JP2950420B2 - Output control device and output control method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an output control device for outputting a character pattern to output means using font data of an appropriate dot size corresponding to a specified output dot density. It is.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in this type of printing apparatus, the dot density (for example, 240 DPI (dot per inch), etc.) is fixed, and the font (24 × 24, etc.) is set to be the target dot density. Was customary.

If the printing device does not have the font of the dot density specified in the input printing information, the printing device equipped with only a font such as 240 DPI can print 300 DPI. If specified
Substitute print processing at 240 DPI.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Therefore, when 300 DPI printing is specified, it is 240 DPI,
For example, when a 16 × 16 size font is substituted for printing, the characters become approximately 12 × 12 size print characters, the print format becomes nonuniform, and it is not possible to maintain the same character and symbol.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and derives a dot size of a font for outputting characters in the same size at the changed resolution based on the designation of the resolution. An object of the present invention is to provide an output control device and an output control method capable of outputting characters of various sizes in the same size as before the change in resolution by outputting characters based on the set dot size.

[Means for solving the problem]

An output control device according to the present invention is an output control device capable of outputting characters of a plurality of sizes at the same resolution, and changes when a first resolution is changed to a second resolution. Determining whether a font for outputting characters in the same size as in the output at the first resolution also exists in a plurality of size fonts available at the second resolution at the determined second resolution. Means, selecting means for selecting a font based on the discrimination by the discriminating means, and developing means for developing characters using the font selected by the selecting means.

The image processing apparatus further includes output means for outputting the characters developed by the developing means to a printing mechanism capable of changing the resolution.

Further, the selecting means may select the font when the discriminating means determines that there is a font capable of outputting characters in the same size, and output the characters in the same size by the discriminating means. When it is determined that there is no font that can be used, a font having the closest size is selected.

An output control method according to the present invention is an output control method capable of outputting characters of a plurality of sizes at the same resolution, and changes when a first resolution is changed to a second resolution. Determining whether a font for outputting characters in the same size as in the output at the first resolution also exists in a plurality of size fonts available at the second resolution at the determined second resolution. And a selecting step of selecting a font based on the determination in the determining step; and a developing step of developing characters using the font selected in the selecting step.

The image processing apparatus further includes an output step of outputting the characters developed in the development step to a printing mechanism capable of changing the resolution.

Further, in the selection step, when it is determined that there is a font capable of outputting characters in the same size in the determination step, the font is selected, and the characters are output in the same size in the determination step. When it is determined that there is no font that can be used, a font having the closest size is selected.

[Action]

In the output control device according to the present invention, when the resolution is changed from the first resolution to the second resolution, the determination unit has the same size as the output at the first resolution even at the changed second resolution. It is determined whether a font for outputting characters is present in fonts of a plurality of sizes available at the second resolution. Based on the determination, the selection means selects a font and expands the font using the selected font. When the means expands the character and changes from the first resolution to the second resolution, it expands characters of various sizes in the same size as before the resolution was changed.

Further, the output means outputs the characters expanded by the expansion means to a printing mechanism capable of changing the resolution, and when the resolution is changed from the first resolution to the second resolution, characters of various sizes are converted to the resolution. Print in the same size as before the change.

Further, the selecting means may select the font when the discriminating means determines that there is a font capable of outputting characters in the same size, and output the characters in the same size by the discriminating means. When it is determined that there is no available font, a font of the closest size is selected.

Further, the output control method of the present invention is an output control method capable of outputting characters of a plurality of sizes at the same resolution, and is provided when the first resolution is changed to the second resolution. It is determined whether a font for outputting characters in the same size as when outputting at the first resolution also exists in the changed second resolution among fonts of a plurality of sizes available at the second resolution. Then, a font is selected based on the determination, characters are developed using the selected font, and when the resolution is changed from the first resolution to the second resolution, characters of various sizes are changed in resolution. Deploy in the same size as before.

In addition, since the expanded characters are output to a printing mechanism capable of changing the resolution, when the resolution is changed from the first resolution to the second resolution, characters of various sizes are converted to the same size as before the resolution was changed. Print.

Furthermore, when it is determined that there is a font capable of outputting characters in the same size, the font is selected. When it is determined that there is no font capable of outputting characters in the same size, the font having the closest size is selected. Since a font is selected, a character or the like having an appropriate size is selected as much as possible.

[First Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of an output control 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,
Print output information including character size, print dot density, and the like 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. A first font memory 5 stores, for example, font data for 240 DPI for each size (16 × 16, 24 × 24, 32 × 32, 40 × 40, etc.).

