JP2989613B2 - Character processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character processing apparatus and method including a storage unit such as a cache memory for storing character font patterns.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in accordance with a character pattern output command received from a host system or the like, a bit map format character pattern is newly created in an output device based on design information of a corresponding character pattern and output. Output devices are known. The method of creating a new bitmap character pattern from this design information (for example, outline font) involves changing the size by setting the scale, because the design information itself is formed in the form of relative position information. And deformation of the pattern due to the setting of the coordinate system,
It has an advantage that it can be easily performed from one piece of pattern information, and the data of the prepared pattern itself is smaller than a method of preparing a character pattern in the form of a bitmap from the beginning. For convenience, this method is referred to as a first conventional method.

However, in the first conventional method, a new bitmap character pattern is created one by one at the time of output, and the processing of the expansion is inevitably complicated, which requires a considerable amount of time to develop the character pattern and lowers the efficiency. When you invite, you have the disadvantages at the same time.

In order to solve this, recently, a character map in the bitmap format once created by this method is stored in a storage area constituted by RAM or the like, and when the same character pattern is output again, the same Instead of creating a character pattern, a method of outputting using the stored character pattern has been put to practical use. In the method of storing and reusing the bitmap character pattern in the RAM or the like, the character pattern is output simply by transferring the already completed bitmap character pattern to the output area. With faster processing speed,
It complements the character pattern creation process that is problematic in terms of speed. For convenience, this method is referred to as a second conventional method.

FIG. 7 illustrates the flow of data processing according to these methods. In FIG.
This is a first conventional method in which a character pattern is always created every time. Reference numeral 142 denotes an example of a second conventional method in which a once created character pattern is stored and reused. In the figure, a portion 143 represents the first output process, and a character pattern is created and stored for each character. However,
As shown in FIG. 144, in the second and subsequent output processes of the same character pattern, the character pattern stored previously can be reused in the second conventional method.
This makes it possible to omit the creation process of “B” and “C”, and thus to improve the efficiency of the process.

However, when character patterns created one after another are stored in the storage memory according to the second conventional method,
The size of unused memory is reduced by the amount stored. If the unused memory is insufficient, not only the created character pattern cannot be stored, but also the character pattern creation process itself and all other processes may fail, and the output operation may become impossible.

Therefore, it has been considered that the stored character patterns are deleted according to the use status of the storage memory, and the memory required for each control is secured. In other words, when the unused memory is insufficient or one output is completed, all the character patterns stored at that time are deleted, and in the subsequent character pattern output, a new corresponding character pattern is created again. And then store it again in memory.

In this way, even small- and medium-sized output devices with a small total storage memory capacity can create character patterns, store them in memory, and use them again for efficient character pattern creation and generation. Have been.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, these conventional methods still have insufficient points. In other words, in the method of deleting unused patterns according to the usage status, generally, character patterns that are used less frequently are deleted in accordance with the frequency of use, but the importance of the font pattern is not necessarily the frequency of use. It's not as simple as it depends, and it often happens that what you really need is deleted from storage when it's needed for output. This problem will be described more specifically in the case of a character symbol with a so-called “call mark” and the case of a “page overlay”.

The "call mark" is as follows. In outputting a character pattern, a set of character patterns of various designs having different sizes and shapes is selected and used properly, and a character pattern of a design desired by the user is output. However, in order to select this character pattern group, it is necessary to specify each design feature, such as "12 point size" or "bold character", and use The user needs to send to the output device a command for specifying the complex attribute of the character pattern group to be selected, as many as the number of attributes.
It takes considerable effort. To solve this, for example, a character pattern group that is frequently used, for example,
A method of selecting by adding a “call mark” such as “third character pattern group” is often used.

When selecting a character pattern group in which the “call mark” is set, selection by complicated attributes is not necessary, and the character pattern group can be easily selected by designating only the “call mark”. As a result, selection can be made more efficiently with a simpler instruction than in the case where an attribute is specified.

By the way, when considered in reverse, the character pattern with the “call mark” can be considered to be a frequently used character pattern. By the way, in such a conventional output device, when deleting a bitmap character pattern stored in the storage memory, the frequently used character pattern is also deleted. The deleted character pattern has to be recreated, and the processing takes more time. FIG. 8 illustrates this inconvenience. In the figure, 151 indicates the case where the created character pattern is not stored (the above-described first conventional method), and 152 indicates the case where the stored character pattern is stored (the above-described second conventional method). Among them, the character pattern group X is frequently used, so it is assumed that a “call mark” is set. In the second and subsequent output processes, the character pattern stored as described above may be used, and the process is simplified (see the portion 154 in the figure).

