JPH02241267A - Picture information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the using efficiency of a cache memory, and simultaneously, to improve developing processing speed to bit pattern data by storing the developed pattern of an outline font, a registered graphic, a registered image and an external character registration area collectively in the same work memory. CONSTITUTION:A cache memory control part 105 control collectively various kinds of data which are graphic data, image data, external character data or the outline font developed on a bit map. The cache memory 106 is constituted of a high speed RAM, and stores various kinds of the image data or the bit pattern data, etc. An output information developing part 107 executes processing to develop and store the picture data of one page portion, for instance into an output data storage part 108 based on the data stored in the cache memory 106 in conformity to a printing instruction from a host computer, etc. The output data storage part 108 stores the bit pattern data developed by the output information developing part 107 so as to correspond to an output image.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image information processing device, and particularly to an image information processing device that inputs document information, image information, etc., develops the information into a bitmap, and outputs it. It is something.

[Prior Art] Printers, word processors, and the like store pattern data such as characters and symbols in outline fonts, and develop the print code into a pattern based on the print code received from a host computer for printing or display. Are known. Generally, it takes a lot of time to develop such outline font information into a bitmap pattern, so first, the outline font information that has been developed into a bit pattern is stored in a high-speed RAM called cache memory, and then When the same character is to be developed in the same size, the pattern stored in the cache memory is read out and used, thereby reducing the time required for pattern development.

Also, when figures, images, or custom fonts are input, they are expanded as they are to the image memory for output, and the manually drawn figures are registered in memory so that these image information can be used again. be able to. And when reusing this graphic information,
By entering the shape name, index, etc.
These image data are developed into an image memory for output and output.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional device as described above, when storing data such as figures, images, external character fonts, logos, etc., this word processor has a cache memory for outline fonts, Various work memories such as registration memory, image registration memory, external character font work memory, and logo registration work memory are provided independently, so if any of the work memories becomes full, the There was a possibility that data could not be output.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and improves cache memory usage efficiency by storing outline font expansion patterns, registered figures, registered images, and external character registration areas in the same work memory. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image information processing device that improves processing speed for processing bit pattern data.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, an image information processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the image information processing device is capable of registering a plurality of image data and manually inputting corresponding code information to read and output the corresponding image data,
storage means for storing a plurality of independent image data of different categories; area storage means for storing a free area and a used area of the storage means; and a search for searching the image data for each of the categories. A search information storage means storing information, and reading image data by referring to the area storage means based on the search information, and when registering image data in the storage means, the area storage means. and control means for controlling to refer to and detect free space.

[Operation] In the above configuration, a plurality of independent image data of different categories are stored in the storage means, and a free area and a used area of the storage means are respectively stored in the area storage means. The search information storage means stores search information for searching image data for each category. Based on the search information, the image data is read out by referring to the area storage means, and when image data is registered in the storage means, the area storage means is referred to to detect an empty area.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Description of Printer (FIGS. 1 to 4)] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a printer according to an embodiment.

In the figure, 101 is an outline font management unit for reading outline font information from an outline font memory and developing it into a bitmap font based on input code information. A graphic data management unit 102 performs processing for developing and registering input graphic data. An image data management unit 103 executes processing for developing and registering image data input from, for example, an image scanner or a host computer. Reference numeral 104 denotes a private character font management unit, which performs processing such as developing and registering pattern data such as manually created private character fonts and logos. 105
is a cache memory management unit that collectively manages various data such as the aforementioned graphic data, image data, external character data, and outline fonts developed into bitmaps.

A cache memory 106 is composed of a high-speed RAM and stores the various types of image data and bit pattern data described above. 107 is an output information expansion section;
In response to a print instruction from a post computer or the like, the data storage unit 108 outputs, for example, one page of image data based on the data stored in the cache memory 106.
The process is to expand and store the file. Reference numeral 108 denotes an output data storage unit which stores bit pattern data expanded by the output information expansion unit 107 corresponding to the output image. Reference numeral 109 denotes an output unit that actually performs recording on recording paper, which is a recording medium, using a laser beam, thermal transfer, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the cache memory 106 of the printer according to the embodiment.

In the figure, 202 indicates a logo pattern managed by the private character font management unit 104. Reference numeral 203 indicates font data developed into a bit image from an outline font managed by the outline font management unit 101. Reference numeral 205 indicates an example of graphic data, which is managed by the graphic data management unit 102. 206 indicates an example of image data, and the image data management unit 103
This is the data processed by. All of these image data are registered in the cache memory 106 under the control of the output information expansion section 107.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the printer 300 and the connection to the host computer 301 according to the embodiment.

