JP3231863B2 - Character processing method and 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 character processing method and apparatus having a font cache for registering a generated character pattern.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many devices using an outline font have been proposed in laser beam printers and the like.

The outline font has a feature that it is easy to process a desired character, but the time required to generate a character dot pattern increases. Therefore, it is registered in the font cache memory together with information on the character set identification, the character code, and the size, and when the same character code is input again, the character pattern is read from the font cache area. A character dot pattern is formed. As a result, the same character dot pattern may be generated only once, thereby shortening the pattern generation processing time of the apparatus in some cases.

[0004] Since the conventional recording apparatus is configured as described above, the outline font is usually composed of a series of contour coordinates representing the shape of a character, but there are various methods for forming the outline font. ing. Therefore, the apparatus is provided with a dedicated generation unit (font scaler or rasterizer) for generating a character dot pattern based on the outline font configuration method. Therefore, in an environment using a multi-outline font configured by a plurality of different configuration methods, it is necessary to provide a font scaler corresponding to each configuration method.

Further, even if the character dot patterns generated by each font scaler have the same typeface, size, and character code, differences in font construction methods and character shape designs, and processing of the font scaler. Differences may be different. For this reason, a character dot pattern that has been used at least once in the past is registered in the font cache memory together with font scalar information, character set identification, character code, and size information, and the same character code is registered again. When input, the character pattern is read from the font cache area to form a character dot pattern. As a result, for the same character dot pattern, each font scaler may complete the pattern generation processing in one generation, thereby shortening the pattern generation processing time of the apparatus.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional recording apparatus, when a plurality of font scalers are provided, only the character set identification, character code, and size information are registered in the font cache memory. There have been problems such as the inability to identify the character dot pattern created by the font scaler.

[0007] Further, since the character pattern is generated at the time when the character code is input, when the recording apparatus is used in such a manner that the content of the output character information is frequently changed, the input is not performed for the first time. There is also a problem that a font cache effect cannot be expected for a character code, and it takes a considerable time to obtain a printing process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has a designated font scaler, typeface,
Determine whether a character pattern corresponding to a character code and a character size is stored, and, according to the determination result, a character pattern corresponding to a specified font scaler, typeface, character code, and character size already stored. Alternatively, by writing each character pattern generated based on the respective font data by any of the specified font scalers to the storage device, even if a character code using a different scaler is specified, the character code already used by the compatible scaler is already specified. Characters that can identify the generated character pattern and can efficiently process the intended character pattern by using the character pattern already generated and cached by each scaler or the character pattern newly generated by each scaler. Flexible construction of processing environment And to provide a character processing method and a character processing apparatus capable.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, first font data used by a first font scaler and second font data used by a second font scaler are stored. A character processing method using a first memory for storing, and a second memory for storing a character pattern generated by a first font scaler and a character pattern generated by a second font scaler in a distinguishable manner. The character pattern corresponding to the specified font scaler, typeface, character code, and character size is the second
A determining step of determining whether or not the character pattern is stored in the memory; and determining that a character pattern corresponding to the font scaler, typeface, character code, and character size specified in the determining step is stored in the second memory. In this case, the character pattern stored in the second memory is written in the third memory, and the character pattern corresponding to the font scaler, font, character code, and character size specified in the determination step is stored in the second memory. If it is determined that the font data is not stored in the first or second font data, the first or second font data corresponding to the specified font scaler is read from the first memory, and the first or second font data read using the specified font scaler is read. A character pattern is generated based on the font data of No. 2 and the generated character pattern is written to the third memory. And a step of writing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the second memory identifies whether the character pattern is a character pattern generated by a first font scaler or a character pattern generated by a second font scaler. The identification information is stored for each character.

In a third aspect according to the present invention, the second memory separately stores a character pattern generated by the first font scaler and a character pattern generated by the second font scaler. is there.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a character pattern stored in the third memory is output to an output means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the output means includes a print engine.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a first memory for storing first font data used by a first font scaler and second font data used by a second font scaler is provided. , A second memory for distinguishably storing a character pattern generated by the first font scaler and a character pattern generated by the second font scaler, and a designated font scaler, typeface, character code, and character size Determination means for determining whether or not a character pattern corresponding to is stored in the second memory; and a font scaler designated by the determination means.
When it is determined that a character pattern corresponding to a typeface, a character code, and a character size is stored in the second memory, the character pattern stored in the second memory is written to a third memory, If it is determined that the character pattern corresponding to the font scaler, typeface, character code, and character size specified by is not stored in the second memory, the first or second font scaler corresponding to the specified font scaler is determined. Means for reading font data from the first memory, generating a character pattern based on the first or second font data read using a designated font scaler, and writing the generated character pattern to a third memory; It has.