However, in the part 153, the stored character pattern is deleted due to lack of memory or completion of one of the outputs. For this reason, all the stored character patterns are deleted, and as shown in 155, the character pattern creation / storage process must be performed again. Although this deletion itself is generally a necessary process, it does not matter if the character pattern group X that is frequently used is not deleted. However, in this conventional method, the character pattern group X
Re-creation is performed until the pattern is re-created, resulting in inefficiency. This is the so-called “call mark”
This is a specific inconvenience when deleting a character / symbol pattern marked with.

Next, a specific problem when performing “page overlay” will be described below.

In many cases, a huge amount of data is used to perform one output process, and the same type of output is often used many times. For example, there is a case where the layout of the output is determined according to a certain format, such as a tabulation sheet, and in each output, only a part of the output is slightly different. For the part that performs the same output every time, such as ruled lines and fixed characters on the tabulation paper, it is not necessary to send the output data every time it is output. Instead, it is sent only once at first, and it is stored. It is possible to combine and output the standard output unit and the irregular output unit that changes each time. This is commonly referred to as "page overlay" processing. Also, there is a case where the output contents are simply stored for reuse without performing the page overlay processing.

The storage processing of these output contents is an effective means for reducing output data, improving the processing speed, and realizing efficient output.

By the way, the character patterns used in these stored outputs can be considered to be frequently used character patterns. However, in the above-described conventional output device, when the bitmap character pattern stored in the memory is deleted, the character pattern which is considered to be frequently used is also deleted. The deleted character pattern has to be recreated, and the processing takes more time.

FIG. 9 illustrates this inconvenience. In the figure, 251
Indicates the case where the created character pattern is not stored (the first conventional method), and 252 indicates the case where the stored character pattern is performed (the second conventional method). It is assumed that a “typical processing declaration” has been set and output data has been stored. In the example of FIG. 9, the characters “A” and “B” are characters related to the routine processing.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the second output processing, the stored character pattern may be used, and the processing is simplified (portion 254 in the figure).

However, in the part 253, the stored character pattern is deleted due to lack of memory or completion of one of the outputs. For this reason, all the character patterns held are deleted, and as a result, the patterns of the characters “A” and “B” necessary for the routine processing are also deleted.
Therefore, as shown at 255, the character patterns “A” and “B” must be created and stored again. Although the deletion itself is a necessary process, it does not matter even if the frequently used character patterns used in the data of the output data storage are not deleted. However, the character patterns used in the output data storage are re-created, which is inefficient. This is,
This is a specific inconvenience relating to “page overlay”.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the inconvenience that font data of characters included in a form overlay is simply deleted based on a predetermined use frequency for each character.

[Means and Actions for Achieving the Object] The configuration of the character processing device of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, that is, the inconvenience that occurs when deleting the font pattern of the character included in the form overlay, is as follows. Generating means for generating dot format font data from dot format font data; storing means for storing the dot format font data generated by the generating means; and dot format font data corresponding to a character to be output. When stored in the storage unit, the stored dot format font data is expanded in the output memory, and when the dot format font data corresponding to the character to be output is not stored in the storage unit, A dot font corresponding to a character to be output from the non-dot font data by the generating means Developing means for generating data and developing the generated dot format font data in the output memory; and a dot format font data of characters included in the form overlay and a dot format of characters not included in the form overlay. Means for storing font data in the storage means so as to be identifiable; and when deleting the dot format font data stored in the storage means, deleting the dot format font data of the characters included in the form overlay. Without
Control means for controlling so as to delete dot font data of characters not included in the form overlay.

