JP4581809B2 - Character ruled line processing method, apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a character ruled line processing method, apparatus, and program for processing character ruled line data, and in particular, converts print data in which ruled lines are expressed by character ruled lines into print data in which ruled lines are expressed by ruled line commands. The present invention relates to a character ruled line processing method, apparatus, and program for reducing the amount.

  Conventionally, in mainframe computers and office computers, ruled lines in print data are expressed by using character ruled lines.

For example, Patent Document 1 includes a code conversion expansion unit, a starting point distance detection unit, a drawing length calculation unit, and a ruled line drawing unit when drawing a ruled line, thereby extending the ruled line beyond the character size. In this case, there has been proposed a ruled line character extension processing method capable of preventing the deterioration of the drawing quality and improving the drawing performance.
JP-A-6-255198

  However, when printing data in which ruled lines are expressed by character ruled lines, the amount of data is increased because the character ruled lines must be handled as characters, resulting in inconvenience that the printing process takes time.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a character ruled line processing method, apparatus, and program for converting print data in which ruled lines are expressed by character ruled lines into print data in which ruled lines are expressed by ruled line commands to reduce the data amount. Objective.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a character ruled line processing method in which print data in which a ruled line is represented by a character ruled line is printed by a printer, and the position of the ruled line included in the character ruled line sequentially read from the print data. When the attribute determination unit determines whether the attribute relating to the information is a start point, an intermediate point, or an end point, and the attribute determination unit determines that the attribute is the start point, the read character corresponding to the ruled line number When the ruled line information including the start point of the ruled line is registered by the registering unit, and the attribute determined by the attribute determining unit is intermediate or end point, the read character ruled line is indicated by the ruled line information registered in the registering unit or leading to one of the borders of the ruled line is discriminated by the discriminating means, based on a determination result of the attribute by the attribute discrimination unit of the read was character borders, the The endpoint of the ruled line information registered in the registration means is determined to lead with the reading obtained character borders and extended by end point extension processing unit by another unit, based on the ruled line information endpoint is extended by the endpoint extension process means A ruled line command is created by a ruled line command creating means , and a ruled line expressed by the character ruled line is printed by the printer based on the created ruled line command.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, attribute information relating to the line width, line type, and shape of the character ruled line is stored in advance in the character ruled line attribute table corresponding to the character ruled line. It is characterized by referring to the attribute table to determine whether there is a character ruled line connected to the ruled line indicated by the ruled line information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the direction detection means detects whether the direction of the ruled line of the read ruled line information is vertical or horizontal, and the attribute determination means determines the attribute. When extending the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registration means determined to be connected to the character ruled line determined to be the end point, when the ruled line direction of the read character ruled line is the vertical direction, The end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by the end point extension processing means by a length obtained by adding half the length of the character frame to the length of the line interval, and the ruled line information of the read character ruled line is extended. When the direction is the horizontal direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by the end point extension processing means by a length obtained by adding half the length of the character frame to the length of the column interval. To do.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the direction detecting unit detects whether the direction of the ruled line of the read ruled line information is a vertical direction or a horizontal direction, and the attribute determining unit. When extending the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registration means determined to be connected to the character ruled line determined to be intermediate by the attribute, the ruled line direction of the read character ruled line is the vertical direction The end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by the end point extension processing means by a length obtained by adding the length of the character frame to the length of the line interval, and the direction of the ruled line of the read character ruled line is determined. In the case of the horizontal direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by the end point extension processing means by a length obtained by adding the length of the character frame to the length of the column interval.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the character ruled line processing apparatus for printing the print data in which the ruled line is expressed by the character ruled line by the printer, the attribute regarding the position information of the ruled line included in the character ruled line sequentially read from the print data , An attribute determination unit for determining whether the attribute is the middle or the end, and if the attribute determination unit determines that the attribute is the start point, includes the start point of the read character ruled line corresponding to the ruled line number If the attribute determined by the registration unit for registering ruled line information and the attribute determining unit is an intermediate or end point, any character of the ruled line indicated by the ruled line information registered in the registration unit is the read character ruled line Based on the determination result of the attribute by the attribute determination unit of the read character ruled line, the determination unit determines whether the ruled line is connected to the ruled line An end point extension processing means for extending the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registration means determined to be connected to the taken character ruled line, and a ruled line command is created based on the ruled line information whose end point is extended by the end point extension processing means And a ruled line command creating means for printing the ruled line represented by the character ruled line on the basis of the ruled line command.
The invention of claim 6 further comprises a character ruled line attribute table that prestores attribute information related to the line width, line type, and shape of the character ruled line corresponding to the character ruled line in the invention of claim 5, The determination unit determines whether there is a character ruled line connected to the ruled line indicated by the ruled line information with reference to the character ruled line attribute table.
The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising direction detection means for detecting whether the direction of the ruled line of the read ruled line information is vertical or horizontal, and the end point extension processing means. Is the direction of the ruled line of the read character ruled line when extending the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registering means determined to be connected to the character ruled line determined to be the end point by the attribute determining means Is the vertical direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by a length obtained by adding half the length of the character frame to the length of the line interval, and the read character ruled line When the direction of the ruled line is the horizontal direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by a length obtained by adding the half of the length of the character frame to the length of the column interval.
The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising direction detection means for detecting whether the direction of the ruled line of the read ruled line information is vertical or horizontal, and the end point. The extension processing means, when extending the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registration means determined to be connected to the character ruled line determined to be intermediate by the attribute determining means, If the direction of the ruled line is the vertical direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by a length obtained by adding the length of the character frame to the length of the line interval, and the ruled line of the read character ruled line Is the horizontal direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by the length obtained by adding the length of the character frame to the length of the column interval.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character ruled line processing program for causing a computer to execute character ruled line processing for causing a printer to print print data in which a ruled line is expressed by a character ruled line. An attribute discriminating unit that discriminates whether the attribute relating to the position information of the ruled line included in the ruled line is a start point, an intermediate point, or an end point. When the attribute discriminating unit determines that the attribute is the start point, it corresponds to the ruled line number. Registration means for registering ruled line information including the start point of the read character ruled line, and when the attribute determined by the attribute determining means is intermediate or end point, the read character ruled line is registered in the registration means. Determining means for determining which character ruled line of the ruled line indicated by the ruled line information is connected; and determining the attribute of the read character ruled line An end point extension processing means for extending an end point of the ruled line information registered in the registration means determined to be connected to the read character ruled line by the discrimination means based on the attribute discrimination result by the means; the end point extension processing means To function as ruled line command creating means for creating a ruled line command based on the ruled line information with the end point extended.

