JP2976419B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and, more particularly, to a printing apparatus for performing stereoscopic printing in which desired characters, figures, marks, and the like appear to be three-dimensionally raised using a basic dot pattern.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, personal computers and workstations have been introduced in accordance with the progress of office automation in companies and the like, and these computers and the like and printers capable of high-speed printing such as laser printers and dot printers have become the same as network systems. A connection is made with a cable, desired document data or image data stored in a computer or the like is transmitted, and can be printed by a desired printer. Here, in general, when these characters and figures are printed so that they can be seen in three dimensions, shadows are formed on the right side and the lower side of the characters and figures so that the characters and figures can be pseudo-stereoscopically viewed. The print data of the shadow portion is attached to the print data of the print data.

By the way, recently, as shown in FIG.
1, A2 = B1, B2 = C1, C2 = D1,... Are repeated in a horizontal direction while a pattern having a predetermined length is repeated while changing the width of the pattern in the horizontal direction. When configured, A can be seen from A1 and A2,
B can be seen from B1 and B2, and C can be seen from C1 and C2. Here, A2 and B1, B2 and C1,... Are the same part. Therefore, if the distance between the parts viewed like A1 and A2 is narrow, it looks close, and if the distance between the parts viewed like B1 and B2 is wide, Looks far away. Utilizing this, a printing technique is known that prints a dot pattern in which characters and figures appear three-dimensionally by making them look dimly distant.

[0004]

As described above, the printer is configured to receive print data from a computer or the like and print characters and figures on print paper based on the print data. However, the printer does not create and print the dot pattern data that looks three-dimensional.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus which can easily perform stereoscopic printing in which characters and figures are stereoscopically viewed.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising:
As shown by the solid line in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, an interface for receiving print data of characters, symbols, or graphics;
Font storage means storing font data of characters and symbols, data processing means for expanding print data from the interface into dot pattern data with or without font data, and dot pattern data from the data processing means. In a printing apparatus provided with printing means for printing on a printing medium, a contour calculating means for calculating a contour of a character, a symbol or a figure designated by print data, and dot pattern data of an arbitrary basic pattern having a predetermined length are stored in advance. Based on the stored basic pattern storage means, the contour data from the contour calculation means, and the basic pattern data from the basic pattern storage means, the basic pattern is continuously repeated in its length direction, and Dot pattern data that repeats continuously or not in the orthogonal direction, Is obtained by a pattern data generating means for outputting to printing means the basic pattern partially generate the changed dot pattern data were in.

A printing device according to a second aspect of the present invention, as shown by a two-dot chain line in the functional block diagram of FIG. And means for selecting whether to print via the means and the pattern data generating means.

[0008]

In the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the contour calculating means calculates a contour of a character, a symbol or a figure specified by the print data received via the interface. By the way, since the basic pattern storage means previously stores dot pattern data of an arbitrary basic pattern having a predetermined length, the pattern data generating means stores the outline data from the outline calculation means and the outline data from the basic pattern storage means. Based on the data of the basic pattern, dot pattern data that repeats the basic pattern continuously in its length direction, and repeats continuously or not in the direction perpendicular to the length direction, and In step (1), dot pattern data in which the basic pattern is partially changed is generated and output to the printing means. As a result, the printing means prints on the printing medium based on the dot pattern data.

That is, as described with reference to FIG. 11, inside a contour of a character, a symbol or a figure, dot pattern data obtained by partially changing the basic pattern is repeatedly developed and printed. Inside
When a pattern shorter than the predetermined length of the basic pattern is repeated, the focus of the character, symbol or figure becomes closer, and by looking at the distance dimly, it emerges and looks three-dimensional. When a long pattern is repeated, the focus of the character, symbol or figure becomes farther away, and similarly, if you look far away, it will sink and appear three-dimensional.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a laser printer LP that receives and prints document data and image data transmitted from an external device such as a personal computer. The control system of the laser printer LP will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 2. Since this control system is basically the same as the control system of a general laser printer, it will be briefly described.

The control unit 10 of the laser printer LP includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a ROM connected to the CPU 11 via a bus 17 such as a data bus.
The serial / parallel print data received from an external device (not shown) such as a computer via a data receiving interface (I / F) 15 is supplied to a bus 17.
Further, a panel interface (P / I / F) 16 for receiving a signal from the operation panel 18 is connected to the bus 17.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 18 is provided with a liquid crystal display 21 capable of displaying katakana, numbers and symbols for a plurality of characters, a select key 22 for alternately switching between online and offline, and a laser printer LP. A mode key 23 for changing the selected setting and setting contents of the plurality of operation modes, a stereoscopic key 24 for stereoscopically printing characters, symbols and marks, and other necessary function keys are provided. . The engine control unit 14 includes:
The microcomputer includes a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and outputs a drive signal to the laser printing mechanism 19.