Reference numeral 6 denotes a second font memory which stores, for example, font data for 300 DPI by size (16 × 16, 20 × 20, 24 × 24, 32 × 32, 40).
× 40 etc.).

The character image processing unit 7 processes the image information and character information input via the input interface 3 based on the output from the command analysis circuit 4, and for example, converts a dot image corresponding to a character code into a resolution and a character size specification. In response, the data is read out and output as dot image data via an output interface (output I / F) 8 to a printer engine (for example, a laser beam printer or the like) serving as a printing mechanism (not shown).

In the output control device configured as described above, when the resolution is changed from the first resolution to the second resolution, the determination means (in this embodiment, the MPU of the character image processing unit 7) changes the second resolution. Also in the resolution, it is determined whether a font for outputting characters in the same size as when outputting at the first resolution exists in fonts of a plurality of sizes available at the second resolution, and a selection is made based on the determination. The means (in this embodiment, by the MPU of the character image processing unit 7) selects a font, and using the selected font, the developing means (in this embodiment, the MPU of the character image processing unit 7
When the character is expanded from the first resolution to the second resolution, the character of various sizes is expanded in the same size as before the change of the resolution.

In addition, output means (in this embodiment, by the MPU of the character image processing unit 7) outputs the characters expanded by the expansion means to a print mechanism capable of changing the resolution, and the resolution is changed from the first resolution to the second resolution. In this case, characters and the like of various sizes are printed in the same size as before the change in resolution.

Further, the selecting means may select the font when the discriminating means determines that there is a font capable of outputting characters in the same size, and output the characters in the same size by the discriminating means. When it is determined that there is no available font, a font of the closest size is selected, so that it is possible to select characters and the like of an appropriate size as much as possible.

Further, the output control method of the present invention is an output control method capable of outputting characters of a plurality of sizes at the same resolution, and is provided when the first resolution is changed to the second resolution. It is determined whether a font for outputting characters in the same size as when outputting at the first resolution also exists in the changed second resolution among fonts of a plurality of sizes available at the second resolution. (Step (6) in FIG. 3 (b)), and a selecting step (steps (7), (8), (9) in FIG. 3 (b)) for selecting a font based on the discrimination in the discriminating step. )) And a developing step of developing characters using the font selected in the selecting step (step (10) of FIG. 3A) are executed by the MPU of the character image processing unit 7, and the first From the resolution of the second
When the resolution is changed to, characters of various sizes are developed in the same size as before the change in resolution.

Further, the MPU of the character image processing unit 7 executes an output step (step (11) of FIG. 3A) for outputting the characters developed by the development step to a printing mechanism capable of changing the resolution. When the resolution is changed from the resolution to the second resolution, characters and the like of various sizes are printed in the same size as before the resolution was changed.

Further, in the selection step, when it is determined that there is a font capable of outputting characters in the same size in the determination step, the font is selected, and the characters are output in the same size in the determination step. When it is determined that there is no available font, a font of the closest size is selected, and characters and the like of an appropriate size can be selected as much as possible.

More specifically, the character image processing unit 7 includes an MPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. When a print dot density change command is instructed from the command analysis circuit 4 based on input character / image information, the print dot density The character image processing unit 7 also serving as a font selection unit, when the change designation of the first font memory 5 or the second font memory 5 or the second font memory unit 2 serving as the font information storage unit, is performed based on the font size corresponding to the print dot density being set.
Select font data of an appropriate size corresponding to the designated dot density from the font memory 6 and, for example, at 240 DPI
When a 16 × 16 font is selected and printing is performed and 300 DPI is instructed by the print dot density change command, the same or a similar size after the print dot density change, in this embodiment, 20 × 20 (300/300 240 = 1.25, 16 x 1.25 = 2
(Because it becomes 0), the font data is selected and transferred as print data to the printing mechanism as a dot image.

FIG. 2 shows the first and second font memories 5, 2 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relative relationship of FIG. 6, wherein 5a to 5d indicate font matrix sizes, and 16, 24, 32, and 40 correspond in order from the top, and dot images correspond to the font matrix sizes 5a to 5d by character image processing. The data is developed on the bit map memory of the unit 7.

6a to 6e indicate font matrix sizes, and 16,20,24,32,40 correspond from the top, and dot images are developed on the bitmap memory of the character image processing unit 7 in the font matrix sizes 6a to 6e. You.

As can be seen from this figure, the relative print dot density ratio between 240 DPI and 300 DPI increases from 300/240 to 1.25 times as described above. Therefore, if a change to 300 DPI is instructed during printing processing at 240 DPI, a font with a size of 20 x 20 (16 x 1.25 if 16 x 16 dots) is selected according to the selected character size. Select to print characters of the same size as before the change even after changing the print dot density.