  According to the character ruled line processing method, apparatus and program of the present invention, ruled line information including the starting point of the ruled line is registered from the character ruled line included in the print data, and whether there is a character ruled line connected to the ruled line indicated by the registered ruled line information. If there is a character ruled line that is connected to the ruled line indicated by the ruled line information, the end point of the registered ruled line information is extended based on the character ruled line, and a ruled line command is created based on the ruled line information with the extended end point. Since the ruled lines represented by the character ruled lines are printed by the printer based on the ruled line command, the print data representing the ruled lines represented by the character ruled lines is converted into the print data representing the ruled lines by the ruled line command. There is an effect that the amount can be reduced.

  Embodiments of a character ruled line processing method, apparatus, and program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of a printing system 100 to which a character ruled line processing method, apparatus, and program according to the present invention are applied.

  In this embodiment, the print data in which the ruled lines in the data are represented by the character ruled lines is the old information print data, and the ruled lines in the data are ruled line commands that enable drawing of the ruled lines with the start and end points determined. The following description will be given assuming that the print data represented is Windows (registered trademark) data.

  In the printing system 100, a host 10, a server 20, and an image forming apparatus 30 are connected to a network 40.

  The host 10 is composed of a personal computer, and transmits old information processing print data in which ruled lines in the print data are represented by character ruled lines to the server 20.

  The server 20 converts the old information processing print data sent from the host 10 into Windows (registered trademark) data in which the ruled lines in the print data are represented by ruled line commands by the conversion software 22, and the printer driver 21 uses the image forming apparatus 30. It is converted into PDL (Page Description Language) so that it can be printed and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30.

  The conversion software 22 in the server 20 edits the character ruled line data from the old information print data received from the host, draws the ruled line with the rule command, and combines with the character data in the old information print data. To Windows (registered trademark) data.

  The image forming apparatus 30 performs printing based on PDL-formatted print data transmitted from the server 20.

  Here, the old information print data is print data used in a mainframe computer or an office computer, and ruled lines are expressed by character ruled lines or ruled line commands.

  Also, in Windows (registered trademark) data, a ruled line is represented by a ruled line command that defines a start point and an end point instead of a character ruled line, and one ruled line command is prepared for each ruled line.

  Next, an outline of the printing process performed by the server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing flow of the printing process performed in the server 20.

  When the server 20 receives the old information print data from the host 10 (step 201), the conversion software 22 converts the old information print data in which the ruled lines are represented by character ruled lines and the Windows (registered trademark) in which the ruled lines are represented by ruled line commands. ) Convert to data (step 202).

  The print data converted into Windows (registered trademark) data is converted to PDL by the printer driver 21 (step 203) and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 (step 204).

  Next, the configuration of the main part of the server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the server 20.

  The server 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 302, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 303, a network interface (hereinafter referred to as a network I / F. The same applies to the drawings) 304, and a hard disk 307. Connected to bus 308.

  The CPU 301 controls the operation of the server 20.

  The RAM 302 stores processing for storing information for creating ruled line commands and character data read from the old information processing print data when the server 20 converts the old information processing print data into Windows (registered trademark) data. Processing, processing for temporarily storing the program of the printer driver 21 stored in the hard disk 307, and the like are performed.

  The ROM 303 stores a program for the conversion software 22 in the server 20.

  A network I / F 304 is connected to the network 40, receives old information processing print data from the host 10, and transmits Windows (registered trademark) data converted to PDL to the image forming apparatus 30.

  The hard disk 307 stores the printer driver 21 program.

  Next, a functional block configuration in the server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional block configuration in the server 20.

  The server 20 includes a print data receiving unit 401, a character code reading unit 402, a character data creating unit 403, a drawing unit 404, a character ruled line connection determining unit 405, a character ruled line attribute table 406, a ruled line information creating unit 407, and a ruled line information storing unit 408. A ruled line command creation unit 409, a printer driver 410, and a print data transmission unit 411.