301 is a host computer, which is the printer 30 of the embodiment;
A character code, graphic data, image data, etc. are output to the printer 300, and a print instruction is output to the printer 300. 30
Reference numeral 2 denotes a control unit of the printer whose details are shown in FIG. 4, and 303 denotes a printing mechanism unit that performs recording processing.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control section 302 of the printer 300 according to the embodiment.

401 is a CPU, program memory (ROM) 402
The controller 302 controls the entire controller 302 according to control programs and various data stored in the controller, and executes functions such as the output information expander 107 shown in FIG. An outline font memory (ROM) 403 stores outline fonts for various characters and symbols in correspondence with their codes. 404 is work memory (RAM),
It includes a table 411 to be described later, and the CPU 4
Temporarily stores various data during operation of 01.

An interface 405 connects the host computer 301 and the control unit 302 of the printer 300 of the embodiment
I/F) circuit. Reference numeral 406 denotes the cache memory described above, which temporarily stores bitmap data, graphic data, image data, etc. developed into bit patterns from the array 1 to linear font memories 403. This memory usually consists of high speed RAM. 407
is an image memory that stores bitmap data expanded into bit patterns, and stores an image corresponding to one page of image data to be printed or displayed. This image memory 407 corresponds to the output data storage section 108 in FIG.

408 is an output interface (I/F) circuit that inputs and outputs signals between the control unit 302 and the printing mechanism unit 303. An image signal generator 409 generates an image signal for printing in accordance with the bit pattern data of the image memory 407.
Printing mechanism section 3 via output interface circuit 408
It is output on 03. 410 is each memory and CPU 401
and an internal bus that connects each circuit.

[Description of conventional expansion processing (FIGS. 5 and 6)] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing conventional general pattern expansion and registration processing.

In FIG. 5, 505 to 508 are management tables for managing corresponding graphic data.

Reference numeral 501 is a font cache memory for storing pattern data developed into a pattern from an outline font. 502 is a work memory for registered graphic data, which is managed by a management table 506. 50
3 is a work memory for registering image data,
504 is a work memory in which external character fonts, logo patterns, etc. are registered.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the bit pattern data shown in FIG. 5, developed into a bitmap corresponding to the input character code, is stored in the font cache memory 501.

In the figure, 602 to 606 are cache memories 501
This shows the font data developed into a bitmap pattern from the outline font stored in the font.

505 is a management table for outline fonts; for example, 611 stores character information such as the character code, character size (number of points), and character font of the font data 602, and the characters are expanded into bit patterns and stored. It memorizes the address and memory size (capacity) of the memory. Similarly, each of 612 and 613 corresponds to font data 603 and 604.

Therefore, when this character code is input, it is determined whether or not the corresponding font data exists in this cache memory 501 by referring to this management table 505.
If the font data exists, the corresponding font data is read from the cache memory 501 and expanded into the output memory as a bitmap.

[Description of Operation of Embodiment (FIGS. 7 to 10)] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the contents of the cache memory 406 and the corresponding management table 4118 in the printer of the embodiment.

In the figure, 702 is font information developed into a bit pattern based on an outline font, 703 is graphic data input from the host computer 301, and 704
similarly indicates image data input from the host computer 301. Further, 705 indicates external characters or logo data input from the host computer 301 in the same manner.

411a is a table that stores the address, capacity, etc. of each bit pattern data of the cache memory 406, and is a part of the table 411 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 710 indicates a word that stores the start address, capacity, etc. of the graphic data 703, and 711 indicates a word that stores the address, capacity, etc. of the font data 702.

The structure of each word in the table 411a is as shown in FIG. 7, where 720 is a flag indicating whether the font information or pattern information specified by this word is valid or invalid, and "o" indicates invalid. , °“1゛ is valid,
"2" indicates valid data that can be erased if necessary. An address area 721 stores an address of the cache memory 406 in which corresponding pattern information (font information, image data, etc.) is stored. 722 is the capacity of the pattern information (
size) in bytes, for example.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the table 411 indicating the cache memory 406 and the cache memory 406 in the embodiment.

Reference numeral 411a denotes the used area management chifur explained in FIG. 7;
Reference numeral 11b is a free space management table that indicates free space in the cache memory 406, which will be described later. The used areas (811, 812) in the cache memory 406 are areas where font data, graphic data, image data, etc. are already stored, and the free area (813) is an area where no data is stored. ing. As explained in FIG. 7, the used area management table 411a is
The data structure shown in the figure stores the start address, size, etc. of each used area. The free space management table 41 lb stores the start address and size of the free space 813 of the cache memory 406, and the data structure of each word in the table 411b is the same as the data structure of the words in the used space management table 411a. . Note that the used area management table 411a and free area management table 411b described above are stored in the table 411 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a management table for each data in the printer of the embodiment.

903 is an outline font data management table;
904 is a management table for graphic data, 905 is a management table for image data, and 906 is a management table for managing font data such as external characters and logos. These management tables store character codes corresponding to character fonts, and in the case of graphic data, index information and the like.

In this way, whereas conventionally each of the management tables 505 to 508 indicates the corresponding pattern data, each of the management tables 903 to 906 of this embodiment indicates the corresponding pattern data to each of the cache memory 406. The information in the management table 411 is specified.

The registration operation in the cache memory in the printer of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG. 4 and the flowchart of FIG. 10.

The flowchart in FIG. 10 shows a process of developing a pattern of, for example, an outline font and registering it in the cache memory 406.

First, in step S1, a free space in the cache memory 406 is searched by referring to the free space management table 411b to see if there is a free space that can store the pattern information to be registered. If there is no free space in step S2, the cache memory 406 is determined to be full and the process ends in step s6.

If there is a free area in which the pattern data can be registered, the process proceeds to step S3, and the pattern data is stored in the free area of the cache memory 406, and the used area management table 411a is updated in step S4. Next step S
5, the free space management table 411b of the cache memory 406 is updated. In this way, font data, image data, etc. are newly registered in the cache memory 406 along with codes, indexes, etc., and then when the codes, indexes, etc. are instructed, they are read out from the cache memory 406 and stored in the image memory. 40
7 and printed by the printing mechanism section 303.

Note that when the cache memory 406 is full, garbage collection (
Generally, after creating a free space by creating a free space by creating a free space by combining the free space into one large free space, or by deleting the erasable used space, the process of registering the data into the cache memory 406 is executed again. It is true.

Additionally, when the used area of the cache memory 406 is no longer needed or it becomes necessary to erase the used area,
Free space management table 411
b, and set the flag 720 of the corresponding registration information in the used area management table 411a to "0" to change it to invalid information.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the data stored in the cache memory 406 includes font information obtained by developing patterns of outline fonts, registered graphic information, image information, external characters, logos, etc., but the data is not limited to this, and for example, bitmap fonts, etc. It may also be font information that is enlarged or reduced, or characters in various fonts.

Furthermore, the order in which the data to be written to the cache memory 406 is registered is not the order of storage processing; for example, data that cannot be erased without instructions from the host computer is stored sequentially from the beginning of the cache memory, and the printer side stores it as necessary. If the data that can be erased at any time is stored sequentially from the last address in the cache memory 406, the moth-eaten state in the cache memory 406 (a state in which free areas of the cache memory are scattered) is less likely to occur.
Cache memory usage efficiency is further improved.

Furthermore, as shown by 910 in FIG. 11, if there are consecutive free areas in the cache memory 406, if these free areas are grouped together and managed as 911, the cache The usage efficiency of memory 406 is further improved.

Note that although this embodiment has been explained using a printer as an example, the present invention is not limited to this; for example, a display device, a word processor, etc. have a function of registering and developing various pattern data. Of course, it can be applied to all devices.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, bitmap development patterns of outline fonts, figures, images, external character fonts, etc. are collectively stored in the cache memory, and the used area and free area of the cache memory are managed. Memory usage efficiency can be improved.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, cache memory usage efficiency can be improved by collectively storing outline font expansion patterns, registered figures, registered images, and external character registration areas in the same work memory. This has the effect of improving the processing speed of processing into bit pattern data.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the general functional configuration of the printer of the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data in the cache memory in this embodiment, and Fig. 3 is an outline of the connection between the host computer and the printer of the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of the control unit of the printer of the embodiment; Figs. 5 and 6 are conceptual diagrams showing the conventional management of each pattern data; Figs. 7 to 9 FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the cache memory and the used area management table in the embodiment, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing pattern development processing by the control unit of the printer in the embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a cache memory in another embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating processing for composing memory free areas. In the figure, 101... outline font management section, 10
2... Graphic data management section, 103... Image data management section, 104... External character font management section, 105.
... Cache memory management unit, 106... Cache memory, 107... Output information expansion unit, 108... Output data storage unit, 109... Output unit, 300... Printer, 301... Host Computer, 302...
- Control unit, 303...Printing mechanism unit, 401...CP
U, 402...Program ROM, 403...Outline font memory, 404 work memory, 4
゜6... Cache memory, 407... Image memory, 411... Table. ■ ■ ■ L-1111” ~

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An image information processing device capable of registering a plurality of image data and reading and outputting the corresponding image data when corresponding code information is input, and a storage means for storing a plurality of independent image data of different categories; , an area storage means for storing a free area and a used area of the storage means, respectively; a search information storage means for storing search information for searching the image data for each of the categories; and the search information. control means for controlling the image data to be read by referring to the area storage means based on the area storage means, and to detect an empty area by referring to the area storage means when registering the image data to the storage means; An image information processing device comprising: (2) The image information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is a bitmap pattern obtained by developing vector information representing a pattern, and the storage means is a cache memory.