On the other hand, if the relationship cannot be set to the same size as before the change after the print dot density change, for example, if the change to 300 DPI is instructed during printing processing with a font of 240 DPI and 24 × 24, It suffices to select font data having a size of 30 × 30 dots. However, since the second font memory 6 does not have the same size, the nearest 32
Select font data with a size of × 32 dots and 300DPI
Is printed.

Next, the font data selection processing operation according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).

FIGS. 3A and 3B are flow charts 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, the command analysis circuit 4 waits for a command to be input (1). When a command is input, the command is analyzed (2), and it is determined whether the command is a resolution change command (3). Returning to (1), if YES, calculate the changed font size from the font size corresponding to the current print dot density (4), search for fonts of the same size (5), and find fonts of the same size It is determined whether there is any font (6). If YES, the font is taken into the character image processing unit 7 (7), and the process proceeds to step (10). If NO, the closest font is selected (8). ), The font is taken into the character image processing unit 7 (9), and the process proceeds to 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 unit 7 searches the first and second font memories 5 and 6 to select the font data after the change of the print dot density is selected, but as shown in FIG. Alternatively, an optimal font stored in advance may be selected by the output of the command analysis circuit 4 and transferred to the character image processing unit 7.

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

Therefore, when a print dot density change is instructed, the change in 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 changed on the display means and the print dot density value changed while the change After the change is determined, the determined print dot density is displayed so as to be identifiable.

Second Embodiment FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an output control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 11 denotes a host computer, which includes character information, image information, and print control information (typeface). , Character size, print dot density, etc.) are input to an input interface (input I / F) 13.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a display unit for displaying a print resolution change command input state. Reference numeral 14 denotes a command analysis circuit that 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 size of the control unit 15 differs depending on the resolution. For example, font data for 240,300 DPI (16 × 16,24 × 24,32
× 32, 40 × 40, etc.), reads out the font data corresponding to the set print dot density, and develops it in the bitmap memory on the work memory. When the control unit 15 detects the occurrence of the change in the print resolution based on the output of the command analysis circuit 14, the control unit 15 changes the transport clock of the image information and the character information to change the print dot density (mainly the print dot density in the horizontal direction). . The control unit 15 processes the input image information and character information based on the output from the command analysis circuit 14, and reads, for example, a dot image corresponding to a character code in accordance with the resolution and character size specification, and Output interface as data (output I /
F) Output to a printer unit 17 (for example, composed of a laser beam printer) serving as a printing mechanism via 16.

The display unit 12 is a command analysis circuit serving as analysis means.
When the control unit 15 changes the print dot density being set based on the output of 14, when the print dot density value to be changed and the print dot density value to be changed are being changed, both print dot density values are Displays the determined print dot density in an identifiable manner (details will be described later).

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the display unit 12 shown in FIG. 5. Reference numeral 21 denotes a resolution display constituted by, for example, an LED element, 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. Note that while one resolution indicator 21 is on, the resolution indicator 22 is off, and, for example, when the resolution is changed to 300 DPI while the resolution indicator 21 is on (printing at 240 DPI), The resolution display 21 is turned on, the resolution display 22 blinks, and after confirmation, the resolution display 21 is turned off and the resolution display 22 is turned on.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a display, which displays print setting items and the like, for example, a print area and the like by a message. LED1 to LED3 are status indicators, such as online / offline, data reception status,
Displays errors etc. KS1 to KS6 are key switches for setting various print processing modes. The key switch KS1
One of the key switches KS6 to KS6 also serves as a resolution change key, and is configured so that the setting of the resolution can be manually instructed from 240 to 300 DPI or from 300 DPI to 240 DPI.

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

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a resolution display processing procedure according to the present invention. (1) to (8)
Indicates 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. (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,
A process for changing to 300 DPI (resolution B) is started (4).

Next, the resolution indicator 21 is turned on, and the resolution indicator 22 is displayed blinking (5), and the resolution is changed from 240 DPI to 300 D to the operator.
Inform the PI that changes are in progress.

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

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

In the above embodiment, the case where the input of the print resolution change command is instructed and input by any one of the key switches KS1 to KS6 of the display unit 12 has been described. Display only, as shown in FIG.
12 may be limited to only displaying information of the command analysis circuit 14 and the control unit 15.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the resolution change process is in progress and the resolution determined state is identified and displayed by the blinking / lighting process of the resolution indicators 21 and 22 is described. , And green may be displayed as identification candidates or vice versa, or may be displayed in combination with an audio memory.