  The print data receiving unit 401 receives the old information print data from the host 10, and the character code reading unit 402 reads the character code for each character arranged in the received old information print data, and the character ruled line attribute table 406. Is compared with the character codes of the character ruled lines stored in advance in advance, and it is determined for each character whether the character read the character code is a character ruled line (the character code reading unit 402 reads the characters in the old information print data). The order will be explained in detail later).

  When the character read by the character code reading unit 402 is not a character ruled line, the character data creation unit 403 stores the read character and draws the character data when the drawing unit 404 generates Windows (registered trademark) data. Send to part 404.

  The character ruled line connection determination unit 405 refers to the character ruled line attribute table 406, and the attribute serving as position information constituting the ruled line of the ruled line included in the character ruled line read by the character code reading unit 402 has a start point, an intermediate point, or an end point It is determined whether or not it is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408.

  The character ruled line attribute table 406 stores in advance the attribute of the character ruled line corresponding to the character code written on the character ruled line and the vertical and horizontal directions of the character ruled line.

  The character ruled line attribute table 406 may store attribute information regarding the line width, line type, and shape of the character ruled line.

  When the character ruled line attribute is obtained from the character ruled line attribute table 406, each character ruled line constitutes a ruled line, and the character ruled line positioned at the start point of the ruled line or the character ruled line positioned at the middle or end point of the ruled line Therefore, the character ruled line connection determination unit 405 determines whether or not the character ruled line connection attribute is used (the contents stored in the character ruled line attribute table 406 will be described in detail later).

  The ruled line information creating unit 407 creates a ruled line command in the ruled line information storage unit 408 when the character ruled line connection determining unit 405 determines that the ruled line in the read character ruled line is the starting ruled line. As the ruled line information, the ruled line direction, line width, line type, start point, and end point are registered for the ruled line included in the read character ruled line.

  For the ruled lines in the character ruled lines determined to be intermediate or terminal by the character ruled line connection determining unit 405, the ruled lines connected to the ruled lines in the read character ruled lines are selected from the ruled line information registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408. The end point of the found ruled line is rewritten to the extended end point by connecting the ruled lines in the character ruled line.

  The ruled line information storage unit 408 registers the ruled line direction, line width, line type, start point, and end point for each ruled line (contents registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 will be described in detail later).

  Next, the reading order in which the print data reading unit 402 reads the character codes of the characters arranged in the old information print data for each character will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of print data showing the reading order in which the print data reading unit 402 reads the character codes of the characters arranged in the old information print data for each character.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the print codes of the characters or character ruled lines 502 arranged in the printable range 501 of the paper 500 are sequentially displayed from the left of the top line in order from the characters or character ruled lines arranged at the upper left corner of the print page. When read to the right and read to the right end, the next line is read.

  Next, the contents stored in the character ruled line attribute table 406 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram or table showing an example of contents stored in the character ruled line attribute table 406.

  FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating a location where a ruled line included in a character ruled line is formed, and FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a character ruled line 601 that is an example of a character ruled line. FIG. 6C is a table showing an example of a character ruled line attribute table in which attributes of the character ruled lines 601 are stored in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the ruled lines included in the character ruled lines are configured in four places surrounded by the character frame 602, and the ruled lines are arranged in the vertical direction and the vertical direction 603 in the upper part. A vertical portion 604 in which the ruled line is formed in the vertical direction and in the lower part, a horizontal direction 605 in which the ruled line is formed in the horizontal direction and on the left part of the character frame 602, and A ruled line in the character ruled line is configured at the position of the horizontal right portion 606 configured as shown in FIG.

  Then, the contents stored in the character ruled line attribute table 406 taking the character ruled line 601 shown in FIG. 6B as an example, as shown in FIG. 6C, the character code of the character ruled line 601 and FIG. The contents of the ruled line formed in the vertical direction 603, which is the place where the ruled line in the character ruled line shown in a) is formed, are written as the thick line and the end as the vertical line width and vertical attribute, respectively.

  Further, as the contents of the character ruled lines 601, line widths and attributes are stored for the ruled lines configured in the vertical lower part 604, the ruled lines configured in the horizontal direction 605, and the ruled lines configured in the horizontal right part 606, respectively. .

  In the ruled line attributes, the leading, middle, and ending lines indicate that the ruled line expressed in the old information print data is drawn from the left to the right of the printed paper, and forms the first part of one ruled line. Is the middle, the ruled line constituting the middle is the middle, and the ruled line constituting the final is the end.

  Further, regarding the vertical direction, the leading edge, the middle edge, and the trailing edge are positioned on the paper on which the ruled lines expressed in the old information print data are printed and drawn from the top to the bottom.

  For example, the portion in the vertical direction 603 of the character ruled line 601 shown in FIG. 6 is a portion that constitutes the final drawing in which one ruled line from the character ruled line 607 is drawn below. It is written.

  Further, for example, the portion of the horizontal right portion 606 of the character ruled line 601 shown in FIG. 6 is a portion constituting the beginning of one ruled line drawn on the character ruled line 608. Therefore, the character ruled line attribute table has the horizontal right portion attribute. The tip is marked.

  Next, the contents registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a table showing the contents registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the ruled line information storage unit 408, as ruled line information for creating a ruled line command for each ruled line, the direction of the ruled line (vertical or horizontal), line width, line type (line, broken line) Etc.), the start point and end point are registered.