The character processing method of the present invention for achieving the same object is also characterized in that the character processing method of the present invention relating to font overlay includes generating means for generating dot-format font data from non-dot-format font data. A storage unit that stores the dot-format font data generated by the generation unit; and, if the dot-format font data corresponding to the character to be output is stored in the storage unit, the stored dot-format font data. When the font data is expanded in the output memory and the dot format font data corresponding to the character to be output is not stored in the storage unit, the generation unit corresponds to the character to be output from the non-dot format font data. For generating dot format font data and outputting the generated dot format font data In a character processing method using expansion means for developing in memory, the storage means can identify dot-format font data of characters included in the form overlay and dot-format font data of characters not included in the form overlay. When deleting the dot format font data stored in the storage means, without deleting the dot format font data of the characters included in the form overlay,
It is characterized in that control is performed such that dot-format font data of characters not included in the form overlay is deleted.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, two embodiments (a first embodiment and a second embodiment) to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, in the first embodiment, when the character pattern is falsely determined to be frequently used based on the “call mark” and the character pattern stored in the memory is deleted, the character pattern with the “call mark” is added. By removing the character pattern from the objects to be deleted, efficient and effective character pattern output is realized. Further, in the second embodiment, when the storage pattern of the output content (page overlay) is used to falsely judge that the use frequency of the character pattern is high and delete the character pattern stored in the memory, By removing the character pattern with the storage processing declaration mark of the output content from the object of deletion, an efficient and effective character pattern output is realized.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a page printer according to the first embodiment.

Here, reference numeral 1 denotes a host computer which generates data such as characters, numbers, and symbols (hereinafter simply referred to as character data), various control commands, and a "call mark" for improving the efficiency of selecting a character pattern group. Is generated and input to the character generation control unit 2 which is a main part of the output device. Reference numeral 10 denotes a recording unit such as a laser beam printer.

In the character generation control unit 2, reference numeral 3 denotes an input buffer, which is character data input from the host computer 1,
Various control data, a setting instruction of a “call mark”, and the like are temporarily stored. Reference numeral 4 denotes a CPU constituted by, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor. The CPU 4 analyzes the input data stored in the input buffer 3 according to a program or the like stored in the ROM 4-1 and corresponding to a processing procedure (FIG. 3) described later, and performs a corresponding process. When the input data is character data, the CPU 4 generates a character code 4a. On the other hand, if the “call mark” setting command is input, a “call mark” setting instruction 4b is generated. Further, for example, at the time when one output is divided or when the memory becomes insufficient, the storage bit map character pattern deletion command 4c is issued.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a character pattern generator which generates a corresponding character pattern 5c according to the character code 4a received from the CPU 4. The processing for generating the character pattern 5c is executed as follows according to the storage state of the character pattern at that time.

First, the character pattern generator 5 sends a character pattern search command 5a to the bit map character pattern storage 6 so as to search whether the character pattern corresponding to the character code 4a is already stored in the bit map format. Upon receiving this, the bitmap character pattern storage 6 stores the RAM
A search is made to see if the corresponding character pattern is stored in the form of a bitmap in the storage area constituted by the above.

If the corresponding character pattern cannot be found in the character pattern storage 6, a character pattern creation instruction command 6a is issued to the character pattern generator 7 to create the corresponding character pattern. The character pattern generator 7 creates a corresponding character pattern based on the character pattern design information 7-1 according to this command. The created character pattern 7c is sent back to the character pattern generator 5 as a bitmap character pattern 7b.

Further, the created character pattern is also sent to the bitmap character pattern storage 6 as a bitmap character pattern 7d, and when an output request of the same character pattern is made again, the character pattern creation processing is not performed. It is stored in the storage area so that it can be reused with the stored character pattern.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an output page buffer for temporarily storing the character pattern 5c received from the character pattern generator 5. Then, the stored dot image 8a is
It is sent to the printer interface 9.

The printer interface unit 9 outputs a video signal corresponding to the dot image stored in the output page buffer 8.
9a is sent to the recording unit 10 composed of, for example, a laser beam printer.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a “call mark” setting device according to this example,
In accordance with the "call mark" setting command 4b received from U4, a "call mark" setting command 11a is issued to a character pattern storage or the like in order to add a "call mark" to the commanded character pattern group. This "call mark"
The character pattern group to which the “call mark” has been once added by the setting command 11a can be easily selected later by the “call mark” when performing the character pattern group selection processing.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a bit map character pattern delete unit according to the present embodiment, which stores a bit map character pattern delete unit 4c according to the stored bit map character pattern delete command 4c received from the CPU 4, for example, at the time of delimitation of one output or at the time of insufficient memory. 6-bit map character pattern deletion command 12
Issue a. However, at this time, it is checked whether or not the “call mark” is set for the character pattern to be deleted, and if it is set, the character pattern is removed from the deletion target. As a result, the character patterns that are considered to be frequently used with the “call mark” set are retained in the character pattern deletion process, and are created one by one by the character pattern creation process when they are used next time. A character pattern can be output efficiently without being corrected.

