding to the set print dot density, and develop it in the bit map memory on the work memory.

The control unit 15 is provided with a command analysis circuit 14
When the change of the print resolution is detected by the output of (1), the transfer clock of the image information and the character information is changed to change the print dot density (mainly the print dot density in the horizontal direction). Further, the control unit 15 processes the input image information and character information based on the output from the command analysis circuit 14, and reads out, for example, a dot image corresponding to the character code according to the resolution and character size specification, and Output interface (output I / F) 16 as data
Through a printer unit 17 (for example, a laser beam printer) serving as a printing mechanism.

The display unit 12 displays the changed print dot density value and the changed print dot density when the control unit 15 changes the print dot density being set based on the output of the command analysis circuit 14 serving as analysis means. While the dot density value is being changed, both print dot density values are displayed so that the determined print dot density can be identified after the change is confirmed (details will be described later).

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the display section 12 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a resolution display composed of, for example, LED elements, which is turned on when 240 DPI is set. Reference numeral 22 denotes a resolution display composed of, for example, LED elements, which is turned on when 300 DPI is set.

When one resolution indicator 21 is turned on, the resolution indicator 22 is turned off. For example, when the resolution indicator 21 is turned on (during printing at 240 DPI) and the resolution is changed to 300 DPI, During the change, the resolution indicator 21 is turned on, the resolution indicator 22 blinks, and after confirmation, the resolution indicator 21 is turned off and the resolution indicator 22 is turned on.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a display, for example, print setting items.
For example, a print area or the like is displayed by a message. LED1
The LED 3 is a status indicator for displaying, for example, online / offline, data reception presence / absence, an error, and the like. KS1-K
S6 is a key switch for setting various print processing modes. Any one of the key switches KS1 to KS6 also serves as a resolution change key, and the resolution is changed from 240 to 300 DPI or from 300 DPI to 24 DPI.
The configuration is such that setting can be manually instructed to 0DPI.

Next, the resolution display processing operation according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the resolution display processing procedure of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. (1) to (8) indicate each step.

First, it waits for a command to be input from the host computer 11 (1). When the command is input, the command analysis circuit 14 performs command analysis processing (2), and determines whether the command is a resolution change designation command. Is determined (3). If the determination is YES, for example, if the print dot density is currently set to 240 DPI (resolution A), the resolution obtained in step (3)
In this embodiment, processing for changing to 300 DPI (resolution B) is started (4).

Next, the resolution indicator 21 is turned on, and the resolution indicator 22 is blinked (5) to alert the operator that the resolution is being changed from 240 DPI to 300 DPI.

Next, it is determined whether or not the resolution changing process has been completed (6). If NO, the process returns to step (5).
If YES, the resolution display 21 is turned off, the resolution display 22 is turned on (7), and the process proceeds to the next printing process.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is NO, the resolution indicator 21 is lit as it is (continuous display) (8), and the display process is completed.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the input of the print resolution change command is instructed by any of the key switches KS1 to KS6 of the host computer 11 or the display unit 12. Only the host computer 11 is limited, and as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the information may be limited to only displaying the information of the control unit 15.

In the above embodiment, the resolution display 2
Although the case where the resolution change process is in progress and the resolution determination state is identified and displayed by the blinking / lighting processing of the steps 1 and 22 has been described, identification display is performed by color coding, for example, red is a change candidate and green is a change candidate or vice versa. May be displayed in combination with the voice memory.

Thus, without giving any operation instruction, the user can check the resolution currently being provided for the printing process at a glance of the display unit, and at the time of changing the resolution, determine the resolution to be changed. Can be grasped.

As described above, according to the above embodiments, font information storage means for storing a plurality of font data corresponding to different print dot densities by size,
Font change means for selecting font data of an appropriate size corresponding to the dot density specified from the font information storage means based on the font size corresponding to the print dot density being set when a change designation of the print dot density occurs. With this arrangement, when a change in resolution is instructed, a character image can be printed with a font having an optimum character size that does not change the print character size or has substantially the same size.
Therefore, even if the resolution is changed on a page-by-page basis, an excellent effect of maintaining the uniformity of the output characters is achieved.

[0044]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, when a change from the first resolution to the second resolution is instructed , the changed second resolution is instructed. resolution
Font data based on the character size specified as
Select and print characters using selected font data
At the same time , the display is performed so that the operator can recognize that the resolution has been changed from the first resolution to the second resolution .
Characters can be printed properly according to the resolution change.
And let the operator know that the resolution has been changed.
There is an effect that it is possible that.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relative relationship between first and second font memories illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a font data selection processing procedure according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a font data selection processing procedure according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character / image information output apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of a display unit illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a resolution display processing procedure of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character / image information output apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Display part 3 Input interface 4 Command analysis circuit 5 First font memory 6 Second font memory 7 Character image processing part 8 Output interface

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yukio Isaka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-63-92162 (JP, A) JP-A-64 -87260 (JP, A) JP-A-59-9975 (JP, A) JP-A-62-26572 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 5/44 B41J 2/44 H04N 1/387 101

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first resolution and a second resolution.
A printing device that can print characters of multiple sizes
Therefore, when the change from the first resolution to the second resolution is instructed,
The modified second resolution and the specified character size
Font data based on the
Processing means for printing characters using the default data, and a command to change from the first resolution to the second resolution.
And when the printing apparatus this <br/> and the operator from the first resolution has been changed to the second resolution and having a display means for performing display so as to identify. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second resolutions are different.
A printing device that can print multiple sizes of characters
A control method, the field changes from the first resolution to the second resolution has been commanded
The modified second resolution and the specified character size
Font data based on the
And print the characters using the
Control <br/> method of a printing apparatus operator that it has been changed to the second resolution, wherein the TURMERIC line display so as to identify the time.