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the second memory identifies whether the character pattern is a character pattern generated by a first font scaler or a character pattern generated by a second font scaler. The identification information is stored for each character.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, the second memory separately stores a character pattern generated by the first font scaler and a character pattern generated by the second font scaler. is there.

A ninth invention according to the present invention has output means for outputting a character based on the character pattern stored in the third memory.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the output means includes a print engine.

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a recording apparatus to which the character processing method of the present invention can be applied, for example, in the case of a laser beam printer (LBP).

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body (printer) which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer; According to the information, a corresponding character pattern (generated by the character pattern processing according to the present invention), a form pattern, and the like are created, and an image is formed on a recording paper as a recording medium. 1501 is a switch for operation and LE
Operation panel with D display etc., 1000 is LB
A printer control unit that controls the entire P body 1500 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1502. Laser driver 1
Reference numeral 502 denotes a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503.
On / off switching of the laser light 1504 emitted from 03 is performed. The laser beam 1504 is swung right and left by the rotary polygon mirror 1505 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is stored in a developing unit 150 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1506.
After being developed by 7, the image is transferred to recording paper. This recording paper uses a cut sheet, and the cut sheet recording paper is L
The paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on the BP main body 1500, and a paper feed roller 1509 and a transport roller
The sheet is taken into the apparatus by the transfer rollers 1511 and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a character processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1-8 denotes a reception buffer for storing data received from the host computer 300.
A CPU 1-1 includes a ROM 1-1a and a RAM 1-1b, and comprehensively controls each unit based on a character processing program and a print processing program stored in the ROM 1-1a and described in a flowchart and the like described later.

Reference numeral 1-2 denotes a first font memory which stores outline fonts used in the first font scaler. 1-3 is a second font memory,
The outline font used by the font scaler is stored. A cache memory 1-4 stores character patterns generated based on outline fonts stored in the second font memory 1-3 and the first font memory 1-2. 1-5 page buffer menu
The memory stores the received data for each page. 1-6
Is a bitmap memory for storing output image information for one page, and outputs the stored output image information to the printer engine unit 1-7 (see FIG. 1) to obtain an output 200.

In the character processing apparatus thus constructed, each generating means (by the function processing of the CPU 1-1) refers to each character form information stored in each of the font memories 1-2 and 1-3 and forms each form. Is generated, the generated character patterns, the character form information of each character pattern, the generation means information of each character pattern, and each character code are combined together with the generated pattern storage means (the cache memory 1).
-4) each character code, each character form information, each generating means information in the print information inputted and each character code, each character form information, each generating means information stored in the generated pattern storing means. And the control means (CP
U1-1) controls the reading of each character pattern from the generated pattern storage means. Therefore, even when a character pattern having a different character form is generated, a desired character is identified while identifying the character form of the character pattern already stored. The pattern can be read.

FIG. 3 shows the cache memory 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a data storage state of the information unit IF and the pattern storage unit PAT of the cache memory 1-4 shown in FIG.

As shown in these figures, the first and second
The character pattern generated by the font scaler is stored in the pattern storage unit PAT, and the development information relating to the character pattern is stored in the information unit IF (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 4, the information section IF includes font scaler information FS (an identification number distinguished by an outline font configuration method) and a character set identifier IF1 (a character representing the typeface of a character, for example, Mincho, Gothic, etc.), the registered character code IF2, and the character size IF3 of the character pattern (the size is determined by the width data and the height data) are stored.

In the present embodiment, the character set includes character pitch, orientation such as vertical / horizontal writing,
It can be defined by data such as a graphic set such as ASCII, and a typeface such as a courier (typeface: Mincho, Gothic, etc.), and one font (having the same data except for the graphic set described above) Character group), which has a code system (for example, represented by 8 bits).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first character pattern generation processing procedure in the character processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (13) indicate each step. In this embodiment, it is assumed that one page of data is stored in the page buffer memory 1-5 before the start of this processing.

[0031] First, 1 from the page buffer memory 1-5
Character data (information) is read (1). The information for one character includes font scaler identification information, character set identification information, code information, and character form (size) information.

