JP3051818B2 - Segment drawing method and output device using the method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a graphic processing method for drawing a line figure to be drawn in a predetermined area in units of segments, and a method for processing the figure.
The present invention relates to a graphic processing apparatus using the method .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printer, a line (line figure) to be drawn on one page is moved from the position having the largest Y coordinate (point A in FIG. 5) to the drawing direction of the line figure. 180 degrees from the direction of the portion A (−Y from the Y direction)
To a position (point B) that changes in the direction (or from the −Y direction to the Y direction) or a line to a position (point C) where a series of lines breaks (hereinafter referred to as a segment). A drawing method is adopted in which the segment is divided, the segment is converted into data in a format called run length, and drawing is performed based on the run length data.

The run length has an X coordinate of a drawing start point and an X coordinate of a drawing end point for each scan line as a pair of data. Therefore, if the height of the line graphic (the difference between the Y coordinate at the uppermost position and the Y coordinate at the lowermost position) is the same, the run-length object has data of the same size regardless of the shape of the graphic. become.

When such a conventional drawing method is employed to draw a line figure as shown in FIG. 5, for example, a series of lines from the start to the end of the drawing is firstly drawn, for example.
It is divided into segment 1 from point A to point B and segment 2 from point B to point C. Each segment is regarded as a closed area composed of polygons, and a line figure is drawn by filling the closed area. The filling of the closed area is performed based on the run length data. The drawing is performed in such a manner that the run-length data is created for each segment, a drawing process based on the run-length data for the segment is performed, and then the run-length data for the next segment is created.

[0005]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional drawing method, one drawing process is performed for each segment regardless of the length and shape of the segment. In the case of drawing, there is a problem that a very large number of drawing processes are required, and the processing speed is greatly reduced.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem. Even when a large number of lines having a simple shape are to be drawn, the drawing process can be efficiently performed with a smaller number of processing times than in the related art. Graphic processing method and method using the same
It is an object to provide a graphic processing device .

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a graphic processing method according to the present invention provides a graphic processing method based on a drawing command of a broken line.
In the figure processing method for creating length data,
The first and second segments of the line are the same scan
A determining step of determining whether or not the line overlaps;
If it is determined in the determination step that they do not overlap,
Run length data of the first segment and the second segment
Run length data and run length data
Created as run-length data of the project
If it is determined by the steps that they overlap, the first segment
Run-length data and the second segment
Run-length data in separate run-length objects
And creation steps to create as run length data
It is characterized by having .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a graphic processing apparatus comprising:
In the graphic processing apparatus for creating data,
The segment and the second segment are on the same scan line
Determining means for determining whether or not they overlap;
If it is determined that they do not overlap, the first segment
Run length data and run length of the second segment
Run data for one run-length object
Created as the original data and overlapped by the discriminating means.
, The run length of the first segment
Data and run length data of the second segment
Run-length data for separate run-length objects
And a creating means for creating as .

[0009]

According to the present invention, the first segment indicated by the broken line and the second segment
It is determined whether the segment overlaps the same scan line.
If it is determined that they do not overlap, the first segment
Run length data and the second segment
Length data is one run-length object
Created as run-length data and determined to overlap
The run length data of the first segment and
If the run length data of the second segment is a separate run
Created as run length data of length object
Is done .

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer system as a graphic processing apparatus capable of executing the graphic processing method according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, a printer system includes a host computer 1 for an operator to input a drawing command of a line figure and the like. The printer system has a memory for at least one page and analyzes and recognizes the line figure to which the drawing command has been given as data. The printer 2 includes a unit 2, a drawing unit 3 that actually performs a drawing process based on the recognized data, and an output unit 5 that prints out image data that has been subjected to the drawing process by the drawing unit 3. The analysis unit 2 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 2a for controlling the operation of the printer 4, analyzing a line figure, and the like.
And a memory 2 for temporarily storing commands and instructions such as drawing commands sent from the host computer 1.
b and a memory 2c for storing a program and the like for performing processes such as printer control and line figure analysis executed by the CPU 2a.