FIG. 2 shows one mode of the character pattern generation processing according to this example. In the figure, reference numeral 22 denotes an example of the output processing portion of the second shift. Of these, the characters “A” and “B” belonging to the character pattern group X are frequently used, and thus it is assumed that “call marks” are set. In the second and subsequent output processes, the character patterns stored as described above may be used, and the process is simplified. Note that the portion 21 indicates the processing mode of the conventional method of creating and storing a character pattern one time at a time, and is shown for comparison with 22.

However, in the portion 23 in the figure, the stored character pattern is deleted due to lack of memory or completion of one of the outputs. Therefore, all the character patterns held are deleted. However, since the character pattern group X is set with the “call mark” and is considered to be frequently used, it is excluded from the deletion target. As a result, as shown by 24, the character pattern can be output without creating and storing the character pattern again after deleting the stored character pattern.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 25, the character pattern group Y in which the “call mark” is not set is interpreted as having a low use frequency, and is correctly deleted, thereby avoiding a failure that occurs due to a memory shortage or the like. .

FIG. 3 shows an example of the procedure of the character pattern creation processing according to the above embodiment.

When printing is started, it is first determined whether the currently stored character pattern needs to be deleted (S1).
This determination may be made in various cases, for example, when the memory is insufficient or the output is completed.

If it is not necessary, the data code is transmitted to the host computer by 1 and the input data is
Read in units (S2). Then, it is determined whether the input data is character data (S3). In the case of character data, it is determined whether the designated character pattern is stored in the bitmap character pattern storage 6 (S4).

If the corresponding bitmap character pattern is stored, the stored bitmap character pattern is selected (S5) and output (S7).

If the corresponding bitmap character pattern is not stored, a new bitmap character pattern is created based on the design information of the corresponding bitmap (S
6). Then, the character pattern is printed (S7).

If the input data is not character data, it is determined whether or not the data is a command for designating “call mark” setting (S8). If not, other printing / control processing is performed (S9). "Call mark"
If the instruction is a setting instruction, the "calling mark" setting device 11 according to the present example sets the "calling mark" in a character pattern group targeted by the "calling mark" setting instruction (S10). . The set “call mark” is used at the time of efficient selection of the character pattern group described above.

If the output process proceeds and a large amount of memory is used, it is determined in step S1 that the stored character pattern must be deleted. If deletion is instructed, the bitmap character pattern deleter 12 according to this example
However, the deletion processing is executed only for the character pattern group for which the “call mark” is not set.

As a result, the frequently used character pattern with the “call mark” set remains in the character pattern deletion process, and is not recreated by the character pattern creation process one by one when used next time. Character patterns can be output efficiently.

According to the above processing, when performing the operation of generating and outputting a character pattern, the operator takes into consideration the frequency of use of the character pattern used in the output and considers the best memory used in the character pattern output. Since the management can be performed, the optimal character pattern creation that could not be realized if memory management was not taken into account was realized, and the efficient character pattern output desired by the user was realized. Can be achieved.

In the first embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a page printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of printers or output devices such as CRTs are used. It goes without saying that the above can be easily applied.

<Second embodiment> Fig. 4 shows the configuration of the second embodiment, and reference numerals in the drawing indicate that the same components as those in Fig. 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment. .

The second embodiment is for improving the efficiency of routine processing output such as page overlay. Specifically, the page overlay is, for example, a "letter head". Since such an overlay is frequently used, the entire overlay is stored and processed as a fixed output. In the second embodiment, the characters included in this overlay are the characters to be deleted. This is because even if such a character is deleted, the use of the overlay itself cannot be used without recreating the deleted character.

For this purpose, in FIG.
Generates an instruction to declare a storage process of the output contents, and the input buffer 3 receives this instruction together with other character data, various control data, and the like. 104b is a storage processing designation instruction issued by the CPU 4 to the output data storage 101.

The storage of the character pattern in the bitmap character pattern storage 6, the search of the storage 6, and the character pattern creation / storage processing when the target pattern cannot be found by the search are the same as those in the first embodiment. .

Reference numeral 101 denotes an output data storage, which has two functions.
One is to store the transmitted data for reuse in accordance with the storage processing setting instruction 104b. Second, a storage process declaration mark setting command 101a is issued to the character pattern storage 6 in order to attach a storage process declaration mark of the output content to a character pattern used in the stored output data.