  Next, the coordinates of the start point and the end point registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the coordinates of the start point and end point registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the upper left end point of the printable range is defined as the origin, and the coordinate is expressed with the horizontal direction toward the right of the paper as the X axis and the downward direction toward the bottom of the paper as the Y axis.

  For example, in the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 8, when the start point and end point of the ruled line 801 extending horizontally on the first line are represented by coordinates, the character size L = 0.8, which is the size of the character frame, and the character interval b, which is the character interval. When = 0.2, the coordinates of the start point 802 are 0.4 for the X coordinate and 0.4 for the Y coordinate, and the coordinates for the end point 803 are 42.4 for the X coordinate and 0.4 for the Y coordinate ( This is a case where 43 characters are arranged in one line).

  The contents registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 for the ruled line information of the ruled line 801 shown in FIG. 8 are the contents described by the ruled line No1 shown in FIG. 7, the direction is horizontal, the line width is thin, and the line type is line. The start point and end point are written, and a ruled line command is created based on the ruled line information.

  As described above, when the ruled line 801 is expressed by the old information print data, the character ruled line must be expressed using 43 character ruled lines for one horizontal line. When converted to Windows (registered trademark) data by the printing system 100, it is expressed as a ruled line command using the direction of the ruled line 801, the line width, the line type, the start point, and the end point, so that the data amount can be reduced. .

  Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the coordinates 805 of the center of the character located in m rows and n columns have an X coordinate of (n−1 //, where a is a line interval, b is a character interval, and L is a character size. 2) L + (n-1) b, and the Y coordinate is (m-1 / 2) L + (m-1) a (hereinafter, the line spacing of characters arranged in the print data is a, and the character spacing is b, the character size is described as L).

  Next, a processing flow when the old information processing print data is converted into Windows (registered trademark) data representing a ruled line by a ruled line command by the conversion software 22 in the server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process flow when the conversion data 22 of the server 20 converts the old information processing print data into Windows (registered trademark) data that expresses ruled lines with ruled line commands.

  In the server 20, when the print data receiving unit 401 receives the old information print data from the host 10, the character code reading unit 402 of the conversion software 22 reads the character code of the character arranged in the old information print data (step 901). .

  The character code reading unit 402 compares the character code read by the character ruled line attribute table 406 with the character code of the character ruled line, and the character code reading unit 402 determines whether the character of the read character code is a character ruled line. (Step 902).

  If the character read from the character code is not a ruled line (NO in step 902), the character data creation unit 403 stores the read character as character data (step 903).

  If the character of the character code read by the character code reading unit 402 is a character ruled line (YES in step 902), the character ruled line connection determining unit 405 stores the read character code in the character ruled line attribute table 406. With reference to the contents, it is determined whether the ruled line included in the read character ruled line is a ruled line that is the starting point or a ruled line that is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408.

  That is, referring to the character ruled line attribute table 406 from the read character code, it is determined whether the attribute of the ruled line included in the referenced character ruled line is the leading edge, middle or trailing edge, and if it is a leading edge (NO in step 904). It is determined that it is not connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408, and for the ruled line whose attribute is the tip, a new ruled line No is set in the ruled line information storage unit 408 as new ruled line information, and the direction and line width of the ruled line The line type, start point, and end point are registered (step 916).

  If the ruled line other than the ruled line determined in step 904 is included in the character ruled line referenced from the character ruled line attribute table 406 (YES in step 917), the ruled line included in the character ruled line is Processing is performed by determining whether the ruled line is a starting line or a ruled line connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408.

  For example, the character ruled lines 601 shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C are configured in the vertical direction 603 because different ruled lines are formed in the vertical direction 603, the vertical lower part 604, the horizontal direction 605, and the horizontal right part 606, respectively. When the processing from step 904 is completed for one ruled line, the processing from step 904 is performed again for the ruled lines configured at other locations.

  In step 904, if the ruled line attribute included in the read character ruled line is intermediate or terminal (YES in step 904), it is determined that the ruled line is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408. It is determined whether the direction is vertical (step 905). If the direction is vertical (YES in step 905), the ruled line included in the read character ruled line is any ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408. It is examined whether or not they are connected (step 906).

  That is, the coordinates of the center of the character ruled line from which the character code has been read are obtained, and the ruled line information storage unit 408 is searched for a ruled line whose end point is the coordinate obtained by subtracting the Y coordinate by (a + 1 / 2L) from the obtained coordinate of the center ( Step 906).

  When a ruled line connected to the ruled line checked in step 904 is searched from the ruled lines registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408, if the ruled line attribute checked in step 904 is the end (YES in step 907), the end point of the connected ruled line Is extended by the half of the line interval and the character frame, the end points of the connected ruled lines registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 are added and registered again (step 908).

  If the ruled line attribute is intermediate rather than the end (NO in step 907), the ruled line information registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 is used to extend the end of the connected ruled line by the line interval and the length of the character frame. The end point of the connected ruled line is added (a + L) and re-registered (step 909).

