JPH02234288A - Output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form a character pattern desired with a user without the restriction of an upper limit of the character pattern formation caused by the basic configuration of an unexpanded device by forming the best character pattern at such a time point conforming to a memory configuration when the device is used. CONSTITUTION:According to a memory environment discriminating command 4c received from a CPU 4, a memory environment discriminator 13 discriminates the memory configuration of the device at the time of the reception, and generates a state at such a time as memory environmental information 13a. A character pattern formation controller 6, which has received the memory environmental information 13a, calculates the memory environmental information 13a, and instructs a character pattern forming device 5 to issue a character pattern preparation control command 6a so as to attain the best character pattern formation processing in the memory environment. Thus the character pattern desired with the user can be formed without the restriction of the upper limit of the character pattern formation caused by the basic configuration of the unexpanded device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an output device that creates a font pattern for characters and symbols, and outputs this pattern. [Prior Art] Conventionally, there has been an output device that creates a font pattern of character symbols, etc. (hereinafter referred to as a character pattern for simplicity) in a specified format according to instructions received from a host computer, etc., and outputs it. It has been known. For example, in a device such as a laser beam printer, a character pattern of a specified size and shape is formed inside the device, and the pattern is printed as dots on paper and output. Examples of formats that can be specified include, for example, as shown in 41 in Figure 4, the size of the character pattern can be freely specified from a very small one of several millimeters to the full size of a piece of paper. There are many types of printing methods, such as those that are printed using the same method as shown in 42 in the figure, or those that create and print various character patterns such as processing the shape of the original character pattern and emphasizing the outline of the character. This type of processing has been put into practical use. In contrast to the current inefficient process of having to individually prepare each character pattern according to the format each time the size or design of the character pattern changes, these functions It became possible to easily create character patterns of a wide variety of sizes and designs from the original pattern data, resulting in a significant improvement. This original pattern data is typically a font called an outline font, in which the outline of a character is represented by a sequence of coordinate points.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in order to create character patterns of various sizes and designs from this single source pattern data, processing for creating the character pattern data is required. This processing requires a large amount of storage area, that is, memory. Conversely, the process of creating these character patterns is limited by the size and processing method of the pattern depending on the memory configuration of the output device being used, which naturally determines the ability of that device to create character patterns. . ．． ...On the other hand, it is possible to expand the performance of the basic configuration of these output devices by newly expanding the device itself or by connecting various expansion devices separately from the device. For example, it has been possible to expand the memory environment that can be used by the device by installing an expansion memory board, and to create a correspondingly large number of character patterns. However, although the number of characters that can be created with such conventional output devices has been expanded in this way, the format of the character patterns that can be created is not actually achievable depending on the basic memory configuration of the device itself. Character pattern creation processing is limited, and restrictions on pattern creation processing are programmed from the beginning, so even if the memory configuration of the device is expanded, it will still be based on the basic memory configuration before expansion. Only limited treatments could be carried out.

For example, creating a large character pattern requires that much memory. Furthermore, if you want to process a complicated pattern, you will still need that much memory.

Therefore, the size of character patterns that can actually be created and the types of processing are limited depending on the basic memory configuration of the device. Therefore, even in the program that creates this character pattern, restrictions are placed on the size, processing method, etc.

Later on, for example, "extended memory" or "external storage device"
Even if you expand the memory by using such methods, the program itself is already limited based on the basic memory configuration, so the same processing as before the expansion will continue even though sufficient memory has been secured. I can only do so.

On the other hand, if this program is not limited, there may unexpectedly be a shortage of memory necessary for character pattern creation processing, in which case correct output will not be produced.

FIG. 5 illustrates this with an example. Reference numeral 51 in the figure represents a created character pattern, and the size of the pattern is freely changed and printed according to the instruction of the character pattern creation format from the host computer. However, as shown at 52 in the figure, the size of the character pattern that can be created is limited depending on the memory environment at that time, and even if you specify a larger character pattern, the character pattern of the desired size will not be obtained. I can't do anything.

Further, 53 in the figure shows the same data printed with the expansion memory holder of this device installed. By installing this expansion memory board, the memory capacity of the device increased. In theory, the upper limit size of character patterns that can be created due to this increase in memory is that it is possible to create larger ones. Since no means has been taken to determine whether the memory has been expanded, the same character pattern creation process as before the memory expansion is performed. Therefore, even after memory expansion, printing is still limited to the size as shown in 54.

As described above, conventional output devices have the problem that character pattern creation processing is limited by the basic memory configuration of the device, and cannot be improved even by expanding the memory.

The present invention can identify the configuration or expansion status of the memory of the device being used, and adjust format restrictions for creating font patterns such as character symbols according to the memory status at that time. The purpose is to realize the best possible font pattern creation process.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above problems includes an output device that creates a dot font pattern based on original pattern data representing character symbols, etc., and outputs this pattern in dots. means for checking the memory environment necessary for creating or storing the dot font pattern; means for determining the format of the dot font pattern that can be created according to the checked memory environment state; The present invention is characterized by having means for changing the creation of a dot font pattern to a specified format in an optimal manner according to the specified format.

[Operation] According to the present invention, the configuration and expansion status of the memory of the device to be used can be identified by the checking means, and format restrictions in font pattern creation are adjusted according to the memory status at that time. It is possible to realize the best character pattern creation process possible at that time.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a page printer device that is an embodiment of the present invention. Here, l is a host computer, which generates data such as letters, numbers, and symbols (hereinafter simply referred to as character data) and various control commands, as well as characters that specify the size and design of character patterns used for printing. A pattern creation format designation command is generated and input to the character generation control section 2, which constitutes the main part of the output device according to this example.

In the character generation control unit 2, a buffer 3 temporarily stores character data input from the host computer 1, various control data, character pattern creation format designation commands, and the like. 4 is a CPU composed of, for example, a general-purpose microphone processor, which analyzes the input data stored in the input buffer 3 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 4-1 that corresponds to the processing procedure described later with reference to FIG. , perform the corresponding processing. This CPU 4 generates a character code 4a when the input data is character data. When a character pattern creation format designation command is input, a character pattern creation format designation command 4b is generated.

Also, for example, when the output device of this example is activated or when a character pattern creation format designation command is input, a memory environment determination command 4C is generated to check the memory environment that can be used by the device. do.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a character pattern generator, which generates a corresponding dot character pattern 5a based on the original pattern data stored in 5C, in accordance with the character code 4a received from the CPU 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a character pattern creation controller according to this example, which controls the character pattern to determine what size or design the character pattern is to be created in accordance with the character pattern creation format instruction command 4b received from the CPU 4. An instruction is given to the character pattern generator 5 as a creation control command 6a. The character pattern generator 5 creates a character pattern of the size or design specified by the character pattern creation control command 6a.

An output page buffer 7 temporarily stores the character pattern 5a received from the character pattern generator 5. The stored dot image 7a is then sent to the printer interface unit 8. The printer interface section 8 sends a video signal 8a corresponding to the dot image stored in the output page buffer 7 to a recording section 9, which is constituted by, for example, a laser beam printer.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a built-in basic memory built into the main body, and the character generation control section 2 normally performs various processes using the storage area of this basic memory. Reference numeral 1l is an expansion memory that can be added to the built-in basic memory, and is not included in the original device configuration of the character generation control section 2, but can be newly installed to expand the character generation control section 2. 12 is an external storage device such as hardware, and although it is not directly incorporated into the character generation control section 2, it is a storage device that can be used as part of the memory configuration.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a memory environment discriminator according to the present example, which discriminates the memory configuration of the device at that time in accordance with a memory environment discriminator command 4C received from the CPU 4. For example, it is determined how much usable memory remains in the built-in basic memory 10 and how much memory is available in the extended memory 11 and external storage device 12, and the situation is generated as memory environment information 13a. This memory environment information 13
a is received by the character pattern creation controller 6. The character pattern creation controller 6 calculates from this memory environment information and determines the maximum size of character patterns that can be created, what types of designs cannot be created, or
It is determined which creation method should be used to achieve the best character pattern creation processing in the memory environment, and a character pattern creation control command 6a is given to the character pattern creation device 5 accordingly.

Figure 2 shows one aspect of character pattern creation according to this example.
In the figure, reference numeral 21 indicates a created character pattern, and the size of the pattern is freely changed and printed according to instructions from the host computer 1. However, as shown in 22 in the figure, the size of the character pattern that can be created is limited by the memory environment at that time, and no change will occur even if a larger character pattern is specified. Therefore, 23 in the figure shows a device in which an expansion memory board is attached to this device and similar data is printed. The memory capacity of the device was increased by installing an expansion memory board. This expansion is determined by the memo environment discriminator 13 according to this example, and the increase in memory is notified to the character pattern creation controller 6 also according to this example. The character pattern creation controller 6 determines that the upper limit size of character patterns that can be created due to this increase in memory has become larger. As a result, character patterns of a size that could not be created before memory expansion can be printed, such as 24.

Further, in the above explanation, the size of the character pattern has been described as an example, but the same applies to other aspects such as the design of the character pattern and the method of creating it. For example, when modifying characters as shown in Figure 4, if you want to add the white shadow shown in the middle of the figure, first convert the original pattern data to a dot pattern and store it, then dot the dots. The amount of memory used varies depending on the design, in which processing is performed such as dot-shifting the pattern onto another area, ORing it with the original pattern, and then taking an AND with the original Bakun. It is.

According to this example, the best character pattern creation processing at that time is performed according to the memory configuration of the device, so the upper limit of character pattern creation that comes from the basic configuration of the device when no expansion is performed is performed. The user can create the desired character pattern without being restricted.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the procedure of character pattern creation processing according to the above embodiment.

When printing starts, the host computer 1 transmits a data code, and the CPU 3 reads this input data one unit at a time (step Sl). Then, it is determined whether the input data is character data (step S2
). In the case of character data, create a character pattern according to the character pattern format specified at that time (
Step S3). Then, the character pattern is printed (step S4). If the manually entered data is not character data, it is determined whether the data is a command specifying a character pattern creation format (step S5).
. If not, perform other printing/control processing (
Step S6). If it is a command to specify the creation format,
The memory environment discriminator l3 according to this example discriminates the memory environment at that time (step S7). Based on this determination, the character pattern creation controller 6, which also relates to this example, determines whether the specified character pattern creation format is executable (step S8). If it is executable, the specified character pattern creation format is stored for use in subsequent character pattern creation processing (step S9). This stored creation format will be used when creating the character pattern described above (step S3). If it is not executable, calculate a character pattern creation format that is realizable in the current memory environment and is close to the specified creation format, and modify it to that creation format (step SI
O), this modified creation format is also (step S
9) is stored for future use. That is, in this example,
Unlike conventional devices, the character pattern creation process is not hindered by constant creation format restrictions; instead, it determines the memory environment at the time and realizes the optimal character pattern creation process at that time. ．． With the above processing, when an operator creates and outputs a character pattern, he or she is not constrained by the upper limit of character pattern creation that comes from the basic configuration of the device without any expansion, and the operator is able to create and output character patterns at the time of use of the device. It is possible to create the character pattern desired by the user by performing the best character pattern creation process at that time according to the memory configuration. The present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from its spirit. For example, the present invention can be applied to the creation of various character patterns, such as emphasizing the outline of characters. Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a page printer has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to printers of other types or C
Of course, it can be easily applied to output devices such as RT. For example, if the output device of the present invention is a color C.
When applied to RT, it can also be applied to display characters, etc. in monochrome or in color, depending on the memory environment. [Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, when performing an operation to create and output a dot font pattern according to a specified creation format, the data at that time is The best character pattern creation process can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to create character patterns desired by the user without being constrained by the upper limit of character pattern creation resulting from the basic configuration of the device without any expansion.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a page printer device as an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing improved character pattern processing according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the same embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a character pattern created by a character pattern creation process; FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional character pattern creation process. ．． In the figure, l...Host computer, 2...Character generation 3...Input buffer, 4...CPU, 5...Character pattern creator, 6...Character pattern creation controller, 7
... Output page buffer, 8... Printer interface 1, 9... Recording section, 10... Built-in basic memory, 11... Expansion memory, l2... External storage device,
13...Memory environment discriminator.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) Means for creating a dot font pattern based on original pattern data representing character symbols, etc., and checking the memory environment necessary for creating or storing the dot font pattern in an output device that outputs this pattern in dots. and means for determining the format of a dot font pattern that can be created according to the checked memory environment state, and creating a dot font pattern in the specified format in an optimal manner according to the determination. An output device characterized by having a means for changing. (2) The output device according to claim 1, wherein the memory environment is an amount of memory necessary for converting original pattern data into dots and creating or storing a dot font pattern. (3) The output device according to claim 1, wherein the checking means checks an additional amount of memory. (4) The output device according to claim 1, wherein the format of the dot font pattern is a font size. (5) The output device according to claim 1, wherein the format of the dot font pattern is a font design.