102 is a bitmap character pattern eliminator.
As in the embodiment, an unnecessary character pattern is to be deleted from the storage device 6 according to an instruction from the host computer 1. At the time of this deletion, if a storage processing declaration mark of the output content is set in this character pattern, it is excluded from the deletion target.

FIG. 5 has the same purpose as that of FIG. 2, and the portion 122 indicates the mode of processing according to the second embodiment. 121
In comparison with the characters 122, the characters "A" and "B" included in the fixed-form overlay are excluded from the character pattern deletion target at the time 123, so that the characters 124 It is free from hassle.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure according to the second embodiment, and includes steps S101, S108, and S1.
Except for 10, it is the same as the flow chart of the first embodiment (FIG. 3). That is, in steps S108 to S110,
If the command from the host computer 1 is a storage processing setting command for output contents, this is a procedure for setting a storage processing declaration mark in a character pattern used as a storage target of the output data. The character pattern set with this mark is not deleted in step S111.

In this manner, the character pattern that is considered to be frequently used and set with the storage processing declaration mark of the output content is:
This overlay is output at high speed when it is removed from the deletion target and the next time the same overlay is used.

The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a page printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of printers, CRTs, etc. It goes without saying that the above-mentioned output device can be easily applied.

In the above embodiment, the storage memory is a semiconductor storage device such as a RAM.
For example, a bubble memory or a hard disk may be used.

The setting of the “call mark” and the process of storing the fixed form are performed by the host computer, but may be performed by the operator.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the character processing apparatus and method of the present invention, the font data of the characters included in the form overlay is also stored so as to be distinguishable from the font data of the characters not included in the form overlay. In the same manner, the former font data is not deleted even if the frequency of use is low.

Since the form overlay and the like are originally set and used by the user, according to the present invention, font data truly necessary for such a user is not deleted from the storage means. Therefore, it is possible to always respond to the user's font data use request. As a result, the font data can be called at high speed in the conventional use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a page printer as a first embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a character pattern generation process improved by the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer of the example, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a page printer as a second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a character pattern generation process improved by the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer of the embodiment, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams for explaining the prior art. In the drawing, 1 ... host computer, 2 ... character generation control unit, 3 ... input buffer, 4 ... CPU, 5 ... character pattern generator, 6 ... bit map character pattern storage,
7 ... Character pattern creator, 8 ... Page buffer for output, 9 ... Printer interface unit, 10 ... Recording unit
11, a "call mark" setting device, 12, 102, a bitmap character pattern deleting device, 101, an output data storage device.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A generating means for generating dot-format font data from non-dot-format font data; a storage means for storing dot-format font data generated by the generating means; When dot-format font data is stored in the storage unit, the stored dot-format font data is expanded in an output memory,
When the dot format font data corresponding to the character to be output is not stored in the storage unit, the generation unit generates dot format font data corresponding to the character to be output from the non-dot format font data, Expanding means for expanding the generated dot-format font data in the output memory; and converting the dot-format font data of the characters included in the form overlay and the dot-format font data of the characters not included in the form overlay into the output memory. Means for storing in the storage means so as to be identifiable; and when deleting the dot format font data stored in the storage means, the form overlay is not deleted without deleting the dot format font data of the characters included in the form overlay. Dot fonts for characters not included in the overlay Character processing apparatus characterized by a control means for controlling to delete data. 2. A character processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising printing means for performing printing based on dot-format font data expanded in said output memory by said expansion means. 3. A generating means for generating dot-format font data from non-dot-format font data, a storage means for storing the dot-format font data generated by the generating means, and corresponding to a character to be output. When dot-format font data is stored in the storage unit, the stored dot-format font data is expanded in an output memory, and dot-format font data corresponding to a character to be output is stored in the storage unit. If it is not stored, the generating means generates dot format font data corresponding to the character to be output from the non-dot format font data, and expands the generated dot format font data to an output memory. And the character processing method using When the font data and the dot-format font data of the characters not included in the form overlay are stored in the storage means so as to be identifiable, and when deleting the dot-format font data stored in the storage means, the form A character processing method characterized by controlling not to delete dot-format font data of characters included in an overlay but to delete dot-format font data of characters not included in the form overlay. 4. The character processing method according to claim 3, wherein printing is performed based on dot-format font data expanded in the output memory by the expansion unit.