  For example, when the character code reading unit 402 reads the character code of the character ruled line 804 at the location of the third row and first column in the old information print data shown in FIG. 8, the coordinates of the center of the character ruled line 804 are a = B = 0.2, L = 0.8 When the above equation is applied, the X coordinate becomes 0.4 and the Y coordinate becomes 2.4, and the read character ruled line 804 is also a character as shown in FIG. From the contents stored in the ruled line attribute table 406, the line width of the ruled line formed in the vertical direction is fine and the attribute is intermediate (YES in step 905), so the Y coordinate is (a + 1 / 2L) from the coordinates of the center of the character ruled line 804. When the ruled line information storage unit 408 is searched for a ruled line having an X coordinate of 0.4 and a Y coordinate of 1.8 as the end point (step 906), the ruled line information storage unit 408 shown in FIG. The ruled line of the ruled line No2 is Since the coordinates of the point are X coordinate 0.4 and Y coordinate 1.8, it is determined that the ruled line included in the character ruled line 804 is connected to the ruled line No2 in the ruled line information storage unit 408 (step 906). The Y coordinate of the end point of ruled line No. 2 is added (a + L) = 1.0, and the end point coordinate of ruled line No. 2 is re-registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 as X coordinate 0.4 and Y coordinate 2.8 (step 909). .

  FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of the contents stored in advance in the character ruled line attribute table 406 of the character ruled line 804, and shows the line width and attribute of the ruled line included in the character ruled line 804.

  In step 905, if the direction of the ruled line included in the read character ruled line is horizontal (NO in step 905), the ruled line included in the read character ruled line is registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408. Whether it is connected to the ruled line is checked in the same manner as in the vertical case (YES in step 905).

  That is, the coordinates of the center of the read character ruled line are obtained, and the ruled line information storage unit 408 is searched for a ruled line whose end point is a coordinate obtained by subtracting the X coordinate by (b + 1 / 2L) from the obtained coordinate of the center (step 910). .

  When a ruled line connected to the ruled line included in the character ruled line read in step 901 is searched from the ruled lines registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 (step 910 is completed), when the attribute of the ruled line included in the read character ruled line is the end (YES in step 911), the end point of the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 is added (b + 1 / 2L) to extend the end point of the connected ruled line by half the length of the character interval and the character frame. Register (step 912).

  If the attribute of the ruled line is not the end but intermediate (NO in step 911), the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 is used to extend the end point of the connected ruled line by the length of the character interval and the character frame. (B + L) is added to re-register (step 913).

  After determining that the ruled line included in the character ruled line read from the character code in step 904 is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 shown in FIG. 7, the end point of the connected ruled line is extended (step 909 or 908). Or after 912 or 913), if the ruled line in the character ruled line referenced from the character ruled line attribute table 406 includes a ruled line other than the ruled line determined in step 904, as in the process in step 917 ( From step 904, the processing is performed again from step 904 by determining whether the ruled line included in the character ruled line is the ruled line that is the starting point or the ruled line that is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408.

  If the ruled line in the character ruled line referred to from the character ruled line attribute table 406 contains no ruled line other than the ruled line determined in step 904 (NO in step 914), then one page of the old information print data is further printed. If all the character codes have not been read (NO in step 915), the process returns to step 901, where the character code reading unit 402 reads character codes for the next character in the order shown in FIG. The process of reading the character code for the character is performed.

  When all the character codes for one page of the old information print data have been read (YES in step 915), the ruled line command creation unit 409 adds one ruled line command to draw a ruled line from the contents registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408. One ruled line is created (step 918).

  Next, drawing of Windows (registered trademark) data to be printed is performed by combining the character data stored in the character data generating unit 403 and the ruled line generated by the ruled line command generated by the ruled line command generating unit 409 in the drawing unit. Performed (step 919).

  In this way, the conversion software 22 converts the old information processing print data in which the ruled line is expressed by the character ruled line into Windows (registered trademark) data in which one ruled line is expressed by the ruled line command.

  After the conversion, Windows (registered trademark) data is converted to PDL by the printer drivers 21 and 410 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 from the print data transmission unit 411. Therefore, when printing data with many ruled lines, the old information processing is performed. The amount of data is significantly reduced compared to the print data, and the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 30 can be greatly improved.

  In Steps 906 and 910, when searching for which ruled line in the ruled line information storage unit 408 the ruled line included in the character ruled line is connected, a process of comparing the line width of the ruled line is performed to check whether or not the ruled line is connected. You may do it.

  In the first embodiment, whether or not a ruled line included in a character ruled line is connected to a ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 is registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 if the ruled line attribute is intermediate or terminal. Although it has been determined that any ruled line is connected and a process for searching for the connected ruled line is performed, in this embodiment, whether the ruled line included in the character ruled line is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408 or not. By determining the start point coordinates for each ruled line included in the character ruled lines, comparing the coordinates with the end point coordinates of the ruled lines registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408, and comparing the line width, line type, etc. An embodiment for determining whether or not they are connected will be described.

  The difference from the first embodiment is related to a method for determining whether or not ruled lines are connected. In this embodiment, differences will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the same components as those in the first embodiment. The description is omitted to avoid duplication.

  In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the print data in which the ruled lines in the data are represented by character ruled lines is the old information print data, and the print data in which the ruled lines in the data are represented by the ruled line command is Windows (registered trademark). ) The following explanation is given as data.

  FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of a printing system 110 to which the character ruled line processing method, apparatus, and program according to the present invention are applied.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the printing system 110 differs from the printing system 100 described in the first embodiment in that the conversion software that converts the old information processing print data received from the host 10 is a server that includes the conversion software 23 instead of the conversion software 22. 25 (conversion software 23 will be described in detail later).

  The content processed by the printing system 110 is the same as the content processed by the printing system 100 described in the first embodiment, and the old information processing print data including ruled lines formed by character ruled lines is received in the server. This is a process of converting Windows (registered trademark) data in which ruled lines are configured by a ruled line command by the conversion software provided, and transmitting Windows (registered trademark) data converted to PDL to the image forming apparatus 30.

  Next, the structure of the principal part of the server 25 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the server 25.

  In the server 25, a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a network I / F 304, a hard disk 307, and a ROM 310 are connected to a bus 308.

  The server 25 includes a ROM 310 that stores a program of the conversion software 23 as a main part different from the main part of the server 20 described with reference to FIG.

  In addition to the operation described in the first embodiment, the RAM 302 also stores a character ruled line end point table in which ruled line end points are recorded.

  Next, a functional block configuration in the server 25 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional block configuration in the server 25.

  The server 25 includes a print data receiving unit 401, a character code reading unit 402, a character data creating unit 403, a drawing unit 404, a character ruled line attribute table 406, a ruled line information creating unit 407, a ruled line command creating unit 409, a printer driver 410, print data. A transmission unit 411, a character ruled line end point table 1307, a character ruled line connection determination unit 1306, and a ruled line information storage unit 1309 are provided.

  The server 25 includes a character ruled line end point table 1307, a character ruled line connection determination unit 1306, and a ruled line information storage unit 1309 as blocks different from the functional blocks of the server 20 described in the first embodiment.

  The character ruled line connection determining unit 1306 refers to the character ruled line attribute table 406, forms a character ruled line end point table 1307 for the ruled lines included in the character ruled lines of the character codes read by the character code reading unit 402, and further reads them. It is determined whether or not the ruled line included in the character ruled line of the character code is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309. If the ruled line is not connected, newly read ruled line information is registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309, In the case of connection, a process of extending the end point of the connected ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309 and re-registering is performed.

  The ruled line information storage unit 1309 registers ruled line information for creating a ruled line command for each ruled line, and further exchanges information with the character ruled line connection determining unit 1309.

  Next, a processing flow when the old information processing print data is converted into Windows (registered trademark) data in which a ruled line is expressed by a ruled line command by the conversion software 23 of the server 25 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when the old-information processing print data is converted into Windows (registered trademark) data expressing a ruled line by a ruled line command by the conversion software 23 of the server 25.

  In the server 25, when the print data receiving unit 401 receives the old information print data from the host 10, the character code reading unit 402 of the conversion software 23 shows the character codes of the characters arranged in the old information print data as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.

  The character code reading unit 402 refers to the character ruled line attribute table 406 for the read character code, and determines whether the read character code is a character or a character ruled line.

  That is, since the character code of the character ruled line is stored in advance in the character ruled line attribute table 406, it is determined whether the read character code is a character or a character ruled line (step 1402).

  If it is determined that the character is a character (NO in step 1402), the character data of the character code read by the character data creation unit 403 is stored (step 1403).

  If the result of the determination in step 1402 is a character ruled line (YES in step 1402), the direction, line width, line type, start point, end point, etc. of the ruled line included in the character ruled line of the read character code are displayed as characters. The ruled line end point table 1307 is stored (step 1404).

  Then, the direction, line width, line type, and start point of the ruled line stored in the ruled line end point table 1307 are compared with the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309, and whether or not the ruled line is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309. (Step 1405).

  For example, when reading the old information print data shown in FIG. 8, if the character code of the character ruled line 804 located in the third row and first column is read (step 1401), the direction is vertical as shown in FIG. The line width is thin, the line type is line, the start point X coordinate is 0.4, the Y coordinate is 2.0, the end point X coordinate is 0.4, and the Y coordinate is 2.8 (step 1404). .

  FIG. 15 is a table showing an example of a character ruled line end point table.

  In step 1405, since the direction of the ruled line number 1 in the ruled line end point table shown in FIG. 15 is vertical, the coordinates obtained by subtracting the line spacing a = 0.2 from the Y coordinate of the starting point. The character ruled line connection determination unit 1306 checks whether or not a ruled line having an X coordinate of 0.4 and a Y coordinate of 1.8 as an end point exists in the ruled line information storage unit 1309.

  That is, the coordinates obtained from the starting point of the ruled line number 1 in the character ruled line end point table are 0.4 for the X coordinate and 1.8 for the Y coordinate. The ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309 shown in FIG. The end point of No. 2 is the same as the coordinates obtained from the starting point of the ruled line number 1 in the ruled line end point table, and the direction, line width, and line type are the ruled line number 1 in the ruled line end point table shown in FIG. Therefore, it is determined that the ruled line number 1 in the ruled line end point table is connected to the ruled line No. 2 registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309 (YES in step 1405), and the ruled line shown in FIG. The end point of the ruled line of ruled line No2 registered in the information storage unit 1309 is rewritten to 0.4 as the end point of the ruled line number 1 in the character ruled line end point table shown in FIG. 15 and the Y coordinate as 2.8. Step 1408).

  FIG. 16 is a table showing an example of contents registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309.

  If it is determined in step 1405 that the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309 is not connected (NO in step 1405), new ruled line information is registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309 (step 1406). If it is determined that it is connected to the ruled line registered in the information storage unit 1309 (YES in step 1405), the coordinates of the end point of the ruled line connected to the ruled line information storage unit 1309 are used as the end point of the ruled line recorded in the character ruled line end point table. (1408).

  In step 1406, new ruled line information is registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309, or after the coordinates of the end point of the ruled line information storage unit 1309 are rewritten in step 1408, they are registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309 in the character ruled line end point table. If there is a ruled line in the character ruled line for which it is not determined whether or not it is connected to the ruled line (determining whether to connect to the ruled line number 2 or 3 or 4 in the character ruled line shown in FIG. If not, there may be a maximum of four types of ruled lines in one character ruled line depending on the type of character ruled line.) (YES in step 1409), returning to step 1405, it is not determined whether or not they are connected. It is determined whether or not the ruled line is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309, and whether or not the ruled line is connected to the character ruled line end point table is determined. If there is no ruled line in the empty character ruled line (NO in step 1409) and all the character codes for one page of the old information print data have not been read (NO in step 1410), the character code reading unit 402 causes the character code reading unit 402 to As shown in FIG. 5, the next character code is read from left to right and in the order from the upper line to the lower line (step 1401).

  However, when there is no ruled line in the character ruled line for which it is not determined whether or not the character ruled line end point table is connected in step 1409 (NO in step 1409), and all the character codes for one page of the old information print data are read (YES in step 1410), the ruled line command creation unit 409 creates one ruled line command for drawing one ruled line from the contents registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309 (step 1411).

  Then, the character data stored in the character data creation unit 403 and the ruled line created by the ruled line command created by the ruled line command creation unit 409 are combined and drawn in the drawing unit 404, thereby rendering Windows (registered trademark) data. (Step 1412).

  In this manner, the conversion software 23 determines whether or not the ruled line in the read character ruled line is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit by comparing the coordinates of the ruled line, the direction, the line width, and the line type. Therefore, the types of ruled lines that can be converted by the conversion software 22 of the first embodiment are increased.

  For example, print data with a ruled line that has no ruled line attribute stored as the leading edge in the character ruled line attribute table 406 as a ruled line start point, or print data with a ruled line that has a ruled line attribute stored in the middle as a ruled line start point or end point Can be converted into print data expressing a ruled line by a ruled line command by the conversion software 23 of this embodiment.

  In the conversion software 23, attribute information regarding the shape of the ruled line other than the line width and line type is stored in advance in the character ruled line attribute table 406, the attribute information is stored in the ruled line end point table 1307, and the ruled line information storage unit 1309 stores the attribute information. The attribute information is registered, and it is determined whether or not the ruled line included in the character ruled line is connected to the ruled line registered in the ruled line information storage unit 1309. The ruled line coordinates, direction, line width, line type, and the attribute information are further determined. You may make it carry out by comparing.

  The present invention can be used in a server that prints print data in which ruled lines are expressed by character ruled lines.

  According to the present invention, print data in which ruled lines are represented by character ruled lines can be converted into print data in which ruled lines are represented by ruled line commands, and can be printed on the image forming apparatus.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of a printing system 100 to which a character ruled line processing method, apparatus, and program according to the present invention are applied. 4 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing flow of printing processing performed by the server 20. The block diagram shown about the structure of the principal part of the server. The block diagram which showed the functional block configuration in the server. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of print data showing a reading order in which a print data reading unit 402 reads character codes of characters arranged in old information processing print data one by one. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram or table showing an example of contents stored in a character ruled line attribute table 406. FIG. A table showing contents registered in the ruled line information storage unit 408. The schematic diagram shown about the coordinate of the starting point and an end point registered into the ruled line information storage part 408. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when old information processing print data is converted into Windows (registered trademark) data expressing a ruled line by a ruled line command by the conversion software 22 of the server 20. A table showing an example of contents stored in the character ruled line attribute table 406 of the character ruled line 804. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of a printing system 110 to which a character ruled line processing method, apparatus, and program according to the present invention are applied. The block diagram shown about the structure of the principal part of the server 25. FIG. The block diagram which showed the functional block structure in the server 25. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when old information processing print data is converted into Windows (registered trademark) data expressing a ruled line by a ruled line command by the conversion software 23 of the server 25. The table which shows an example of a character ruled line end point table. The table which shows an example of the content registered into the ruled line information storage part 1309.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Host 20 Server 21 Printer driver 22 Conversion software 23 Conversion software 25 Server 30 Image forming apparatus 40 Network 100 Printing system 110 Printing system 301 CPU
302 RAM
303 ROM
304 Network interface 307 Hard disk 308 Bus 310 ROM
500 paper 501 printable range 601 character ruled line 607 character ruled line 608 character ruled line 801 ruled line 802 start point 803 end point 804 character ruled line

Claims (9)

