JPH0243074A - Page printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a form overlay function to a printer to enable a user to synthesize text data and image data in a simple operation in a short time by a method wherein the page printer is equipped with a mode change-over switch and a work memory to have a mode change-over function, such as synthesis, storage, continuous execution, and erasure. CONSTITUTION:When printing character codes to be printed (characters and numeric values) are different and image data (a format, such as ruled lines and frames of tables) is constant, the image data is firstly generated, and a mode change-over switch 5 on the side of a printer 4 is set to a synthetic mode 6. The mode change-over switch 5 is set to a storage mode 7 at the completion of data transmission from a host machine 1. In this manner, the image data is registered in a memory of a controller 3. After that, a user changes over the switch 5 to a continuous page execution mode 8 to transmit image data-free characters and numeric values to be printed per page so that they should be synthesized on the registered image data. Since in the printer 4 the image data has been developed to a bit map by a work memory 10, the printing character codes can be rapidly bit-map developed to be printed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is capable of printing character codes (text data) and image data (table lines, frames, etc.) from a host machine such as a host computer or scanner on a page-by-page basis. remember,
The data stored for each page and new data sent from the host machine are combined and printed, and the data is saved as new stored data to create text data according to the user's preferences.

This invention relates to compositing image data using a page printer.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as a means of compositing text data and image data according to the user's preference, a form overlay function has been used in which text data and image data are registered in advance in the printer's memory by a command, and the required locations are The method used was to extract and print this data.

However, when using it, the user must program it according to the command format independently.
This was not actually used because it was troublesome and was inconvenient.

Furthermore, some applications have a form overlay function, but this is done by transferring the data as necessary on the application side, rather than registering text data or image data in the printer's memory. For this reason, the time required for data transfer and the time required for data processing within the printer are quite long. Can't be ignored for quite some time.

In addition, there are applications that have a word processing function 9 tabulation function and an image creation function, but the word processor 9 tabulation function and image creation function are still mainly used. After synthesis, a copy was made and used. Furthermore, even with applications that have the above three functions, characters are treated as images and the printed characters do not have beautiful shapes because they do not use the printer's built-in fonts.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, there is no printer that has a form overlay function that allows the user to easily operate and synthesize text data and image data in a short time.
It was inconvenient.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and to realize the synthesis of text data and image data according to the user's preference on a page printer.

(Structure and Operation) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a page printer that develops a print character code, image data, etc. from a host machine into a bitmap on the controller side.
The present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a means for synthesizing and saving image data, etc. on a page-by-page basis, and a work means for executing the synthesizing and saving, and that the page printer is provided with a form overlay function by means of a switching means for operating these means. do.

The present invention provides a composition mode, a storage mode, and a continuous page execution mode for printing character codes, image data, etc., in positions on the operation panel or page printer that can be easily operated and set by the user.

It is equipped with a mode changeover switch such as an erase mode, and a work memory for synthesizing printed character codes, image data, etc. from the host machine.

The present invention provides printing character codes (characters) to be printed.

numeric values) are different, and image data (table borders, frames, etc.) are different.
・If the format (format) is constant, first create image data, set the mode switch on the printer side to composite mode, and when the data is sent from the host machine and complete, set the mode switch to save mode.

The image data is now registered in the controller's memory. Then the user can print the characters without image data.

In order to register the numerical value and synthesize it onto a certain image data, the system switches to continuous page execution mode and transmits it page by page. Since the image data is developed into a bitmap in the work memory inside the printer, the printing character code can be quickly developed into a bitmap and printed.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a system configuration block diagram of a page printer and a host machine in which the present invention is implemented. In FIG. 6, l is a host machine and is a personal computer.

This refers to a word processor, scanner, etc., from which print character codes, image data, etc. are sent to a buffer 2, developed into a bitmap by a controller 3, and stored.