Next, the font cache memory 1-4
It is determined whether or not the character pattern generated by the same font scaler is stored by referring to each information section in (2), and if the character pattern by the same font scaler is not stored, it is added to the font scaler information. Then, either the first font memory 1-2 or the second font memory 1-3 is selected (3), and the font information is read (4). Next, a character pattern is generated (developed on the RAM 1-1b) from the outline font read using the font scaler specified in step (1).
(Five) . Next, the character pattern is stored in the cache memory 1-4.
(6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the information is the same font scalar information, it is determined whether or not the character set is the same (7).
Proceed to (3) and thereafter, if YES, it is further determined whether or not the character code is the same (8); if NO, proceed to step (3) and above in the same manner as above; if YES, whether the character is the same size (9), if NO, return to step (8). If YES, that is, if the same character code and size are detected, the corresponding character pattern is read from the font cache memory 1-4 (10). ), Writing the character pattern into the bitmap memory 1-6 (11), 1
It is determined whether the bitmap memory development for the page has been completed (12), and if NO, the process returns to step (1), and YES
If so, the image data developed in the bitmap memory 1-6 is transferred to the printer engine unit 1-7 and printed on a recording medium to obtain an output 200 (13).

According to the character processing method according to the invention, the
Using the first scaler and the first font data.
Outputs the character pattern corresponding to the code information
At the time of writing to the code information input to the storage means.
Using the corresponding first scaler and first font data
To determine whether the generated character pattern is stored.
If it is determined that it is stored,
Character pattern to the output memory
If it is determined that there is no response, the first generation unit responds
To generate a character pattern, and
Write to output memory and use different types of scalers
With the same code generated and stored in the same storage device
Ensure each character pattern with different but scaler
Generate character pattern of input character code by identifying
Sometimes, identify and use as font cache
Is possible. Therefore, even when a character pattern having a different character form is generated, a desired character pattern can be read while identifying the character form of the already stored character pattern.

In the figure, reference numeral 6-1 denotes a second font cache memory for storing a character pattern generated from the second font memory 1-3.

FIG. 7 shows the cache memory 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a data storage state of the information memory IF of FIG. 7 and a data structure of the pattern storage part PAT of the cache memory 1-4 shown in FIG. The same components as those in 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in this figure, a font scaler information section FS is provided in the cache memory 1-4 independently of the information section IF.

The second character pattern generation processing operation in the character processing method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a second character pattern generation processing procedure in the character processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (14) indicate each step. In this embodiment, it is assumed that one page of data is stored in the page buffer memory 1-5 before the start of this processing.

[0040] First, 1 from the page buffer memory 1-5
Character data (information) is read (1). The information for one character includes font scaler identification information, character set identification information, code information, and character form (size) information.

Next, the font cache memory 1-4
It is determined whether or not the character pattern generated by the same font scaler is stored by referring to each information section in (2), and if the character pattern by the same font scaler is not stored, it is added to the font scaler information. Then, either the first font memory 1-2 or the second font memory 1-3 is selected (3), and the font information is read (4). Next, a character pattern is generated (developed on the RAM 1-1b) from the outline font read using the font scaler specified in step (1).
(Five) . Next, the cache memory 1-4 or the cache memory 6-1 for registering the character pattern is selected based on the specified font memory (6), and is registered in the selected cache memory 1-4 or the cache memory 6-1 ( 7)

On the other hand, if the same font scalar information is determined in step (2), it is determined whether the character set is the same (8).
Proceed to (3) and thereafter, if YES, it is further determined whether or not the character code is the same (9) .If NO, proceed to step (3) and above in the same manner as described above. It is determined whether or not (10), if NO, returns to step (9), and if YES, that is, if the same character code and size are detected, the corresponding character code is read from the font cache memory 1-4 or the cache memory 6-1. The character pattern is read (11), and the character pattern is written into the bitmap memory 1-6 for one page (12), and it is determined whether the bitmap memory development for one page is completed (13).
If NO, the process returns to step (1). If YES, the image data expanded in the bitmap memory 1-6 is transferred to the printer engine unit 1-7, printed on a recording medium and output.
00 is obtained (14).

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which two font memories for storing outline fonts having different construction methods are provided.
One font memory may be resident and the other may be downloadable from the host computer 300 so that outline fonts can be added, changed or updated.

