JP2854179B2 - Optical printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scanning optical printer which is provided in a computer device and prints a character or a graphic composed of a plurality of pixels.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an optical printer provided in a computer device, when printing a character or a figure on a recording paper or the like, a curved portion or a hatched portion of the character or a figure to be printed in the optical printer is identified and detected. A so-called pattern matching operation is performed, and based on the result, the pixels corresponding to the curved portion or the hatched portion are appropriately deformed by, for example, pulse width modulation, so that the curved portion or the hatched portion of the character or graphic is smoothed. Process and print so that it looks like

The task of identifying and detecting the curved or diagonal portions of a character or figure (hereinafter referred to as pattern matching) is performed by storing an image signal (dot matrix pattern) of the character or figure to be printed and an optical printer in advance. This is performed by comparing and examining the (memory) pattern matching pattern.

[0004] This pattern matching is based on a character or graphic image signal to be printed (hereinafter referred to as a graphic pattern).
Is a complex pattern matching pattern composed of a plurality of pixels stored in the optical printer in advance (hereinafter, referred to as
In order to compare and study, the memory pattern is superimposed on the graphic pattern, and the superimposed memory pattern is moved (scanned) by one pixel in the main scanning direction of scanning light on the graphic pattern. However, each time, it is performed by determining whether or not the graphic pattern in the portion where the memory pattern is superimposed matches a memory pattern stored in the optical printer in advance.

If the memory pattern previously stored in the optical printer matches the graphic pattern in a portion where the memory pattern is superimposed, the memory pattern is stored in accordance with the memory pattern previously stored in the optical printer. The pixel corresponding to the curved portion or the hatched portion of the graphic pattern in the portion where is overlapped is appropriately deformed by, for example, pulse width modulation, and processed so that the curved portion or the hatched portion looks smooth. After processing the entire area of the graphic pattern in this manner, the optical printer prints, for example, characters and graphics on recording paper.

[0006]

However, in such pattern matching, the number of memory patterns to be stored in the optical printer in advance becomes enormous, and each memory pattern is complicatedly constituted by a plurality of pixels. Therefore, storing an entire memory pattern requires an enormous storage area in the optical printer.

Further, in the pattern matching, the memory pattern is superimposed on the graphic pattern, and the superimposed memory pattern is moved (scanned) one pixel at a time in the main scanning direction for scanning light on the graphic pattern. Each time it is necessary to judge whether the graphic pattern of the portion where the memory pattern is superimposed matches a huge number of memory patterns stored in the optical printer in advance, the curved portion of the character and the graphic are required. It takes a very long time to process a shaded area.

[0008]

An optical printer according to the present invention comprises:
In an optical printer that prints a character or figure to be printed by using a plurality of pixels, a pattern matching pattern including a plurality of pixels used for pattern matching for identifying and detecting a curved portion or a hatched portion of the character or figure to be printed.
A storage area for storing down, identifying the curved portion and the hatched portion of the character or graphics to be printed, the detection pattern matching circuit
Based on the information input from the pattern matching circuit.
Zui and, by modifying the pixel which corresponds to the curved portion and the hatched portion,
A pulse width modulation circuit for smoothly forming curved or diagonal lines of characters or figures to be printed,
Circuit prints the pattern matching pattern.
The light is scanned over the entire area of the character or graphic image signal
Move one pixel at a time in the main scanning direction
Pattern matching pattern corresponding to the above area
The text to be printed is determined from the change in the dot arrangement of the pixels that
Identify and detect curved or diagonal lines of characters or figures
It is characterized by becoming.

Further, the storage area, Pas for pattern matching which consists of five pixels arranged in a cross shape
It is characterized by memorizing turns .

[0010]

In the above arrangement, a pattern matching pattern composed of a plurality of pixels used for pattern matching for identifying and detecting a curved portion or a diagonal portion of a character or figure to be printed is converted into an image signal of the character or figure to be printed. In the entire area, the pixel is moved one pixel at a time in the main scanning direction for scanning light,
From the change in the dot arrangement of the pixels constituting the pattern matching pattern corresponding to the above-mentioned area before and after the movement, the curved or diagonal part of the character or figure to be printed is identified and detected, and the pixels corresponding to the curved or diagonal part are detected. Is deformed to smoothly form curved portions and diagonal portions of characters or figures to be printed, and a pattern matching pattern including a plurality of pixels used for the pattern matching is
Because it is composed of five pixels arranged in a cross shape,
The number of memory patterns to be stored in advance in the optical printer is small, and each memory pattern is simply composed of a few pixels. It requires only a small storage area, and does not require much time to process curved and diagonal lines of characters and figures.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 based on FIGS.