The page printer 4 has a mode changeover switch 5 on its operation panel 40, and prints the print character code, image data, etc. developed into a bitmap by the controller 3 on a page-by-page basis, thereby achieving a form overlay function. The mode selector switch 5 is a combination mode 6,
It has a save mode 7, a continuous page execution mode 8, and an erase mode 9. Reference numeral 10 denotes a work memory, which is used when the mode selector switch 5 is used to execute the compositing mode and save mode.Since compositing is basically performed in page units, a bitmap memory area corresponding to the paper size is prepared. .

For example, the bitmap memory area is 300DP and A
One 4-size page requires approximately 1 MB, and one A3-size page requires approximately 2 MB.

Therefore, if there is enough memory area, when composition mode 6 is specified with mode changeover switch 5, one page is reserved from the user area prepared in the page printer, or data from host machine 1 is saved. All you have to do is analyze it, convert it to the minimum necessary area or intermediate format, and reserve it in the user area. However, this is necessary if you want to store the composite data inside the printer and print that data for each page, and if you are compositing only one page, the data sent directly from the host machine 1 will be stored in bits. All you have to do is develop it into map memory and synthesize it.

Now, the case of creating a table image will be explained using FIG. 2. Using a word processor, etc., create a table (
Create data for only the ruled line 11), display it on the CRT 12 and check it, then create data for only the ruled line 11, set the mode changeover switch 5 of the page printer 4 to composition mode 6, and send this ruled line data (2 ). However, the above CR
It is assumed that the table shown on TlZ is constant for each page, and that the printing character code written in the table is changed.

When the transfer of the ruled line data is completed, in order to save this ruled line data inside the page printer, press the mode selector switch 5.
Set the save mode to 7 (3). Next, in order to execute the page printer continuously, the mode is switched to continuous page execution mode 8, and data to be transmitted later can be combined with the previously saved table image (4). Create data (characters, numbers) that matches the format of the table created in (1) above using a word processor for each page, send the data (5), and develop the received data and table (image) into a bitmap inside the printer. The images are then combined and printed (6).

In this way, data can be sent to match the printing speed of the page printer and characters and numbers can be printed on one sheet, resulting in a significant reduction in transmission time compared to the previous two to three minutes required per page. .

Further, when the mode changeover switch 5 is set to erase mode 9, the memory is released when the already registered composite data is deleted or newly registered, or when the composite print mode is no longer needed.

FIG. 3 shows a case where scanner outputs are combined. First, a document such as a catalog is read by the scanner 13 (1).

Next, the page printer is set to composition mode 6 using the mode changeover switch 5, and scanner data is received (2). Documents created using a word processor or the like and graphic information created using a mouse or the like are received from the host machine and combined with the previously scanned image (3).

Next, change the page printer from composition mode 6 to execution mode 8.
and output the composite image (4).

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the present invention provides a page printer with a mode changeover switch and a work memory, and provides mode changeover functions such as compositing, saving, continuous execution, and erasing, so that every page has the same ruled line format. This has the effect of printing data including image data. As a form of use of the present invention, for example, a document created using a word processor and an image data file created using a mouse or the like can be combined. In addition, by preparing a dedicated interface, it is possible to combine image data read by a scanner with text and image data created with various application software, and it is also possible to realize an overlay function that prints the combined data on each page.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system configuration of a page printer and a host machine in which the present invention is implemented, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the procedure for composing tabular images, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the procedure for compositing with scanner output. . 1... host machine, 2°°° buffer, 3.
Controller (CPU), 4...Page printer, 40...Operation panel, 5...Mode changeover switch, 6...Composition mode, de, 7...Save mode, 8...Continuous page execution mode , 9...
Erase mode, lO...Work memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a page printer that develops printed character codes, image data, etc. from a host machine into a bitmap on the controller side, a means for composing and storing the printed character codes, image data, etc. from the host machine page by page in the page printer, and the same. What is claimed is: 1. A page printer characterized in that the page printer is provided with a work means for synthesizing and storing images, and has a form overlay function by means of a switching means for operating these means.