JP4785601B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, in a printer device, when printing characters recorded in a scalable font, according to the character modification state specified by the page description language, the character modification state such as tilt / rotation, enlargement / reduction, and the designated value of the output resolution, A font rasterizer converts vector data of scalable fonts into raster data and generates a bitmap (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-263043

  However, in the conventional printer, the resolution is increased and, for example, printing is performed at a high resolution such as 1200 [dpi] and 2400 [dpi]. Therefore, PDL (Page Description Language: page description language) ) When the font sizer specified by the command is combined and the font rasterizer is requested to generate a bitmap as specified, the calculation accuracy of the font rasterizer reaches the upper limit, and a bitmap with a normal character shape is generated. You may not be able to.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and when the resolution of the image data in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction is larger than the predetermined resolution, the resolution in the scanning direction larger than the predetermined resolution is lowered to the predetermined resolution. The image data is printed by enlarging the characters along the scanning direction in which the resolution is lowered by the amount of the reduced resolution, so that the print quality is not greatly deteriorated and the bit map is generated. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of enlarging and printing characters without reducing the above.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the page description language transmitted from the host apparatus is analyzed and the text is drawn with the specified font to print the character, the resolution specified for the character to be printed is If the resolution is higher than the predetermined resolution, the bitmap is expanded with the predetermined resolution to generate bitmap data, and the generated bitmap data is enlarged according to the specified resolution, and the character is printed . .

  According to the present invention, when the resolution of the image data in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction is larger than the predetermined resolution, the image forming apparatus reduces the resolution in the scanning direction larger than the predetermined resolution to the predetermined resolution, and The data is printed by enlarging the characters along the scanning direction in which the resolution is lowered by the amount that the resolution is lowered. Therefore, it is possible to enlarge and print characters without significantly reducing the print quality and without reducing the speed of generating the bitmap.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

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

  In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a printer device as an image forming apparatus, which analyzes a print command in a page description language transmitted by a host device (not shown) such as a personal computer and prints with a designated font. The printer device 11 may be any type of printer device such as an ink jet type, an electrophotographic type, or a thermal transfer type.

  The printer device 11 includes a page description language analysis unit 12, a page description language text drawing unit 13, a character management unit 14, a character shape information storage unit 15, a font rasterizer 16, and a font data storage unit 17. Here, the page description language analysis unit 12 analyzes the page description language transmitted by the host device, and the page description language text drawing unit 13 selects the text drawing among the page description languages analyzed by the page description language analysis unit 12. In addition, the character management unit 14 handles characters specified by the page description language text drawing unit 13.

  Then, the page description language text drawing unit 13 converts the designated content such as the type, size, and shape modification of the character to be drawn into a set value for the font rasterizer 16, and the converted set value is stored in the character shape information storage unit 15. Store. The character shape information storage unit 15 stores and holds information necessary for generating characters such as font, character set, resolution, enlargement ratio, character size, rotation angle, character inclination, and outline thickening amount. .

  The character management unit 14 causes the font rasterizer 16 to generate a bitmap 18 when the font of the designated character is an outline font as a scalable font. Further, when the font of the designated character is a bitmap font, the character management unit 14 accesses the font data storage unit 17 to store the bitmap 18 corresponding to the character code of the designated character. Search for.

  Further, the font rasterizer 16 reads the outline information for one character corresponding to the character code designated from the font data storage unit 17, converts the character image data into the bitmap format, and converts the character bitmap into the bitmap. 18 is generated. Note that the font stored in the font data storage unit 17 is a bitmap font expressed in a bitmap format, or a scalable font in which character outlines are expressed by coordinate points as outline information.

  Here, the bitmap 18 is dot data expressing characters by ON / OFF of dots generated by the font rasterizer 16, and the figure shows an example in which the character is “A”. When 1 is stored in the conversion magnification 19 indicating how many times the bitmap raster generated by the font rasterizer 16 is to be printed, the bitmap 18 is used without being enlarged. However, if a numerical value greater than 1 is stored in the conversion magnification 19, it is necessary to enlarge the bitmap 18, so that the bitmap 18 is enlarged. In the figure, an example is shown in which 4 is stored in the conversion magnification 19 and the character “A” is enlarged four times.

  Further, the printer device 11 includes a page data generation unit 20 that converts the content to be drawn on a page such as characters and graphics into an intermediate language, and the page drawing content generated by the page data generation unit 20 as an intermediate language is dot-dotted. A developing unit 21 that develops data to generate a print image is provided.

  Next, the operation of the printer apparatus 11 having the above configuration will be described. Here, an outline correction operation for correcting the outline of a character will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a first diagram illustrating an example of character reduction generation and enlargement expansion of the printer device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating characters of the printer device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of reduction generation and enlargement development, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the printer device 11 receives print data in a page description language including text printing as image data from a host device. Then, the page description language analysis unit 12 starts the corresponding command processing. Of the command group included in the page description language, the contents of the command are notified to the page description language text drawing unit 13 for those related to text printing such as font, character inclination and thickness, and text size. The printer device 11 according to the present embodiment can analyze and print commands related to graphics drawing and images other than text in accordance with the page description language. However, graphics drawing and images other than text will be described. Omitted.

  Subsequently, the page description language text drawing unit 13 analyzes the page description language and accumulates designations relating to characters to be printed, such as typeface and character modification. In this case, the page description language text drawing unit 13 analyzes the page description language, converts the specification type of the character to be drawn, the size, and the shape modification into the setting value for the font rasterizer 16, and converts the converted setting value to It is stored in the character shape information storage unit 15.

  Subsequently, when receiving the print code, the page description language text drawing unit 13 requests the character management unit 14 for the bitmap 18 in the shape set in the character shape information storage unit 15.

  Then, the character management unit 14 uses the bitmap 18 generated by the font rasterizer 16 or the bitmap font stored in the font data storage unit 17 as an initial value of the conversion magnification 19 indicating that enlargement is necessary. 1 is set. That is, the conversion magnification 19 is initialized to 1.

  Subsequently, the character management unit 14 determines whether the selected font, that is, the designated font is a bitmap font or a scalable font. If the designated font is a bitmap font, the character management unit 14 detects the storage position of the bitmap 18 in the font data storage unit 17 from the designated font and the print code, and ends the process.

  When the designated font is a scalable font, the character management unit 14 causes the font rasterizer 16 to generate a character. However, if strict conditions that cannot be generated by the font rasterizer 16 are specified, characters may not be generated and printing may not be possible. Give priority to printing characters, and relax the conditions so that characters can be generated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, when 2400 [dpi] is specified as the resolution of the character shape information storage unit 15, the bitmap 18 created at 1200 [dpi] is doubled. To do. Also, for example, when 4800 [dpi] is designated as the resolution of the character shape information storage unit 15, the bitmap 18 created at 1200 [dpi] is enlarged four times.

  Thereby, although the smoothness of the outline is lost, it is possible to obtain a result that can be recognized as the same character as the shape. Therefore, the character management unit 14 determines whether the output resolution as the resolution of the character shape information storage unit 15 is 1201 [dpi] or more, or 1200 [dpi] or less.

  Here, when the output resolution is 1201 [dpi] or more, the character management unit 14 calculates the conversion magnification 19 and reversely calculates the enlargement magnification of the character shape information. Then, the generation of the bitmap 18 of 1200 [dpi] is set, the resolution designation of the character shape information storage unit 15 is set to 1200 [dpi], and the conversion magnification 19 is set to a magnification with respect to 1200 [dpi].

  Subsequently, the character management unit 14 causes the font rasterizer 16 to generate characters. Then, the font rasterizer 16 reads the outline information from the font data storage unit 17 under the conditions of the character shape information storage unit 15 and generates a bitmap 18. If an error occurs during the generation process, the font rasterizer 16 returns an error code indicating the error occurrence content to the character management unit 14.

  Subsequently, when the font rasterizer 16 returns an error code as abnormal termination, the character management unit 14 determines from the type of error code whether the error has occurred due to severe generation conditions. If the font data is an error that does not need to be retried, such as when the font data is abnormal, the generation result indicating abnormal termination is returned to the page description language text drawing unit 13 and the process is terminated. Even when the bitmap 18 can be generated normally, the top address of the bitmap data is returned to the page description language text drawing unit 13 and the processing is terminated. That is, the character management unit 14 determines the character generation result by the font rasterizer 16 and returns to the page description language text drawing unit 13 if there is no abnormality and the result is OK or an error other than the designated size abnormality. To finish the process.

  If the character generation result by the font rasterizer 16 is abnormal in the designated size, that is, an error that occurs due to severe generation conditions, the reset resolution is left as it is, and the character shape information storage unit 15 is the next. Focus on setting the enlargement ratio. In this case, the character management unit 14 determines whether an enlargement rate is designated. Originally, when the enlargement ratio setting is larger than 1, the font rasterizer 16 generates the bitmap 18 enlarged according to the designated magnification, but the font rasterizer 16 does not perform enlargement. Note that when the enlargement magnification is 1, the magnification is not changed.