In the optical printer of the present invention, a pattern matching pattern stored in advance in the optical printer, which is used for an operation of identifying and detecting a curved portion or a diagonal portion of a character or a figure (hereinafter referred to as pattern matching). (Hereinafter referred to as a memory pattern), as shown in FIG.
It has a cross shape composed of five pixels.

In this memory pattern, five pixels form dots (pixels to be printed, black circles in FIG. 1).
Depending on whether dots are not formed (pixels not printed, white circles in FIG. 1), there are a total of 32 types (A to M in FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 1, the five pixels constituting the cross shape are scanned in the main scanning direction (light scanning) as shown in FIG.
A, B, and C are sequentially assigned in the right direction), and 1, 2, and 3 are sequentially assigned in the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction (the lower direction in FIG. 1), and a pixel at address A1 forms a dot. A1 when performing dot formation, (A1) when not forming dots
When these memory patterns are represented by character expressions,
For example, all five pixels form a dot (see FIG. 1).
In case a), A2B1B2B3C2 results, and all five pixels do not form dots (a in FIG. 1).
(A2) (B1) (B2) (B3) (C2).

Next, a character or graphic image signal to be printed (hereinafter referred to as a graphic pattern) input from a computer device (not shown) is compared with the memory pattern.
For consideration, as shown in FIG. 2, the same cross as the memory pattern is applied to the graphic pattern. When examining the dot arrangement of the five pixels in the figure pattern of the portion to which the cross is applied, the dot arrangement of the five pixels always matches any of the 32 types of the memory patterns.

At this time, the method of applying the same cross shape as the above memory pattern to the graphic pattern is as follows. First, from the starting point (upper left corner in FIG. 2) of scanning the light of the graphic pattern, the main scanning direction (FIG. After moving one pixel at a time in the right direction (in the right direction in FIG. 2), and then moving one pixel in the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction (downward in FIG. 2), similarly, in the main scanning direction (light scanning) The fitting is performed while moving one pixel at a time in the rightward direction in FIG. 2, and finally, the fitting is performed while moving one pixel at a time toward the end point of scanning light (the lower right corner in FIG. 2).

Then, for the graphic pattern of the portion to which the cross is applied in this manner, a memory pattern that matches the graphic pattern of the portion to which the cross is applied,
A memory pattern that matches the figure pattern of the portion where the cross shape has been applied immediately after moving by one pixel in the main scanning direction of scanning light is compared.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a memory pattern matching the figure pattern (a, b, c, d in FIG. 2) of the portion to which the cross is applied, and light scanning as shown in FIG. The graphic pattern (a ′, b ′, c ′, and c ′ in FIG. 3) of the portion to which the cross shape is applied immediately after being moved by one pixel in the main scanning direction.
By comparing the memory pattern matching d ') and identifying a change in the dot arrangement of the five pixels, the boundary between the curved or shaded portion of the character or figure to be printed and the blank part without the character or figure to be printed is obtained. Is detected.

By the way, considering the relationship between a curved portion or a hatched portion of a character or figure to be printed and a peripheral blank portion where the curved portion or the hatched portion is not in contact with the printed character or figure.
It is classified into the following four.

(1) There is a character or a figure on the lower side with the boundary rising upward (for example, FIG. 2A). (2) There is a character or a figure on the upper side with the boundary rising upward (for example, FIG. 2B). (3) There is a character or a figure below the boundary at the lower right (for example, c in FIG. 2). (4) There is a character or a figure on the upper side with the boundary falling to the right (for example, d in FIG. 2).