In the above configuration, the operator can specify the start point and end point of the desired line figure and the type of the line figure by the host computer 1.
Is input from the host computer 1 to the printer 4
The drawing command is sent to The drawing command is a command for designating a drawing start position, a drawing end position, a type of the line graphic, and the like of the line graphic. The analysis unit 2 of the printer 4 creates run-length data while sequentially analyzing the drawing command, and performs a drawing process in the order of the start line end shape, the contour line, and the end line end.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a line figure to be subjected to a drawing process in this embodiment. Hereinafter, the vertical direction of the drawing is defined as the Y direction, the horizontal direction is defined as the X direction, and the line width W and the patterns 1 to
A case where a broken line having n5 is drawn will be described.

In FIG. 1, a black pattern (stroke 1)
~ Stroke 3) is segment Sg1, segment S
g2 and a portion recognized as a segment Sg3. Also, the blank part (white pattern) between each segment
Are recognized as skip 1 and skip 2, respectively. The drawing start position SP1 of the broken line is the midpoint of the start line end of the segment Sg1, and corresponds to the start point of the line figure specified by the operator. Also, the drawing end position EP
Reference numeral 3 denotes a middle point of the end line end of the segment Sg3, which corresponds to the end point of the line figure specified by the operator.

When drawing such a line figure, the drawing command sent from the host computer to the printer 4 is:
In accordance with the order of the patterns shown in FIG. 2, “stroke 1 drawing command”, “skip 1 drawing command”, “stroke 2 drawing command”, “skip 2 drawing command”, and “stroke 3 drawing command” are transmitted in this order. The transmitted commands are temporarily stored in the memory 2b of the analysis unit 2, and are sequentially executed by the CPU 2a.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the procedure of line drawing segment drawing processing by the printer according to the present embodiment. Here, a case where the broken line shown in FIG. 2 is drawn will be described as an example. A program for executing this flowchart is stored in the memory 2c shown in FIG. 1, and is executed by the CPU 2c.

When the host computer 1 sends a command to draw a broken line to the printer 4, the CPU 2a creates run-length data for the segment Sg1 (step S1).

When the creation of the run length data up to the end line end of the segment Sg1 is completed, the end line end shape of the segment processed in step S1 is subjected to line end processing for designating the end line end to the specified shape. It is determined whether or not it is of the “no processing” type (step S2). If it is determined that it is not of the “no processing” type, it is necessary to render the segment as one object by a normal rendering method. The process proceeds to step S16. When it is determined that the end line end of the segment Sg1 is the “no processing” type formed in the shape shown in FIG.
1 is temporarily (temporarily) read from the memory 2b (step S3), and it is determined whether or not the instruction C1 is a skip instruction (step S4).

If it is determined that the instruction C1 is not a skip instruction, the process proceeds to step S15 described later. In step S15, the instruction C1 is returned to the memory 2b, and the run-length object created so far is drawn (step S16).

When it is determined that the instruction C1 is a skip instruction, the skip displacement (that is, the length of pattern2) included in the instruction C1 is stored in the memory 2c (step S5), and the next instruction is executed. C2 is provisionally read (step S6).

Next, it is determined whether or not the temporarily read instruction C2 designates the start line end shape of the next segment Sg2 as "no processing" (step S7).
If the type is not the “no processing” type, the process proceeds to step S14.
In step S14, the instruction C2 read in step S6 is returned to the memory 2b, and in step S15, the instruction C1 read in step S3 is returned to the memory 2b. When it is determined that the segment Sg1 is designated as “no processing”, the lowest position of the segment Sg1 is determined based on the end position EP1 which is the midpoint of the end line end of the segment Sg1 and the line width W. Bot1 (x1, y1) is calculated (step S8). Then, the length of pattern2 stored in step S5 and the start position S of segment Sg1
Segment Sg based on P1 and end position EP1
2 is calculated, and the start position SP2 is further calculated.
2 and the line width W, the top position Top2 of the segment Sg2
(X2, y2) is calculated (step S9).