This allows the user to check the resolution currently being used for print processing at a glance of the display unit without giving any operation instructions, and to grasp the change state transition to what resolution to change when changing the resolution. be able to.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the output control device of the present invention, it is an output control device capable of outputting characters of a plurality of sizes at the same resolution, from the first resolution to the second resolution. When the font is changed, the font for outputting characters at the same size as the font output at the first resolution at the changed second resolution is one of fonts of a plurality of sizes available at the second resolution. A determination unit that determines whether or not the character exists in the image data, a selection unit that selects a font based on the determination by the determination unit, and a development unit that develops a character using the font selected by the selection unit. When the resolution is changed to the second resolution, characters of various sizes can be developed in the same size as before the change in resolution.

In addition, since there is an output unit that outputs the characters expanded by the expansion unit to a printing mechanism that can change the resolution, characters of various sizes can be printed in the same size as before the resolution was changed.

Further, the selecting means may select the font when the discriminating means determines that there is a font capable of outputting characters in the same size, and output the characters in the same size by the discriminating means. When it is determined that there is no available font, the font of the closest size is selected, so that characters and the like of the appropriate size can be selected as much as possible.

Further, according to the output control method of the present invention, there is provided an output control method capable of outputting characters of a plurality of sizes at the same resolution, wherein the first resolution is changed to the second resolution. In the modified second resolution, whether a font for outputting characters in the same size as when outputting at the first resolution is present in fonts of a plurality of sizes available at the second resolution A determining step of determining,
Since there is a selection step of selecting a font based on the determination in the determination step and a development step of developing characters using the font selected in the selection step, the resolution has been changed from the first resolution to the second resolution. In this case, characters of various sizes can be developed in the same size as before the change in resolution.

In addition, since there is an output step of outputting the characters developed in the developing step to a printing mechanism capable of changing the resolution, characters of various sizes can be printed in the same size as before the change in resolution.

Further, in the selection step, when it is determined that there is a font capable of outputting characters in the same size in the determination step, the font is selected, and the characters are output in the same size in the determination step. When it is determined that there is no available font, the font of the closest size is selected, so that characters and the like of the appropriate size can be selected as much as possible.

Therefore, it is possible to output characters of various sizes in the same size as before the resolution is changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an output control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relative relationship between first and second font memories illustrated in FIG.
FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are flowcharts for explaining an example of the procedure of font data selection processing according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block for explaining the configuration of a character / output control device showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character / output control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of a display unit illustrated in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a resolution display processing procedure according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an output control device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a host computer, 2 is a display unit, 3 is an input interface, 4 is a command analysis circuit, 5 is a first font memory, 6 is a second font memory, 7 is a character image processing unit, and 8 is an output interface. is there.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04N 1/387 101 H04N 1/387 101 (72) Inventor Masahiko Murata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yukio Isaka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-59-9573 (JP, A) JP-A-64-87260 (JP, A )

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An output control device capable of outputting characters of a plurality of sizes at the same resolution, wherein a second resolution changed from a first resolution to a second resolution is changed. Determining means for determining whether a font for outputting characters in the same size as when outputting at the first resolution is present in fonts of a plurality of sizes available at the second resolution; and An output control device comprising: a selection unit that selects a font based on a determination by a determination unit; and a development unit that develops a character using the font selected by the selection unit. 2. An output control device according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting a character expanded by said expansion means to a printing mechanism capable of changing the resolution. 3. The selecting means, when it is determined by the determining means that there is a font capable of outputting characters in the same size, selects the font and outputting the characters in the same size by the determining means. 2. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that there is no font that can be made to be displayed, a font having the closest size is selected. 4. An output control method capable of outputting characters of a plurality of sizes at the same resolution, wherein the second resolution is changed when the first resolution is changed to the second resolution. A determination step of determining whether a font for outputting a character in the same size as when outputting at the first resolution also exists in a plurality of size fonts available at the second resolution; An output control method comprising: a selection step of selecting a font based on a determination in a determination step; and a development step of developing characters using the font selected in the selection step. 5. The output control method according to claim 4, further comprising an output step of outputting a character developed in said developing step to a printing mechanism capable of changing the resolution. 6. In the selecting step, when it is determined in the determining step that there is a font capable of outputting characters in the same size, the font is selected, and the characters are output in the same size in the determining step. 5. The output control method according to claim 4, wherein when it is determined that there is no font that can be made to be displayed, a font having the closest size is selected.