In these four cases, as shown in FIG. 2, a memory pattern matching the figure pattern (a, b, c, d in FIG. 2) of the portion to which the cross is applied, and a memory pattern as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a graphic pattern of a portion to which a cross is applied immediately after moving by one pixel in the main scanning direction of scanning light (FIG.
Comparing memory patterns matching a ′, b ′, c ′, d ′), the change in the dot arrangement of the five pixels is the character expression described above, and (1) is (A2) (B1) (B2 ) (B
3) Change from C2 to (A2) (B1) B2B3C2. That is, the dot arrangement of the five pixels changes from (d) to (no) in FIG.

(2) A2B1B2 (B3) (C2)
To A2 (B1) (B2) (B3) (C2). That is, the dot arrangement of the five pixels changes from (D) to (G) in FIG.

(3) is A2 (B1) B2 B3 (C2)
To A2 (B1) (B2) (B3) (C2). That is, the dot arrangement of the five pixels changes from (nu) to (f) in FIG.

[0024] (4) corresponds to (A2) (B1) (B2) (B
3) Change from C2 to (A2) B1B2 (B3) C2. That is, the dot arrangement of the five pixels changes from (h) to (f) in FIG.

Therefore, in order to detect a curved portion or a hatched portion of a character or figure to be printed, it is sufficient to identify a change in the dot arrangement of the four types of five pixels as shown in FIG.

In the case of a change in the dot arrangement of the five pixels represented by the above (1) and (4), the pixels in the graphic pattern (a, d in FIG. 2) of the cross-shaped part are applied. C2, that is, B2 of the pixel in the figure pattern (a ′, d ′ in FIG. 3) of the portion where the cross shape is applied immediately after moving by one pixel in the main scanning direction for scanning light, for example, which will be described later. The light beam of the optical printer is controlled by the pulse width modulation, and as shown in FIG.

Similarly, in the case of a change in the dot arrangement of the five pixels represented by the above (2) and (3), the figure pattern (b, c in FIG. 2) of the cross-shaped portion is applied. B2 of the pixel, that is, C2 of the pixel in the graphic pattern (b ′, c ′ in FIG. 3) of the portion where the cross shape is applied immediately after moving by one pixel in the main scanning direction for scanning light, for example, The light beam of the optical printer is controlled by the pulse width modulation to be performed, and as shown in FIG.

Pixels which are identified and detected by the above-described pattern matching and which correspond to curved or hatched portions of characters and figures as indicated by white circles in FIG. Are modulated to form Thereafter, when characters and figures are printed on a recording paper by an optical printer, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, smooth characters and figures with improved jaggies at the curved portions and hatched portions of the characters and figures are printed. .

Next, the light beam of the optical printer is controlled.
For example, pulse width modulation will be described below as a method of deforming a pixel so as to improve jaggies in a curved portion or a hatched portion of a character or a figure.

As a circuit for performing pulse width modulation for deforming pixels, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, first, a character and graphic image signal sent from a computer device (not shown) is constituted by an LSI or the like. The signal is input to the pattern matching circuit 1 and the pattern matching circuit 1 performs the above pattern matching. Pattern matching circuit 1
Outputs to the pulse width modulation circuit 2 the information on the curved and diagonal lines of the identified and detected characters and figures, and the pulse width modulation circuit 2 modulates the pulse width of the frequency clock with the information input from the pattern matching circuit 1. And as shown in FIG.
The clock horizontal synchronizing signal (CLKH1 to CLKH1 in FIG. 8) is output to the AND gate 5 described later.

The pulse width modulation circuit 2 has four types of dot arrangement changes of five pixels indicating a curved portion or a hatched portion of a character or a figure as described above, as shown in FIG. In the case of the change in the dot arrangement of the five pixels represented by () and (4), a clock horizontal synchronization signal (CLKH1 in FIG. 8) whose pulse width gradually increases is output, and (2)
In the case of the change in the dot arrangement of the five pixels represented by (3) and (3), a clock horizontal synchronizing signal (CLKH2 in FIG. 8) whose pulse width gradually decreases is output. In other cases,
The clock horizontal synchronization signal whose pulse width does not change (C in FIG. 8)
LKH3) is output.

Accordingly, of the four types of change in the dot arrangement of the five pixels, the change in the dot arrangement of the five pixels represented by the above (1) and (4) is as shown in FIG. When printing, the left dot is narrowed. When the dot arrangement of the five pixels represented by (2) and (3) is changed, as shown in FIG. In other cases, normal dots are printed when printed.