When Bot1 and Top2 are calculated, it is determined whether or not the segments Sg1 and Sg2 overlap the same scan line by comparing the respective Y coordinates y1 and y2 (step S10). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the value of y2 is smaller than the value of y1, the segment Sg1 and the segment Sg1
Since g2 does not overlap the same scan line, it is possible to combine both segments into the same run-length data. Therefore, the number of scan lines dy between the two segments is calculated from the value of y1 and the value of y2 (step S1).
1) Create special run-length data of height dy between y1 and y2 (step S12). The run length data created here is (left run)> (right run). By creating such special run-length data, the pattern of the segment Sg1 and the pattern of the skip 1 are continuously run-lengthized.

When the creation of the run-length data of the skip 1 portion is completed, the above-described step S1 is performed to further convert the next segment Sg2 into run-length data.
Return to (Step S13).

After the run-length data of the segment Sg2 is created in step S1, the processing in steps S3 to S7 is performed, and in steps S8 and S9, the lowermost position Bot (x3, y3) of the segment Sg2.
And the top position Top (x4, y4) of the segment Sg3 are calculated. Then, in step S10, y3 and y
4 is compared. At this time, as is apparent from FIG. 2, since y3 <y4, it is determined that the segments Sg2 and Sg3 overlap the same scan line, and
Therefore, these two segments cannot be combined into one run-length object. Then, the instructions C1 and C2 read in steps S3 and S6 are returned to the memory 2b (steps S14 and S15), and the run-length object (stroke 1 + skip 1 + stroke 2) created so far is drawn (step S14). S16). At this time, the run length data corresponding to the stroke 1 and the stroke 2 is (left run) <
Since it is normal data (right run), it is actually drawn, but the part corresponding to skip 1 is (left run)>
(Right run), the drawing unit 3
In, this data is skipped, and is not actually drawn.

After the drawing is completed, it is determined whether or not the segment drawn in step S16 is the last segment (step S17). In this case, the segment Sg3
Are not finished, and the processing after step S1 is performed again. In step S1, the segment Sg2
After the completion of the data creation, the scan line moves the skip 2 portion by executing the normal processing operation, and then the run-length data of the segment Sg3 is created. Since the dashed line drawing command ends at segment Sg3,
The answer to step S4 is NO. Therefore, step S1
5 and the instruction C1 is returned to the memory 2b.
At 16, the segment Sg3 is drawn. Then, in step S17, it is determined that the current segment is the last segment, and the drawing processing ends.

The image data subjected to the drawing process is printed out by the output unit 5.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
By temporarily fetching the next instruction of the segment currently being processed, predicting the shape of the next segment from its contents, and judging whether or not it can be treated as the same run length, it is possible to combine a plurality of segments into one. Drawing processing can be performed collectively in run length. This allows
Conventionally, one segment had to be regarded as one run-length object and the drawing process had to be executed for each segment. However, since a plurality of segments can be drawn by one process, a broken line is used. For example, when a large number of segments having a simple shape such as are drawn, the drawing processing can be performed more quickly and efficiently.

In this embodiment, an example in which a printer is used as an output device has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a display device having a frame memory such as a CRT device.

[0029]

As described above, according to the graphic processing method of the first aspect, the first segment and the second segment indicated by broken lines are provided.
To determine if the line overlaps the same scan line
Determining step does not overlap with the determining step
, The run length of the first segment
Data and the run length data of the second segment
Run-length data for one run-length object
And determined as overlapping by the determination step.
The run length data of the first segment
And run length data of the second segment
Created as run-length data
Than having a generating step of forming, it will be able to draw a plurality of segments in a single process, when such a segment of simple shape dashed like are many drawn more quickly and efficiently The effect of being able to execute the drawing process is obtained.

According to the output device of the sixth aspect,
The dashed first segment and the second segment are the same scan.
Determining means for determining whether or not the line overlaps the
If it is determined by another means that they do not overlap, the first
Run length data of the segment and the second segment
Run-length data into one run-length object
Created as run-length data of the
If it is determined that they overlap, the first segment
Run length data and run length of the second segment
Run data for separate run-length objects
Since a generating means for generating a Gusudeta, it will be able to draw a plurality of segments in a single process, when such a segment of simple shape dashed like are many rendered faster The effect is obtained that the drawing processing can be executed efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer capable of realizing a graphic processing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a line graphic drawn in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a segment drawing procedure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a segment drawing procedure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a segment for recognizing a line figure to be drawn on one page.

[Explanation of symbols]

2a CPU ( determination means, creation means ) 3 drawing section (drawing means) 4 printer ( graphic processing device ) 5 output section (output means)

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-8-169157 (JP, A) JP-A-8-202882 (JP, A) JP-A-7-29021 (JP, A) JP-A-5-29021 224653 (JP, A) JP-A-5-2459 (JP, A) JP-A-59-101969 (JP, A) JP-A-8-39869 (JP, A) JP-A-3-29062 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06T 11/00-11/80 G06F 3/12

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A based on the dashed drawing command Ranrengusude
In the graphic processing method for creating data , the first segment and the second segment indicated by broken lines are the same scan.
A determining step of determining whether or not they overlap with each other ; and
The run length data of the first segment and the second
Run length data of a segment with one run length
Create as run-length data of the object,
If it is determined in the determining step that they overlap, the first
Segment run-length data and the second segment
Run-length data in separate run-length objects
Steps to create as run-length data
And a graphic processing method . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the creating step includes the determining step.
If it is determined that the
And down length data, run length data corresponding to skipped between the current segment and the next segment
If, graphic processing method according to claim 1, wherein the benzalkonium create <br/> the run-length data of the next segment. 3. The step of determining whether the current segment is the same as the next segment based on a difference between a Y coordinate of a lowermost position of the current segment and a Y coordinate of a lowermost position of the next segment. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not it is on a scan line.
Figure processing method. 4. The run created in the creating step.
Drawing that draws image data based on length data
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
The graphic processing method according to claim 1. 5. The drawing step according to claim 1 , wherein
Skip the corresponding run-length data without drawing
5. The graphic processing method according to claim 4, wherein: 6. A run-length data based on a drawing command of a broken line.
In the graphic processing apparatus for creating data, the first segment and the second segment indicated by broken lines are in the same scan.
Determining means for determining whether or not they overlap with each other ; and
Run length data of the first segment and the second segment
Run-length data of the
Created as run-length data of the project
If the first segment is determined to overlap by the means,
Run length data and run of the second segment
Length data in separate run-length object
Creation means for creating as length data.
And a graphic processing apparatus characterized by the following. 7. The creator according to claim 7, wherein the creator includes a creator.
The run length of the current segment
Data, the current segment and the next segment
Run length data corresponding to the skip between
Create run length data for the next segment
7. The graphic processing device according to claim 6, wherein: 8. The current segment according to claim 1 , wherein
Of the lowermost position of the next segment and the uppermost position of the next segment
The current segment and the next
Whether the same segment overlaps the same scan line
8. The graphic according to claim 6, wherein the figure is determined.
Processing equipment. 9. A run-lens produced by the producing means.
Rendering means for rendering image data based on guss data
Based on the image data drawn by the drawing means.
Output means for outputting an image based on the
9. The graphic processing device according to claim 6, wherein
Place. 10. The drawing means corresponds to the skip.
Run-length data to be skipped without drawing
10. The graphic processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The printer according to claim 11, wherein said output means includes a printer.
The graphic processing device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: