JPH01272461A - Image memory device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the size of characters or graphics convertible to supply optimum image information conforming with output characteristics of a device, by providing a first memory means storing a character pattern, a means for directing the change of the size and resolving power of the character pattern, a converting means, and a second memory means storing the converted character pattern. CONSTITUTION:A character pattern generator 10 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a basic character information memory 12, an input device 13 directing the resolving power of output image information, an image-processed memory 14 storing the result of image-rpocessing time information read from the basic character information memory 12 according to the direction of the input device 13, a ROM 15 storing required processing procedures, and a RAM 16 serving as a working area of the CPU 11. According to the resolving power and character size, the CPU 11 previously converts the basic character information stored in the basic character information memory 12 to character data conforming with said resolving power and stores the same in the image- processed memory 14. The character pattern is read from the image-processed memory 14 and transferred to a printer 20 through an interface 17.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image storage device used by being connected to an image forming apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, document information consisting of character codes and control codes (commands) is converted into font patterns (character patterns),
Converted and quantized dot image information (image information)
Image forming apparatuses that display images on a display screen or print them out on paper are known.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, character pattern generators used in such conventional image forming apparatuses do not generate dot image information (
The resolution of image information (image information) and the number of dots per character were always fixed and could not be changed freely, so forming images by freely changing the size of characters and figures caused character patterns. This could not be done on the device side.

In addition, when an image storage device connected to an image forming device as described above is connected to an image forming device with different output characteristics such as resolution, the output image is changed according to the characteristics of the connected image forming device. Therefore, it was not easy to obtain output images in a similar state between image forming apparatuses with different characteristics via an image storage device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to be able to vary the resolution of output image information, or to perform processing for enlarging or reducing output image information in response to an instruction input, and to adapt to the characteristics of a connected image forming apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image storage device that can supply matching and optimal image information.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides basic size,
a first storage means storing a character pattern in resolution; an instruction means for instructing a change in the size and resolution of the character pattern;
It has a conversion means for converting the character pattern of the first storage means into resolution, and a second storage means for storing the character pattern converted by the conversion means, and the character pattern stored in the second storage means is It is characterized in that it outputs images using

(Function) With the above configuration, the present invention allows the size and resolution of output image information to be made variable according to the instruction information, so the size of characters and figures can be changed freely. At the same time, it is possible to supply optimal image information that matches the output characteristics of the connected image forming apparatus.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an outline of its appearance when in use. Here, 10 is a character pattern generation device as an image storage device, and 20 is a printing device as an image forming device that is detachably connected to the character pattern generation device 10.

The character pattern generating device 10 is composed of a cartridge type IC memory, etc., and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11 that controls the entire device and performs predetermined image processing, and a central processing unit 31 in FIG.
A basic character information memory 12 that stores basic character information as shown in , and an input device 1 that instructs the resolution of output image information.
3, an image-processed memory 14 for storing the results of image-processing the information read from the basic character information memory 12 in response to instructions from the human-powered device 13 as shown at 32 or 33 in FIG. 3, and necessary processing. It has a ROM (read only memory) 15 that stores procedures, a RAM (random access memory) 16 that is used as a work area for the CPU II, and an interface 17 that performs transmission control for connecting to an external image forming apparatus.

On the other hand, the printing device 20 includes a central processing unit (CPtl) 21 that controls the entire device and performs necessary image processing, an interface 22 that performs transmission control for connection to the character pattern generation device 10, and a control system that controls the printing start and other processes. An input device 23 for inputting operational information such as the number of prints, a ROM 24 that stores necessary control procedures, and a RAM that serves as a work area for the CPII 21.
25, a buffer memory 26 for storing document information input from the outside or document information input from the input device 23;
It has a printing section 27 that outputs information converted into character patterns by the character pattern generator W10.

Next, an example of the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

In the above configuration, the resolution of the output image, the size of the characters, etc. are set by the manual device 13 during initial settings prior to image formation.
Alternatively, it is set in either the printing device a20 through the interface I7. cp of character pattern generator lO
The uit converts the basic character information stored in the basic character information memory 12 (for example, see 31 in FIG. 3) according to the set resolution and character size into character data (for example, see 31 in FIG. (see 32.33) and stored in the image-processed memory 14.

Next, when a print request is issued to the printing device 20 and a character code is sent to the character pattern generation device 10,
The character pattern generating device 11 reads out a character pattern (dot pattern) corresponding to the input character code from the image-processed memory 14 and transfers it to the printing device 20 via the interface 17.

In this way, output recording or output display can be performed using a character pattern that matches the set resolution. 32 in FIG. 3 is an example of a case where the size designation is changed, and 33 in FIG. 3 is an example of a case where the resolution designation is changed. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to use the same character pattern generation device to print out requests for character patterns of the same size in printing devices with different resolutions, and it is possible to print images for each model of printers with different resolutions. There is no need to prepare a storage device.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the size and resolution of output image information can be made variable according to instruction information, so the size of characters and figures can be changed. It is possible to freely change the image forming apparatus, and it is possible to supply optimal image information that matches the output characteristics of the connected image forming apparatus.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an overview of the external appearance of the embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 3 shows an example of changes in output images of the embodiment of the invention. It is an explanatory diagram. 10...Character pattern generation device (image storage device), 1
1... CPU (conversion means), 12... Basic character information memory (first storage means), 1
3... Input device (instruction means), 14... Image processed memory (second storage means), 1
7.22...Interface, 27...Printing section. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] A first system that stores character patterns in basic size and resolution.
storage means; instruction means for instructing to change the size and resolution of the character pattern; and in response to the instruction from the instruction means, the character pattern in the first storage means is changed to the specified size and resolution. and a second storage means for storing the character pattern converted by the conversion means, and outputs an image using the character pattern stored in the second storage means. Characteristic image storage device.