On the other hand, the character and graphic image signals sent from the computer are also input to the decoder 3, and the decoder 3 converts the number of bits of the character and graphic image signals sent from the computer into an optical printer. Output to the latch circuit 4. The latch circuit 4 latches the character and graphic image signals input from the decoder 3 by inserting a delay line into a transfer clock or the like, and outputs the latched character and graphic image signals to the AND gate 5.

The AND gate 5 multiplies the clock horizontal synchronizing signal by the latched character and graphic image signals, and outputs pulse width modulated character and graphic image signals to the transistor 7 through the OR gate 6. 7 outputs the above signal to the semiconductor laser 8. In this manner, the light beam control of the optical printer is performed, and the pulse width modulated character and graphic image signals are transmitted to the semiconductor laser 8.
To form a light beam, for example, printed on a recording paper to form characters and figures.

With the above arrangement, as shown in FIG. 6, the jaggies of the curved portions and the diagonal lines of the characters and figures can be reduced without spending time on pattern matching for identifying and detecting the curved parts and the diagonal lines of the characters or figures. It is possible to print improved characters and graphics smoothly.

[0036]

As described above, the optical printer of the present invention has the following features.
A storage area for storing a pattern matching pattern composed of a plurality of pixels used for pattern matching for identifying and detecting a curved portion or a hatched portion of a character or figure to be printed.
And the curved or diagonal part of the character or figure to be printed,
A pattern matching circuit to be detected and the pattern match
A pulse width modulation circuit that deforms the pixels corresponding to the above-mentioned curved portions and diagonal lines based on the information input from the printing circuit to form the curved lines and diagonal lines of the character or graphic to be printed smoothly.
And the pattern matching circuit includes
Pattern for character or figure to be printed
One pixel in the main scanning direction for scanning light over the entire area of the image signal
And move it to the area before and after the movement.
Of the pixels that make up the pattern matching pattern
From the change in the bit arrangement, the curved part of the character or figure to be printed
And shaded parts are identified and detected.
In addition, the storage area includes a pattern matching pattern composed of five pixels arranged in a cross shape.
This is the configuration that has been stored .

Therefore, the number of memory patterns to be stored in the optical printer in advance is small, and each memory pattern is simply composed of several pixels. In addition, only a small storage area is required in the optical printer, and the time required to smoothly process curved and diagonal portions of characters and figures can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing 32 types of memory patterns composed of five pixels used for pattern matching according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the same cross shape as a memory pattern is applied to a graphic pattern in order to perform the pattern matching.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the same cross pattern as a memory pattern is applied to a graphic pattern in order to perform the pattern matching.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of performing the above-described pattern matching to identify and detect curved portions and hatched portions of characters and figures.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a curved portion and a hatched portion of characters and figures are identified and detected by the pattern matching.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing characters and figures printed by applying the optical printer of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a method of performing pulse width modulation for smoothly forming a curved portion or a hatched portion of the character or figure.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a clock horizontal synchronization signal for performing the pulse width modulation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pattern matching circuit 2 Pulse width modulation circuit 3 Decoder 4 Latch circuit 7 Transistor 8 Semiconductor laser

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 1/40-1/409 H04N 1/46 H04N 1/60

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An optical printer which prints a character or figure to be printed by a plurality of pixels and comprises a plurality of pixels used for pattern matching for identifying and detecting a curved part or a hatched part of the character or figure to be printed. Storage area for storing pattern matching patterns
When identifying the curved portion and the hatched portion of the character or graphics to be printed, the detection
Pattern matching circuit, and based on information input from the pattern matching circuit.
Te, by modifying the pixel which corresponds to the curved portion and the hatched portion, and a pulse width modulation circuit to smoothly form a curved portion and the hatched portion of the character or graphics to be printed, the pattern matching circuit, the pattern matching
Pattern for all characters or graphics to be printed.
In the area, the pixel is moved one pixel at a time in the main scanning direction for scanning light.
The pattern corresponding to the above area before and after the movement.
Of the dot array of the pixels that
From the change, the curved or shaded part of the character or figure to be printed
An optical printer characterized by identifying and detecting . 2. A pattern matching pattern , wherein said storage area is composed of five pixels arranged in a cross shape.
2. The optical printer according to claim 1 , wherein the data is stored .