JP3069230B2 - Printer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to band processing while performing drawing object creation processing and processing for storing drawing objects obtained by processing image data relating to image data among various data received from a host. The present invention relates to a printer for printing data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer of this type, when a memory for storing drawing data overflows, or when it is expected that a process of rasterizing the drawing data takes a long time and a printing cannot be performed, a printing error occurs. Or controlling the resolution of the drawing data to reduce the data amount and print.

[0003]

However, in the conventional printer, even if there is a margin for rasterizing the drawing data, a printing error occurs if the memory for storing the drawing data is determined to overflow.
Since the resolution conversion is performed to reduce the data amount, when printing data having a large data amount, there is a problem that a printing error occurs immediately or resolution conversion occurs and the quality of data after printing is significantly deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and determines a drawing memory capacity for storing a drawing object which fluctuates in accordance with a rasterizing process and a rasterizing process state to determine whether the drawing object itself or a compression process is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer device which can minimize the occurrence of printing unnecessary and deterioration of print quality due to storage of drawn drawing objects and suppression of drawing memory capacity and extension of rasterization processing time.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printer apparatus for creating drawing object data by analyzing input image data, and compressing and compressing the drawing object data created by the creating means. Compression means for generating drawing object data; drawing storage means for storing drawing object data created by the creation means; decompression means for expanding compressed drawing object data stored in the drawing storage means; Raster processing means for performing rasterization processing in band units based on the stored drawing object data or decompressed object data decompressed by the decompression means based on the compressed drawing object data; free space of the drawing storage means and the band by the raster processing means Derivation to derive the unit rasterization processing time A determination step for determining the processing load of the drawing object from the free space and the rasterization processing time derived by the derivation means; and either the drawing object data or the compressed drawing object data based on the determination result of the determination means. And control means for storing the information in the drawing storage means.

There is provided setting means for setting a processing load of the storage processing or the rasterizing processing for the drawing object, and the control means stores data to be stored in the drawing storage means based on the processing load set by the setting means. It is configured to switch to data or image data.

[0007]

In the present invention, the deriving means derives the free space of the drawing storage means and the rasterizing processing time in band units by the raster processing means, and determines the drawing object based on the derived free space and the rasterizing processing time. The control means stores either the drawing object data or the compressed drawing object data in the drawing storage means based on the result of the determination, and the free space of the drawing storage means is reduced, or the rasterization processing is performed. It is intended to avoid occurrence of a situation that cannot be made in time.

The control means switches the data stored in the drawing storage means to drawing object data or image data based on the processing load set by the setting means, and performs data storage processing in the drawing storage means and rasterization processing means. The user can freely set the specific gravity of the rasterizing process.

[0009]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration of a printer apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to, for example, a case where a printer engine is a laser beam printer. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a host computer, and reference numeral 102 denotes a reception buffer in the laser beam printer, which temporarily stores reception data such as commands and data from the host computer 101.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a ROM, which stores programs, fonts, and the like for implementing a series of controls according to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 104, a command analysis unit stored on the ROM 103; 105, a drawing memory creation unit stored on the ROM 103, which creates a drawing object from the reception data temporarily stored in the reception buffer 102; Then, it is stored in the drawing data memory 114.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a rasterization processing unit stored on the ROM 103,
4 is rasterized and stored in a 600 dpi band raster memory 115 in band units.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a rasterization processing unit for resolution conversion (degradation) stored in the ROM 103. The rasterization processing unit 107 rasterizes the resolution-converted drawing object stored in the drawing data memory 114.
The data is stored in a band unit in the band raster memory 116 of dpi.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a resolution conversion unit which sets the resolution to 300 to 600 dpi when creating a drawing object.
Convert to dpi.

A CPU 109 and an engine transfer unit 110 output image data to a printer engine unit.

An image data compression unit 111 compresses image data and stores the image data in the drawing data memory 114. An image data expansion unit 112 compresses the image data stored in the drawing data memory 114 and expands the image data. Yes, 113 is RAM, 114 is RAM
The drawing data memory 113 stores the drawing object created by the drawing memory creation unit 105 and the image data compressed by the image data compression unit 111.

In this embodiment, the CPU 109 derives the free space of the drawing data memory 114, measures the one-band rasterization processing time by the rasterization processing unit 106, and determines the free space of the drawing data and the one-band rasterization. The processing time is derived, the derived free space is compared with the processing time, and the drawing data memory 114 is determined.
It is determined whether the load of the rasterization processing by the rasterization processing unit 106 is lighter. If it is determined that the load of the drawing data memory 114 is lighter when printing the image data, the image data is compressed and drawn. If the load of the rasterization processing by the rasterization processing unit 106 is lighter, the image data is directly stored in the drawing data memory 11.
4 is stored.

The band raster memory 115 of 600 dpi and the band raster memory 116 of 300 dpi
Are secured on the RAM 113.

Next, the operation of the printer having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 2 shows a first example of the printer device of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a rasterization processing procedure. (1) to (8) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), data is received from the host computer 101, and the received data is stored in the reception buffer 102.
From 02, data for one unit code is read.

In step (2), the received data is interpreted as a command, and the command is determined.

If it is determined in step (2) that the command is an image data drawing command, it is checked in step (3) whether the drawing data memory 114 has sufficient free space. If it is determined in step (3) that there is sufficient free space, in step (4) the drawing object created by the drawing memory creation unit 105 is stored in the drawing data memory 114 as it is.
To be stored.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that there is not enough free space, it is checked in step (5) whether there is room in the rasterizing process.

If it is determined in step (5) that there is room for the rasterizing process, the drawing object is compressed by the image data compression unit 111 and stored in the drawing data memory 114 in step (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that there is no room for the rasterizing process, in step (7), the resolution conversion unit 108 converts the resolution of the drawing object, and returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the command is a drawing command for data other than image data, the drawing object is stored in the drawing data memory 114 as it is in step (8), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the command is a discharge command, a discharge command process shown in FIG. 3 to be described later is executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 109 derives the free space of the drawing data memory 114 and the rasterizing processing time of the band unit by the raster processing unit 106, and calculates the drawing object of the drawing object from the derived free space and the rasterizing processing time. The processing load is determined, and either the drawing object data or the compressed drawing object data is stored in the drawing data memory 114 based on the determination result. This is to prevent a situation where the rasterizing process cannot be performed in time.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a paper ejection command processing procedure in the printer according to the present invention.
In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), it is checked whether or not there is compressed data in the drawing data memory 114. If it is determined that there is no compressed data, the process proceeds to step (3) and the subsequent steps. The rasterizing process is performed, and if it is determined that there is compressed data, the compressed data is decompressed by the image data decompression unit 112 in step (2).

In step (3), a rasterizing process is performed at 600 dpi. In step (4), it is checked whether or not there is data for which the resolution conversion is performed. When the processing is completed and it is determined that there is data for which the resolution conversion has been performed, a 300 dpi rasterization processing is performed in step (5). [Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration of a printer apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to, for example, a case where a printer engine is a laser beam printer. In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes a host computer, and 402 denotes a reception buffer in the laser beam printer, and temporarily stores reception data such as commands and data from the host computer 401.

Reference numeral 403 denotes a ROM, which stores programs, fonts, and the like for implementing a series of controls according to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 described below.

Reference numeral 404 denotes a command analysis unit stored in the ROM 403, and reference numeral 405 denotes a drawing memory creation unit stored in the ROM 403, and a drawing object based on the reception data temporarily stored in the reception buffer 402. Is created and stored in the drawing data memory 414.

Reference numeral 406 denotes a rasterization processing unit stored in the ROM 403, which rasterizes a drawing object stored in the drawing data memory 414, and
The data is stored in the 00 dpi band raster memory 415 in band units.

Reference numeral 407 denotes a rasterization processing unit at the time of resolution conversion (degradation) stored in the ROM 403. The rasterization processing unit 407 rasterizes the resolution-converted drawing object stored in the drawing data memory 414, and 300 dp.
The data is stored in the i-band raster memory 416 in band units.

Reference numeral 408 denotes a resolution conversion unit which sets the resolution to 600 to 300 dpi when creating a drawing object.
Convert to dpi.

A CPU 409 and an engine transfer unit 410 output image data to the printer engine unit.

An image data compression unit 411 compresses the image data and stores the image data in the drawing data memory 414. An image data expansion unit 412 compresses the image data stored in the drawing data memory 414. 413 is a RAM, and 414 is a RAM 41
3 is a drawing data memory, and a drawing memory creation unit 40
5 and the image data compressed by the image data compression unit 411 are stored.

415 is 600 dp on the RAM 113
416 is an i-band raster memory;
6 is a 300 dpi band raster memory.

Reference numeral 417 denotes a panel display analysis unit stored in the ROM 403, which analyzes which of the memory load set by the user and the rasterization processing load is more important.

A panel display unit 418 is used by a user to make settings and to display user settings.

In the printer configured as described above, the panel display analyzing unit 417 is operated by the user.
The CPU 409 switches the data stored in the drawing data memory 414 to drawing object data or image data based on the analysis result, and stores the data in the drawing data memory 414 and rasterizes the data. The user can freely set the specific gravity of the rasterizing process by the means. In this embodiment, the image data is one of data received from the host, and the drawing object is created from all data (including the above image data) received from the host. Hereinafter, the present embodiment describes in detail a drawing object creation method and a drawing object storage method obtained by processing image data related to image data among various data received from the host.

Next, the operation of the printer having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the printer according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a rasterization processing procedure. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

In step (1), the user operates the panel display unit 4
18 is used to set which of the memory load and the rasterize load is to be emphasized.

In step (2), the host computer 40
1, the received data is stored in the reception buffer 402, and data for one unit code is read from the stored reception buffer 402.

In step (3), the received data is interpreted as a command, and the command is determined.

If it is determined in step (3) that the received data is an image data drawing command, it is determined in step (4) whether the user places more importance on the memory load or the rasterizing process. If emphasis is placed, it is checked in step (5) whether there is sufficient free space in the drawing data memory 414. If it is determined that there is sufficient free space, the drawing memory creation unit 405 creates in step (6) The rendered drawing object is stored in the rendering data memory 414 as it is, and the process returns to step (2). If it is determined in step (5) that the free space is not sufficient, the rasterizing process is performed in step (7). It is checked whether there is room, and if it is determined that there is room in the rasterizing process, the drawing object is converted into image data pressure in step (8). Are compressed on a part 411 stores the drawing data memory 414.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (7) that there is no room for the rasterizing process, in step (9), the resolution conversion unit 417 performs resolution conversion of the drawing object, and returns to step (2).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the command is a drawing command for data other than image data, the process proceeds to step (1).
0), the drawing object is directly stored in the drawing data memory 4
14 and return to step (2).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the user attaches importance to rasterization, a rasterization process shown in FIG. 6 described later is started.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the printer of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a rasterization processing procedure. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), the user sets, using the panel display unit 418, which of the memory load and the rasterization load is more important.

In step (2), the host computer 40
1, the received data is stored in the reception buffer 402, and data for one unit code is read from the stored reception buffer 402.

In step (3), the received data is interpreted as a command, and the command is determined. At step (4), it is checked whether the user places more importance on the memory load or the rasterizing process. If the user puts more importance on the rasterizing process, at step (5), it is determined whether there is room for the rasterizing process. If it is determined that there is enough time for the rasterizing process, the image data is compressed by the image data compression unit 411 in step (6).
And store it in the drawing data memory 414, and return to step (2).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the emphasis is placed on memory, or if it is determined in step (5) that there is no room for the rasterizing process, it is determined in step (7) whether there is free space in the drawing data memory 414. When it is determined that there is free space in the drawing data memory 414, the image data is stored in the drawing data memory 414 as it is in step (8), and the process returns to step (2).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (7) that there is no free space in the drawing data memory 414, in step (9), the resolution converter 408 performs resolution conversion of the image data, and returns to step (2).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a resolution conversion processing procedure in the printer device according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

When it is determined in step (3) of FIGS. 5 and 6 that the command is a discharge command, whether or not compressed data exists in the drawing data memory 114 in accordance with the discharge command process shown in FIG. (1), if it is determined that there is compressed data, the compressed data is decompressed by the image data decompression unit 412 (2) and rasterized at 600 dpi (3). It is checked whether there is any data (4), and if it is determined that there is data whose resolution is being converted, a 300 dpi rasterization process is performed (5).

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no compressed data, a rasterizing process is performed at 600 dpi.

In the above embodiment, the case where the printer engine of the printer device is a laser beam printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but may be an ink jet printer, a dot matrix printer, a thermal transfer printer (including a sublimation type), The present invention can be applied to an LDE printer, a liquid crystal shutter printer, and the like.

In the above embodiment, the resolution conversion unit is performed by hardware, but may be performed by software.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image data compression section and the image data decompression section are performed by hardware, but may be performed by software.

In the above embodiment, the drawing data memory,
Although the 600 dpi band memory and the 300 dpi band memory are stored in the RAM, they may be stored in the hard disk.

Further, in the above embodiment, when there is no free space in the drawing data memory and there is no room for the rasterizing process, the resolution conversion is performed, but a printing error may be caused.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Deriving means derives the free space of the drawing storage means and the rasterizing processing time in band units by the raster processing means,
The determination means determines the processing load of the drawing object from the derived free space and the rasterization processing time, and based on the determination result, the control means stores either the drawing object data or the compressed drawing object data in the drawing storage means. Therefore, it is possible to avoid occurrence of a situation in which the free space of the drawing storage unit is squeezed or that the rasterizing process cannot be performed in time.

Further, the control means switches the data stored in the drawing storage means to drawing object data or image data based on the processing load set by the setting means, so that the data storage processing in the drawing storage means and the rasterization processing means The user can freely set the specific gravity of the rasterizing process.

Therefore, even when printing a large amount of data, it is possible to prevent printing errors and resolution conversion from occurring, and to prevent deterioration of print data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first rasterization processing procedure in the printer device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a paper ejection command processing procedure in the printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second rasterization processing procedure in the printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third rasterization processing procedure in the printer device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a resolution conversion processing procedure in the printer device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 host computer 102 reception buffer 103 ROM 104 command analysis unit 105 drawing memory creation unit 106 rasterization processing unit 107 degrade rasterization processing unit 108 resolution conversion unit 109 CPU 110 engine transfer unit 111 image data compression unit 112 image data decompression unit 113 RAM 114 drawing Data memory 115 Band raster memory 116 Band raster memory

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-195759 (JP, A) JP-A-7-137355 (JP, A) JP-A-7-32666 (JP, A) 171160 (JP, A) JP-A-4-323061 (JP, A) JP-A-2-209272 (JP, A) JP-A-2-92652 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 5/30 G06F 3/12

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A generating means for analyzing input image data to generate drawing object data; a compression means for compressing the drawing object data generated by the generating means to generate compressed drawing object data; A drawing storage unit that stores the drawing object data created by the unit; a decompression unit that decompresses the compressed drawing object data stored in the drawing storage unit; and the drawing object data or the decompression unit that is stored in the drawing storage unit. Raster processing means for performing rasterization processing in band units based on decompressed object data expanded based on compressed drawing object data, and derivation for deriving free space in the drawing storage means and rasterization processing time in band units by the raster processing means Means and the derivation means Determining means for determining the processing load of the drawing object from the obtained free space and the rasterization processing time; and storing either the drawing object data or the compressed drawing object data in the drawing storage means based on the determination result of the determination means. A printer device, comprising: a control unit for storing data. And a setting unit for setting a processing load of a storage process or a rasterizing process on the drawing object, wherein the control unit stores data stored in the drawing storage unit based on the processing load set by the setting unit. 2. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the data is switched to data or image data.