  When the enlargement rate is designated, the character management unit 14 sets the enlargement rate setting value of the character shape information storage unit 15 to a half value as shown in FIG. Conversely, since it is necessary to enlarge twice the bitmap 18 with the enlargement ratio being 1/2, the value set in the conversion magnification 19 is doubled. That is, the enlargement ratio is halved and the conversion magnification is doubled.

  Subsequently, the character management unit 14 causes the font rasterizer 16 to generate characters. Then, the font rasterizer 16 generates the bitmap 18 again under the condition of the character shape information storage unit 15 in which the enlargement ratio setting value is changed.

  When the font rasterizer 16 returns an error code as a generation result, the character management unit 14 determines from the error code type whether the error has occurred due to severe generation conditions. When the bitmap 18 can be normally generated, the start address of the bitmap data is returned to the page description language text drawing unit 13. That is, the character management unit 14 determines the result of character generation by the font rasterizer 16 and returns to the page description language text drawing unit 13 if there is no abnormality and the result is OK.

  Also, if the character generation result by the font rasterizer 16 is abnormal in the specified size, that is, an error that occurs due to severe generation conditions, the reset resolution and the reset magnification ratio remain unchanged, Focus on the character size in the character shape information storage unit 15. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2D, the character management unit 14 sets the character size setting value of the character shape information storage unit 15 to a half value. Conversely, since it is necessary to double the bitmap 18 with the character size halved, the value set in the conversion magnification 19 is doubled. That is, the character size is halved and the conversion magnification 19 is doubled.

  Subsequently, the character management unit 14 causes the font rasterizer 16 to generate characters. Then, the font rasterizer 16 generates the bitmap 18 again under the conditions of the character shape information storage unit 15 whose character size has been changed.

  Then, the character management unit 14 determines the character generation result by the font rasterizer 16, and if there is no abnormality and is OK, that is, if the bitmap 18 can be generated normally, the top of the bitmap data The address is returned to the page description language text drawing unit 13. Also, if the character generation result by the font rasterizer 16 is abnormal in the designated size, that is, if the bitmap 18 cannot be generated even if the above three items are changed, the page description is given up. The abnormal termination is returned to the language text drawing unit 13 and the process is terminated.

  Subsequently, the page description language text drawing unit 13 notifies the page data generation unit 20 of the start address of the bitmap data, the conversion magnification 19, and the arrangement of the bitmap 18. Then, the page data generation unit 20 replaces the conversion magnification 19 and the bitmap 18 with an intermediate language paired. That is, the arrangement of the bitmap 18 and the enlargement magnification are converted into an intermediate language.

  Then, when recognizing the page discharge command, the page description language analysis unit 12 notifies the page data generation unit 20 of the end of analysis for one page. Then, the page data generation unit 20 notifies the development unit 21 of the start of image data creation.

  Subsequently, the developing unit 21 analyzes the intermediate language and creates a print image. When the bitmap 18 is expanded, it is enlarged in the vertical and horizontal directions according to the enlargement ratio. Note that enlarging the bitmap 18 in the vertical and horizontal directions is a conventional technique, and thus description thereof is omitted.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: Receive print data in a page description language including text printing.
Step S2 Analyzes the page description language and stores designations relating to characters to be printed, such as typeface and character modification.
Step S3: The print code is received.
Step S4: The conversion magnification 19 is initialized to 1.
Step S5: It is determined whether the selected font is a bitmap font or a scalable font. If the selected font is a bitmap font, the process ends. If the selected font is a scalable font, the process proceeds to step S6.
Step S6: It is determined whether the output resolution is 1201 [dpi] or more, or 1200 [dpi] or less. If the output resolution is 1201 [dpi] or more, the process proceeds to step S7, and if the output resolution is 1200 [dpi] or less, the process proceeds to step S8.
Step S7: The conversion magnification 19 is calculated, and the enlargement magnification of the character shape information is calculated backward.
Step S8: The character is generated by the font rasterizer 16.
Step S9: It is determined whether the character generation result is OK or other error, or the specified size is abnormal. If the character generation result is OK or other error, the process is terminated, and if the character generation result is a specified size error, the process proceeds to step S10.
Step S10: It is determined whether an enlargement ratio is designated. If the enlargement ratio is specified, the process proceeds to step S11. If the enlargement ratio is not specified, the process proceeds to step S14.
Step S11: The enlargement ratio is halved, and the conversion magnification 19 is doubled.
Step S12: The character is generated by the font rasterizer 16.
Step S13: It is determined whether the character generation result is OK or the specified size is abnormal. If the character generation result is OK, the process proceeds to step S16, and if the character generation result indicates that the specified size is abnormal, the process proceeds to step S14.
Step S14: The character size is halved and the conversion magnification 19 is doubled.
Step S15: The character is generated by the font rasterizer 16.
Step S16: It is determined whether the character generation result is OK or the specified size is abnormal. If the character generation result is OK, the process proceeds to step S17, and if the character generation result indicates that the specified size is abnormal, the process ends.
Step S17: The arrangement and enlargement magnification of the bitmap 18 are converted into an intermediate language, and the process ends.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the resolution in the main scanning direction (X direction) or sub-scanning direction (Y direction) of the image data transmitted from the host device is larger than a predetermined value (for example, 1200 [dpi]). In this case, the resolution in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction that is larger than the predetermined value is reduced to the predetermined value, and the image data is enlarged by the reduction in the resolution along the scanning direction of the reduced resolution. Is printed. For this reason, it is possible to enlarge and print characters without significantly reducing the print quality and without reducing the speed at which the bitmap 18 is generated.

  Further, if the bitmap 18 cannot be generated as a result of font generation under the specified conditions, first the resolution is lowered, then the enlargement specified magnification is lowered, and the character size is lowered. Adjust the generation size step by step. That is, when the bitmap 18 cannot be generated, the resolution, enlargement ratio, and character size are reduced stepwise, and the print is enlarged by the reduction of the resolution, enlargement ratio, and character size. As a result, the bit map 18 can be generated and character printing can be performed without reducing the print quality as much as possible.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment is also omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the printer device 11 stores the setting value of the character shape information before and after the conversion and the enlargement magnification value after the conversion when the conversion of the character generation format in the first embodiment occurs. It further has a storage area 22. Since the configuration of other points is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the printer apparatus 11 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the printer apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the printer apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that after the printer device 11 receives print data in a page description language including text printing from the host device, the character management unit 14 determines whether the designated font is a bitmap font or a scalable font. Since the operations up to are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  When the bitmap is generated from the scalable font, that is, when the designated font is the scalable font, the character management unit 14 has previously operated the font rasterizer 16 by setting the character shape information storage unit 15. In order to determine whether or not there is no change, the setting value before change stored in the conversion storage area 22 is searched. That is, the conversion storage area 22 is searched for whether it has been generated with the same setting, and the presence or absence of the same setting is determined.

  If the setting is not present, that is, if the setting value of the character shape information storage unit 15 does not exist in the conversion storage area 22, the character has not been generated with the setting value before, or the setting value is The character management unit 14 causes the font rasterizer 16 to generate characters because either the bitmap 18 has been successfully generated without conversion.

  Further, when there is the same setting, that is, when the setting value of the character shape information storage unit 15 exists in the conversion storage area 22, as a result of previously generating a character with the setting value, the first embodiment is It shows that there is a track record of performing the described magnification conversion. Therefore, the character management unit 14 overwrites the character shape information storage unit 15 and the conversion magnification 19 with the post-conversion setting value extracted by searching the conversion storage area 22 and causes the font rasterizer 16 to generate the bitmap 18. That is, the setting is taken out from the conversion storage area 22, and the character shape information storage unit 15 and the enlargement magnification are overwritten. Then, the font rasterizer 16 generates characters.

  Next, after the character management unit 14 determines whether the output resolution as the resolution of the character shape information storage unit 15 is 1201 [dpi] or more, or 1200 [dpi] or less, the character size is set. Since the operation until the character is generated by the font rasterizer 16 by adding 1/2 the conversion magnification 19 and generating the character by the font rasterizer 16 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. That is, since the operation when the generation size change occurs is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Then, after causing the font rasterizer 16 to generate a character, the character management unit 14 searches the conversion storage area 22 for the generation of the same setting. That is, it is searched from the setting value before change stored in the conversion storage area 22 whether the font rasterizer 16 has been operated before by the setting of the character shape information storage unit 15. If the conversion storage area 22 is not applicable, the necessary items in the character shape information storage unit 15 and the conversion magnification 19 are added to the conversion storage area 22 as new setting values. That is, the setting value and the enlargement magnification of the character shape information are stored in the conversion storage area 22. If the conversion storage area 22 is not applicable, the bitmap 18 can be generated according to the designated value, and therefore it is not necessary to store the character shape information setting value and the enlargement magnification in the conversion storage area 22. . Since subsequent operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S21: Print data in a page description language including text printing is received.
Step S22: The page description language is analyzed, and designations relating to characters to be printed such as typeface and character modification are accumulated.
Step S23: The print code is received.
Step S24: The conversion magnification 19 is initialized to 1.
Step S25: Determine whether the selected font is a bitmap font or a scalable font. If the selected font is a bitmap font, the process ends. If the selected font is a scalable font, the process proceeds to step S26.
Step S26: The conversion storage area 22 is searched for whether it has been generated with the same setting.
Step S27: It is determined whether it has been generated with the same setting. If it has been generated with the same setting, the process proceeds to step S28, and if it has not been generated with the same setting, the process proceeds to step S29.
Step S28: The setting is extracted from the conversion storage area 22, and the character shape information and the enlargement magnification are overwritten.
Step S29: It is determined whether the output resolution is 1201 [dpi] or more, or 1200 [dpi] or less. If the output resolution is 1201 [dpi] or more, the process proceeds to step S30, and if the output resolution is 1200 [dpi] or less, the process proceeds to step S31.
Step S30: The conversion magnification 19 is calculated, and the enlargement magnification of the character shape information is calculated backward.
Step S31: The character is generated by the font rasterizer 16.
Step S32: It is determined whether the character generation result is OK or other error, or the specified size is abnormal. If the character generation result is OK or other error, the process is terminated, and if the character generation result is a specified size error, the process proceeds to step S33.
Step S33: It is determined whether an enlargement ratio is designated. When the enlargement ratio is designated, the process proceeds to step S34, and when the enlargement ratio is not designated, the process proceeds to step S37.
Step S34: The enlargement ratio is halved and the conversion magnification 19 is doubled.
Step S35: The character is generated by the font rasterizer 16.
Step S36: It is determined whether the character generation result is OK or the specified size is abnormal. If the character generation result is OK, the process proceeds to step S39. If the character generation result indicates that the designated size is abnormal, the process proceeds to step S37.
Step S37: The character size is halved and the conversion magnification 19 is doubled.
Step S38: The character is generated by the font rasterizer 16.
Step S39: It is determined whether or not there is a set value corresponding to the conversion storage area 22. If there is a setting value corresponding to the conversion storage area 22, the process proceeds to step S41. If there is no setting value corresponding to the conversion storage area 22, the process proceeds to step S40.
Step S40: The set value of character shape information and the enlargement magnification are stored in the conversion storage area 22.
Step S41: It is determined whether the character generation result is OK or the specified size is abnormal. If the character generation result is OK, the process proceeds to step S42, and if the character generation result indicates that the designated size is abnormal, the process ends.
Step S42: The arrangement and enlargement magnification of the bitmap 18 are converted into an intermediate language, and the process ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the previously scaled setting is stored in the conversion storage area 22, and when the same set value is specified, the bitmap 18 is generated with the scale converted setting from the beginning. It is supposed to be. That is, when setting conditions that cannot generate the bitmap 18 are stored and character generation is performed again under the same setting conditions, the print is enlarged by an amount corresponding to the stored setting conditions. Therefore, a decrease in printing speed can be prevented.

  In the first embodiment, since character conversion magnification conversion is performed step by step in order to obtain the best possible quality, rewriting is performed for each character, resulting in a decrease in printing speed. However, in general text printing, since the text is written with the font and character modification fixed, if the setting values in the character shape information storage unit 15 are the same, even different characters cannot be generated in the same way. Probability is high. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the previously converted setting is stored in the conversion storage area 22, and when the same set value is specified, the bitmap is set with the converted magnification from the beginning. By generating 18, a decrease in printing speed is prevented.

  The first and second embodiments can be applied to a printer device that receives a character drawing command from a host device in a page description language and generates a print image therein.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a first diagram illustrating an example of character reduction generation and enlargement expansion of the printer device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating an example of character reduction generation and enlargement development of the printer device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printer apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows operation | movement of the printer apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows operation | movement of the printer apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Printer 18 Bitmap

Claims (3)

When the page description language transmitted from the host device is analyzed, text is drawn with a specified font and characters are printed, if the resolution specified for the characters to be printed is equal to or higher than the predetermined resolution, An image forming apparatus that generates bitmap data by developing a bitmap of a font at a resolution, enlarges the generated bitmap data in accordance with a designated resolution, and prints characters . In the process of generating the bitmap data, if an error occurs due to severe bitmap data generation conditions, the page description language is analyzed and the specified enlargement ratio and character size are stored for the characters to be printed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bit map data is generated again in a stepwise manner. The information stored when the bitmap data is generated is stored, and when the text is drawn with the designated font to print the character, the stored information is searched for generating the bitmap data. The image forming apparatus according to 2.

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