Also, a case has been described where there are always two font scalers for generating outline fonts with different construction techniques. For example, one font scaler is resident in a recording device, and the other is from the host computer 300. The downloadable font scaler may be configured to be added, changed, or updated. [Third Embodiment] FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a character processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 1-10 denotes a development information memory which stores, for example, the development information of the character pattern generated in advance as shown in FIG. Note that the cache memory 1
- data stored in the 4 3, description is similar to FIG. 4 will be omitted.

In the thus configured character processing apparatus, a character pattern corresponding to the input code information is output.
When writing to the input memory, the command input to the storage means is used.
The first scaler and the first font data corresponding to the
Character patterns generated using data are stored
And if it is determined that it is stored,
Write the stored character pattern to the output memory,
If it is determined that the data is not stored, the writing
Generating a corresponding character pattern by the first generating means;
Write the generated character pattern to the output memory,
Generated by another different scaler on the same storage device
The same code stored but different scaler
Characters to be input that identify each character pattern reliably
When generating the character pattern of the code, the font cache and
And identify and use it. Therefore, each desired character pattern corresponding to each generating means can be selectively registered in the generated pattern storage means.

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the development information stored in the development information memory 1-10 shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, the development information memory 1-
10 is an appearance counter C for each font scaler information FS.
NT, character set identifier ID, character form FO, character code C0-expansion information 1-10a, 1-1
0b is stored and managed.

Hereinafter, the font pattern development process to the font cache memory 1-3 shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a first font pattern developing / registering procedure in the character processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, the character pattern information to be registered in advance, which is stored in the development information memory 1-10, is read (1), and it is determined whether or not all are already registered (2). End, if NO, Figure 1
Selecting a character set according to the development information of the font scaler information stored in the expansion information memory 1-10 FS and character set identifier ID shown in 1 (3). Next, a scalable font corresponding to the character set of the character set is read from the font memory 1-2 (4). Then
The character pattern generating means according to the font scaler information FS is selected (5), and a character pattern is generated using the font scaler selected according to the character form stored in the development information memory 1-10 (6). Next, the generated character pattern is registered in the font cache memory 1-4 together with the information shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (7), and the process returns to step (2).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a third character pattern generation processing procedure in the character processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (12) indicate each step.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that one page of data is stored in the page buffer memory 1-5 before the start of this processing.

[0057] First, 1 from the page buffer memory 1-5
Character data (information) is read (1). The information for one character includes font scaler identification information, character set identification information, code information, and character form (size) information.

Next, the font cache memory 1-4
It is determined whether or not the character pattern generated by the same font scaler is stored by referring to each information section in (2), and if the character pattern by the same font scaler is not stored, step (4) The font information is read, and a character pattern is generated from the outline font read using the font scaler specified in step (1) (developed on the RAM 1-1b).
(Five) . Next, the character pattern is stored in the cache memory 1-4.
(6) and proceed to step (10).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the information is the same font scaler information, it is determined whether or not the character set is the same (3).
Proceed to (4) and thereafter, if YES, it is further determined whether or not the character code is the same (7); if NO, proceed to step (4) and above in the same manner as above, if YES, whether the character is the same size (8) If NO, return to step (7). If YES, that is, if the same character code and size are detected, the corresponding character pattern is read from the font cache memory 1-4 (9). ), And writes the character pattern for one page to bitmap memory 1-6.
(10) It is determined whether or not bitmap memory development for one page is completed (11). If NO, the process returns to step (1). If YES, the image data developed in the bitmap memory 1-6 is copied. Transferred to the printer engine 1-7,
An output 200 is obtained by printing on a recording medium (12).

As described above, by expanding the character pattern in advance, it is not necessary to perform the character expansion at the time of inputting the character code, the character expansion processing time is reduced, and the printing process is performed at a higher speed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a second font pattern development / registration processing procedure in the character processing apparatus according to the present invention. (1) to (8) show each step. In this embodiment, it is assumed that at least two pieces of expansion information 1 and 2 are stored in the expansion information memory 1-10 shown in FIG. 11 as shown in FIG.

First, a character pattern indicated by a development information flag is selected from character pattern information stored in advance in the development information memory 1-10 and previously registered in the cache memory 1-4 (1). . The expansion information flag is specified by, for example, an operation panel attached to the apparatus or a command from the host computer 300.

Next, the information of the character pattern to be registered in advance stored in the development information memory 1-10 is read (2), and it is determined whether or not all are already registered (3). Exit and selects a character set according to the development information of the font scaler information FS and the character set identifier ID stored in the development information memory 1-10 shown in If NO 11 (4). Next, a scalable font corresponding to the character set of the character set is read from the font memory 1-2 (5). Next, a character pattern generating means according to the font scaler information is selected (6), and a character pattern is generated using the font scaler selected according to the character form stored in the development information memory 1-10 (7). Next, the generated character pattern is registered in the font cache memory 1-4 together with the information shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (8), and the process returns to step (3).

In the above embodiment, the case where the expansion information flag is specified by the operation panel or the like has been described. However, the expansion information flag may be automatically selected from the capacity of the font cache memory 1-4 , for example. .

When a plurality of control languages for analyzing the control information input from the host computer 300 are provided, each control language has expansion information and automatically recognizes the expansion information corresponding to the control language. It may be configured to be selectable.

Further, in a recording apparatus in which the resolution of the printer engine unit 1-7 can be switched, the configuration may be such that development information according to each resolution can be automatically selected in the apparatus.

In the above embodiment, the expansion information memory 1-10 shown in FIG. 11 is constituted by a normal RAM or the like. However, if the expansion information memory 1-10 is constituted by a non-volatile storage medium, It can also be rewritten by an operation panel provided on the storage device main body or an instruction from the host computer 300. At this time, the configuration may be such that font scaler information, a character set identifier, a character size, a character code, etc. can be specified simply or simultaneously.

Further, the expansion information memory 1 shown in FIG.
The data stored in -10 is font scaler information, character set identifier, size, and character code, but the present invention is not limited to these. For example, font scaler information alone may be used, or a plurality of them may be combined.

For character codes, instead of specifying a code string, for example, for a medical term, a scientific term,
In various fixed documents such as for general business and New Year's cards,
By storing the frequently used character codes in combination, the configuration may be such that only the form can be specified.

In the above embodiment, the cache memory 1
- 4 based on the development information stored in the expansion information memory 1-10 with respect to has been described process of expanding a character pattern in advance, as shown in the examples below, the priority of character patterns that are frequently used Alternatively, the configuration may be such that it is developed in the cache memory 1-3.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that one page of data is stored in the page buffer memory 1-5 before the start of this processing.

First, 1 is stored in the page buffer memory 1-5.
Read data (information) for characters (1). The information for one character includes font scaler identification information, character set identification information, code information, and character form (size) information.

Next, the font cache memory 1-4
It is determined whether or not the character pattern generated by the same font scaler is stored by referring to each information section in (2), and if the character pattern by the same font scaler is not stored, step (4) The font information is read, and a character pattern is generated from the outline font read using the font scaler specified in step (1) (developed on the RAM 1-1b).
(Five) . Next, the character pattern is stored in the cache memory 1-4.
(6).

On the other hand, if the same font scaler information is determined in step (2), it is determined whether or not the character set is the same (3). If YES, it is further determined whether or not the character code is the same (7), if NO, the process proceeds to step (4) and the same as above, and if YES, it is determined whether the character is the same character ( 8) If NO, return to step (7). If YES, that is, if the same character code and size are detected, the corresponding character pattern is read from the font cache memory 1-4 (9), and step (6) is performed. )) Or the information part (decompression information) of the character pattern read from the font cache memory 1-4 in step (9). A development information registration routine (details will be described later) to be registered in the memory 1-10 is executed (10), and the corresponding appearance counter is incremented.

Next, the character pattern is written into the bitmap memory 1-6 for one page (11), and it is determined whether the development of the bitmap memory for one page is completed (1).
2) If NO, return to step (1); if YES, transfer the image data developed in bitmap memory 1-6 to printer engine 1-7 and print on recording medium to obtain output 200 (13).

By developing a frequently-used character pattern in advance in this way, there is no need to perform character expansion when the character code is input, and the printing process is speeded up.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the detailed procedure of the development information registration routine shown in FIG.
Note that (1) to (4) indicate each step.

First, when font scaler information, character set identifier, character size, and character code development information are input (1), the same font scaler information, character set identifier, Search for combinations of character sizes (2). As a result of this search, if the expansion information of the corresponding character pattern does not exist in the expansion information memory 1-10, the expansion information of the character pattern is newly registered. Increment the counter (3). It should be noted that the appearance frequency counter includes font scaler information,
1 for each combination of character set identifier and size
Exist. Therefore, for example, a Mincho style dot size of 50
× 50, dot size 50 × 50 for Gothic style, dot size 40 × 40 for Mincho style
And the character code of that typeface and size is incremented by one each time it comes.

Next, the counted expansion information is registered in the expansion information memory 1-10 composed of a nonvolatile memory (4), and the processing is terminated.

Thus, for example, in step (1) of the character pattern selection / registration process shown in FIG. 15, the contents of the appearance counter stored in the registered development information memory 1-10 are checked, and the frequency of appearance is highest. The expansion information is read out, and the character pattern that is frequently used can be expanded in the cache memory 1-4 in priority according to the expansion information.
In the above embodiment developed in the development information information memory 1- 1
In the case of registering 0 , as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, each time a character code is received, instead of writing it into the development information memory 1-10, a development information table is once created in the RAM 1-lb. Te, the most frequently occurrence counter at constant Taiminda like, may be configured to rewrite the expansion information memory 1-10.

Therefore, in this case, the development information memory 1
The appearance counter is not required within -10.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 14, the processing when the character pattern is developed in advance has been described. However, the start timing of the processing may be any time.
If the process is executed at a timing when print data is not received, the character pattern developing process at the start of the next print process can be made more efficient.

In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described where the character dot pattern generated in advance is stored in the cache memory 1-4 constituted by a storage medium such as a RAM. However, a non-volatile memory medium may be used. And
It may be a secondary storage device.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the configuration of another recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, and shows, for example, the case of an ink jet recording apparatus (IJRA).

In the drawing, the drive motor 5013 moves in forward and reverse rotations to drive the drive force transmission gears 5011, 5010, 5.
009 through the screw structure 50 of the lead screw 5005
The carriage HC which engages with the carriage 04 has a pin (not shown) and is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. The carriage HC includes an ink jet cartridge IJC.
Is installed. 5002 is a paper pressing plate which presses the paper P against a platen 5000 over the carriage movement direction. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which function as home position detection means for confirming the presence of the lever 5006 of the carriage HC in this region and switching the rotation method of the drive motor 5013. 50
16 is a cap member 5 for capping the entire surface of the recording head.
Reference numeral 5015, a member for supporting 022, is suction means for sucking the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade which can be moved in the front-rear direction by a member 5019. Reference numeral 5018 denotes a main body support plate that supports the cleaning blade 5017 and the member 5019. Reference numeral 5012 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery.
The driving force from the driving motor 5013 is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. 5003 is a guide
Rails.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that when the carriage HC comes to the home position side area, desired processing can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005. What is necessary is just to be configured to perform a desired operation at a timing.

When recording information is input from a host computer via an interface (not shown) in each of the recording apparatuses configured as described above, the expansion information of the character pattern is managed as described above, so that printing can be performed from the start of printing. Character pattern development processing using a font cache becomes possible, and the time required until the start of printing in the related art can be significantly reduced.

[0088]

As described above, according to the character processing method of the present invention, the first font data used in the first font scaler and the second font used in the second font scaler are used. Character processing method using a first memory for storing data and a second memory for storing a character pattern generated by a first font scaler and a character pattern generated by a second font scaler in a distinguishable manner And the specified font scaler,
A determining step of determining whether a character pattern corresponding to a typeface, a character code, and a character size is stored in the second memory; and a font scaler, a typeface, a character code, and a character size designated by the determining step. Is determined to be stored in the second memory, the character pattern stored in the second memory is written to the third memory, and the font scaler, If it is determined that the character pattern corresponding to the character code and the character size is not stored in the second memory, the first or second font data corresponding to the designated font scaler is stored in the first memory. Read, and based on the first or second font data read using the specified font scaler. It generates come character pattern, since a step of writing the generated character pattern in the third memory, utilizing a plurality of scalers, it is possible to perform character generation process properly.

According to the character processing device of the present invention, the first
A first memory for storing first font data used by the font scaler and a second font data used by the second font scaler; a character pattern generated by the first font scaler; And a second memory for storing a character pattern generated by the font scaler of the present invention in a distinguishable manner, and a character pattern corresponding to a specified font scaler, typeface, character code, and character size stored in the second memory. Determining that the character pattern corresponding to the font scaler, typeface, character code, and character size specified by the determining means is stored in the second memory; The character pattern stored in the second memory is written into the third memory, and the font pattern designated by the determination means is written. If it is determined that the character pattern corresponding to the specified font scaler, typeface, character code, and character size is not stored in the second memory, the first or second font data corresponding to the designated font scaler is stored in the memory. Means for generating a character pattern based on the first or second font data read from the first memory and read using the designated font scaler, and writing the generated character pattern to the third memory. Character generation processing can be appropriately performed using a plurality of scalers. Therefore, when using different scalers, identify the character patterns already generated by the matching scaler and use the character patterns already generated and cached by each scaler or the character patterns newly generated by each scaler. Thus, it is possible to construct a character processing environment such that an intended character pattern can be efficiently processed.