The ROM 12 stores a control program for printing control and various control programs specific to the present invention, which will be described later, and outline data (outline font data) defining an outline for each of a large number of characters and symbols. Have been. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the ROM 12 has one dot consisting of a predetermined number of dots (corresponding to a predetermined length L, for example, 38 dots) used for stereoscopic printing in which characters, marks, and the like can be viewed three-dimensionally. A basic pattern memory 12a storing dot pattern data DP of a basic pattern of a row is provided. In the RAM 13, a document data memory for storing received document data and fixed form data, a drawing data memory for storing received drawing data, and an image data memory 13a for storing expanded dot pattern data for one page (FIG. 7 to 9), a pattern data memory for storing the received basic pattern data, a work memory, a memory and a buffer for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by the CPU 11, and the like.

Next, a printing control routine performed by the control unit 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the figure, reference symbol Si (i = 1
1, 12, 13,...) Are each step. Prior to receiving data from the external device, when the stereoscopic key 24 is operated on the operation panel 18 to perform stereoscopic printing, the stereoscopic flag LF is set, and when stereoscopic printing is not performed, the stereoscopic flag LF is set. The viewing flag LF has been reset.

When the power of the laser printer LP is turned on, this control is started, and the RAM 13 and the laser printing mechanism 19 are respectively initialized (S11). Then, the data is received via the interface 15 (S12),
If the data is character data such as characters or symbols (S13, S14: Yes), the character data is stored in the document data memory (S15), and the process returns to S13. However, when the received data is drawing data (S13, S14: N
o, S16: Yes), the drawing data is stored in the drawing data memory (S17), and the process returns to S13. On the other hand, when the received data is the basic pattern data DP (S13, S13
14. S16: No, S18: Yes), stored in the pattern data memory (S19), and returns to S13.

Then, a form feed command (FF
Command) when data is received (S13, S14, S16)
(S18: No, S20: Yes) When the stereoscopic flag LF is set (S22: Yes), stereoscopic print processing control (see FIG. 5) is executed (S23). However, when the stereoscopic flag LF is reset (S22: N
o), the normal printing process is executed (S24), and the routine goes to S25. Here, the normal printing process is a general printing process for printing received characters and figures, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

When the stereoscopic printing process control is started, if the character data does not exist in the document data memory and the drawing data exists in the drawing data memory (S31: N
o), the drawing data is read (S33), and a large number of start points in each dot row DL of the drawing graphic Z are obtained from the contour data obtained when the drawing graphic Z based on the drawing data is developed in the image data memory 13a. And the end point position data (coordinate data) are obtained (S34). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, from the outline data of a rectangular drawing graphic Z based on the drawing data, position data Za, Zb, Zc... Of a large number of start points in each dot row DL of the drawing graphic Z.
, And position data Ea, Eb, Ec,... Of a large number of end points corresponding to the start point are obtained.

By the way, when this control is started,
When character data exists in the document data memory (S
31: Yes), the font data based on the character data is read out from the ROM 12, and the outline data enlarged to have the designated size is obtained (S32), and S34.
Then, similarly, position data of a large number of start points and end points in each dot row DL of characters and symbols is obtained from the outline data (S34). For example, as shown in FIG.
From the outline data of the character "A", the position data Sa, S of a number of start points in each dot row DL of the character "A"
b, Sc, Sd, Se, Sf... and position data Ea, Eb, E of a large number of end points corresponding to the start points
c, Ed, Ee, Ef... are each required.

Next, a stereoscopic dot pattern data creation process is executed based on the start point position data, the end point position data, and the basic dot pattern data DP stored in the basic pattern memory 12a (S35). ). This stereoscopic dot pattern data creation processing is described in FIG.
Explaining with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the image data memory 13
3A, the basic dot pattern data DP is continuously repeated plural times from the upper left reference position P0 of the image data memory 13a in the length direction of the basic dot pattern data DP (to the right in the figure). The data DP is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (downward in the figure) and continuously repeated a plurality of times.

When the basic dot pattern data DP is sequentially repeated rightward and downward, the basic dot pattern data DP coincides with the start point position data Za, Zb, Zc... The transformed dot pattern data having the pattern length B obtained by deleting a predetermined number of dots from the dot pattern data DP is developed, and the position data Ea, Eb, Ec,.
... until the basic dot pattern data D
Shortened dot pattern data having a pattern length of C from which a predetermined number of dots have been deleted in the start portion of P is sequentially developed following the modified dot pattern data. That is, within the drawing graphic Z, shortened dot pattern data that is shorter than the basic dot pattern data DP that is developed outside the drawing graphic Z by the amount corresponding to the deletion of the start portion is developed. The visual dot pattern data is stored in the image data memory 13a.

Next, a drive signal based on the stereoscopic dot pattern data developed in the image data memory 13a is output from the engine control unit 14 to the laser printing mechanism 19 and printed on printing paper (S36). Then, the process returns to S25 of the print control. When data reception is continued (S25: No), S13 and subsequent steps are repeated, and when data reception is completed (S25: Ye
s), proceed to S12. Here, in the stereoscopic dot pattern shown in FIG. 9, the basic dot pattern data DP is repeatedly developed outside the drawing figure Z, while the shortened dot pattern data is repeatedly generated inside the drawing figure Z. As the image is unfolded, the eyes are blurred so that the other side of the print paper is blurred. It becomes closer, and the figure Z can be seen three-dimensionally as if it were raised. Note that the shortened dot pattern data is repeatedly developed inside the outline of the character "A" shown in FIG. You can see.

As described above, the basic dot pattern data DP is continuously repeated in the right direction, and the dot pattern data which is aligned in the downward direction and is continuously repeated is generated. In, the shortened dot pattern data in which the basic dot pattern data DP is partially deleted is repeatedly developed and printed, so that a pattern shorter than the predetermined length L of the basic dot pattern data DP is repeated within the outline. When the character, the symbol or the figure becomes closer to the focal point, and looks dimly and far away, the character, symbol or figure appears to be three-dimensional. Further, since the operation panel 18 is provided with a stereoscopic key 24 for selecting normal printing for printing the print data as it is or for stereoscopic printing, characters and figures can be printed normally by operating the stereoscopic key 24. In addition, three-dimensional printing can be performed as necessary.

Here, the correspondence between each means described in the claims and the configuration in the above embodiment will be described. The contour calculating means corresponds to S34 for controlling the stereoscopic print processing. The equivalent of the basic pattern storage means is the basic pattern memory of the ROM 12, and the equivalent of the pattern data generating means is S35 and S36 of the stereoscopic print processing control.

In the stereoscopic dot pattern data creation processing, when the basic dot pattern data DP is sequentially repeated rightward and downward, respectively, the start point position data Za, Zb, Zc,... When it is matched, the basic dot pattern data DP is developed with modified dot pattern data having a pattern length obtained by increasing a predetermined number of dots to the left of this start position from the start position,
Similarly, the extended dot pattern data with the predetermined number of dots increased is also developed for the dot pattern to be continued thereafter,
You may comprise so that it may sink and look three-dimensionally. Furthermore, when the basic dot pattern data DP is sequentially repeated downward, the basic dot pattern data DP may be repeated without being aligned.

The basic dot pattern data DP transmitted from an external device and stored in the pattern data memory may be used as the basic dot pattern data DP. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, it may be constituted by rectangular dot pattern data having a length L1 generated by a random function and a width W1 or various dot pattern data. Of course, the present invention can be applied to various printing apparatuses such as a printer of a wire dot printing system and a printer of a thermal printing system.

[0026]

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of the first aspect, the contour calculating means, the basic pattern storing means, and the pattern data generating means are provided, and the basic pattern is continuously recorded in the length direction. And dot pattern data that repeats continuously with or without alignment in the direction perpendicular to the length direction, and changes the basic pattern partially within the outline of characters, symbols or figures Since the dot pattern data thus developed is repeatedly developed, it is possible to print characters, symbols or graphics that appear three-dimensionally.

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, there is provided the selection means for selecting whether to print the print data as it is or to print it via the contour calculation means, the basic pattern storage means and the pattern data generation means. By using the selection means, characters and graphics can be printed normally, and three-dimensional printing can be performed if necessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of claim 1;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the laser printer.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a print control routine.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a routine of stereoscopic print processing control.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating basic dot pattern data.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a start point and an end point of a contour of a drawing figure “rectangle”.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a start point and an end point of a contour of a character “A”;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing stereoscopic pattern data developed in an image data memory.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating basic dot pattern data having a predetermined length and width.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a principle of a three-dimensional appearance.

[Explanation of symbols]

 LP laser printer 10 control unit 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 15 interface 19 laser printing mechanism

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/485 B41J 5/30 G06F 3/12 G09G 5/24

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An interface for receiving print data of characters, symbols or figures, a font storage means for storing font data of characters or symbols, and print data from the interface with or without the font data. In a printing apparatus comprising: data processing means for developing dot pattern data; and printing means for printing the dot pattern data from the data processing means on a print medium, the outline of a character, symbol or figure designated by the print data is Contour calculating means for calculating; basic pattern storing means storing dot pattern data of an arbitrary basic pattern having a predetermined length in advance; contour data from the contour calculating means; and basic pattern data from the basic pattern storing means. The basic pattern is continuously repeated in the length direction based on It generates dot pattern data that is continuously repeated with or without alignment in the direction perpendicular to the length direction, and in which the basic pattern is partially changed inside the contour and output to the printing means. And a pattern data generating means. 2. The method of printing the print data as it is,
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects whether to perform printing via the contour calculation unit, the basic pattern storage unit, and the pattern data generation unit.