In a character ruled line processing method in which print data in which ruled lines are expressed by character ruled lines is printed by a printer,
The attribute determining means determines whether the attribute relating to the position information of the ruled line included in the character ruled line sequentially read from the print data is a start point, an intermediate point, or an end point,
When the attribute determining means determines that the attribute is the starting point, the ruled line information including the starting point of the read character ruled line corresponding to the ruled line number is registered by the registering means ,
When the attribute determined by the attribute determining unit is intermediate or end point, the determining unit determines which of the ruled lines indicated by the ruled line information registered in the registration unit is connected to the ruled line. ,
Based on the attribute discrimination result of the read character ruled line by the attribute discriminating unit , the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registering unit determined to be connected to the read character ruled line by the discriminating unit is extended as the end point. Extended by processing means ,
A ruled line command is created by the ruled line command creating unit based on the ruled line information whose end point is extended by the end point extension processing unit ,
A character ruled line processing method comprising: printing a ruled line represented by the character ruled line on the basis of the created ruled line command. Corresponding to the character ruled line, attribute information regarding the line width, line type, and shape of the character ruled line is stored in the character ruled line attribute table in advance.
The character ruled line processing method according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not there is a character ruled line connected to the ruled line indicated by the ruled line information with reference to the character ruled line attribute table. The direction detection means detects whether the direction of the ruled line of the read ruled line information is vertical or horizontal,
When extending the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registering unit determined to be connected to the character ruled line determined to be the end point by the attribute determining unit, the direction of the ruled line of the read character ruled line is vertical. If the direction is the direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by the end point extension processing means by a length obtained by adding half the length of the character frame to the length of the line interval, When the direction of the ruled line of the read character ruled line is the horizontal direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is the length obtained by adding the half length of the character frame to the length of the column interval. Extend by the end point extension processing means
The character ruled line processing method according to claim 1 or 2. The direction detection means detects whether the direction of the ruled line of the read ruled line information is vertical or horizontal,
When extending the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registering unit determined to be connected to the character ruled line determined to be intermediate by the attribute determining unit, the direction of the ruled line of the read character ruled line is vertical. If it is a direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by the end point extension processing means by a length obtained by adding the length of the character frame to the length of the line interval, and the read character ruled line When the direction of the ruled line is horizontal, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by the end point extension processing means by a length obtained by adding the length of the character frame to the length of the column interval.
The character ruled line processing method according to claim 1. In a character ruled line processing device that prints print data in which ruled lines are represented by character ruled lines with a printer,
Attribute determination means for determining whether the attribute relating to the position information of the ruled line included in the character ruled line sequentially read from the print data is a start point, an intermediate point, or an end point;
Registration means for registering ruled line information including the start point of the read character ruled line corresponding to the ruled line number when the attribute is determined to be the start point by the attribute determining means;
Discriminating means for discriminating which character ruled line of the ruled line indicated by the ruled line information registered in the registration means is connected to the character ruled line read when the attribute discriminated by the attribute discriminating means is an intermediate or end point When,
Based on the attribute discrimination result of the read character ruled line by the attribute discriminating unit, the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registration unit determined to be connected to the read character ruled line by the discrimination unit is extended. End point extension processing means;
Ruled line command creating means for creating a ruled line command based on the ruled line information whose end point has been extended by the end point extension processing means;
Comprising
A character ruled line processing apparatus that causes the printer to print ruled lines expressed by the character ruled lines based on the ruled line commands. A character ruled line attribute table for storing in advance attribute information related to the line width, line type, and shape of the character ruled line corresponding to the character ruled line
Further comprising
The discrimination means includes
It is determined whether there is a character ruled line connected to the ruled line indicated by the ruled line information with reference to the character ruled line attribute table
The character ruled line processing apparatus according to claim 5. Direction detecting means for detecting whether the direction of the ruled line of the read ruled line information is vertical or horizontal
Comprising
The end point extension processing means includes:
When extending the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registering unit determined to be connected to the character ruled line determined to be the end point by the attribute determining unit, the direction of the ruled line of the read character ruled line is vertical. If it is a direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by a length obtained by adding half the length of the character frame to the length of the line interval, and the ruled line of the read character ruled line If the direction is the horizontal direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by a length obtained by adding the length of the column interval to half the length of the character frame.
The character ruled line processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6. Direction detecting means for detecting whether the direction of the ruled line of the read ruled line information is vertical or horizontal
Comprising
The end point extension processing means includes:
When extending the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registering unit determined to be connected to the character ruled line determined to be intermediate by the attribute determining unit, the direction of the ruled line of the read character ruled line is vertical. If it is a direction, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by a length obtained by adding the length of the character frame to the length of the line interval, and the direction of the ruled line of the read character ruled line is the horizontal direction. If it is, the end point of the ruled line information determined to be connected is extended by a length obtained by adding the length of the character frame to the length of the column interval.
The character ruled line processing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7. In a character ruled line processing program for causing a computer to execute character ruled line processing that causes a printer to print print data in which ruled lines are represented by character ruled lines,
The computer,
Attribute determination means for determining whether the attribute relating to the position information of the ruled line included in the character ruled line sequentially read from the print data is a start point, an intermediate point, or an end point;
Registration means for registering ruled line information including the start point of the read character ruled line corresponding to the ruled line number when the attribute determined by the attribute determining means is the start point;
Discriminating means for discriminating which character ruled line of the ruled line indicated by the ruled line information registered in the registration means is connected to the character ruled line read when the attribute discriminated by the attribute discriminating means is an intermediate or end point ,
Based on the attribute discrimination result of the read character ruled line by the attribute discriminating unit, the end point of the ruled line information registered in the registration unit determined to be connected to the read character ruled line by the discrimination unit is extended. End point extension processing means,
Ruled line command creation means for creating a ruled line command based on the ruled line information whose end point is extended by the end point extension processing means
Character ruled line processing program to function as.

Images