[0090]

[0091]

[0092]

[0093]

[0094]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a recording apparatus to which a character processing method according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a data storage state of a cache memory 1-4 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of an information section IF and a pattern storage section PAT of the cache memory 1-4 shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first character pattern generation processing procedure in a character processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a data storage state of a cache memory 1-4 shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of an information section IF and a pattern storage section PAT of the cache memory 1-4 illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second character pattern generation processing procedure in a character processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character processing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a diagram showing an example of development information stored in a development information memory 1-10 shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first font pattern development / registration processing procedure in the character processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third character pattern generation processing procedure in a character processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second font pattern development / registration processing procedure in the character processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of expansion information in the character processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth character pattern generation processing procedure in the character processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed procedure of a development information registration routine illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of another recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-1 CPU 1-1a ROM 1-1b RAM 1-2 Font memory 1-3 Font memory 1-4 Cache memory 1-5 Page buffer memory 1-6 Bitmap memory 1-7 Printer engine section

Continuation of front page (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G09G 5/00-5/42 B41J 5/30 G06F 17/21

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first font scaler uses
Used by the first font data and the second font scaler
A first memory for storing second font data to be stored;
Character pattern generated by first font scaler
And the character pattern generated by the second font scaler
A character processing method using a second memory that stores the font and the font in a specified manner.
The character pattern corresponding to the character size is stored in the second memory.
A determining step of determining whether or not the font is stored; a font scaler designated by the determining step;
Character pattern corresponding to typeface, character code, and character size
If the sequence is determined to be stored in the second memory,
If the character pattern stored in the second memory is
3 Write to memory, and
Font scaler, typeface, character code, and character size
The character pattern corresponding to the character is stored in the second memory.
If it is determined that the font
First or second font data corresponding to the first
Read from memory and use the specified font scaler.
Based on the first or second font data read
Character pattern and generate the character pattern
3 character processing method characterized by chromatic and writing to memory. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second memory is a first font schedule.
Character pattern generated by the
Whether it is a character pattern generated by the
Character processing method of claim 1, wherein that you have to store identification information for identifying each character. 3. The first memory according to claim 1, wherein said second memory is a first font scale.
Character pattern and second fonts generated by the
2. The character processing method according to claim 1, wherein the character pattern generated by the caller is stored separately . 4. The character processing method according to claim 1, wherein the character pattern stored in the third memory is output to an output unit. 5. The output means includes a print engine.
Character processing method of claim 4, wherein the free it. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first font scaler uses a second font scaler.
Used by the first font data and the second font scaler
A first memory for storing second font data to be used, and a character pattern generated by the first font scaler.
And the character pattern generated by the second font scaler
And a second memory for identifiably storing a font , a designated font scaler, a typeface, a character code, and
The character pattern corresponding to the character size is stored in the second memory.
Determining means for determining whether or not the information is stored; a font scaler and a font designated by the determining means;
Character pattern corresponding to body, character code, and character size
If it is determined that the application is stored in the second memory,
If the character pattern stored in the second memory is
3 Write to the memory, and
Fonts, fonts, character codes, and character sizes
A corresponding character pattern is stored in the second memory.
If it is determined that there is no font scaler
The corresponding first or second font data is stored in the first memo.
Read from the file and use the specified font scaler.
Sentence based on the first or second font data read out
A character pattern is generated, and the generated character pattern is
And a means for writing to a memory. 7. The first memory according to claim 1, wherein said second memory is a first font scale.
Character pattern generated by the
Whether it is a character pattern generated by the
7. The character processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein identification information for identification is stored for each character. 8. The first memory according to claim 1, wherein said second memory has a first font scale.
Character pattern and second fonts generated by the
7. The character processing device according to claim 6, wherein the character pattern generated by the caller is stored separately . 9. The character processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising output means for outputting a character based on the character pattern stored in said third memory . 10. The output means includes a print engine.
The character processing device according to claim 9 , further comprising: