JPH03141423A - Video controller system for monochromatic printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To identify data by storing temporarily the graphic data into a memory with the color information contained in the data and converting the read graphic data into the area ratio of a dot pattern for each color information when the graphic data is converted into a dot signal to output the area ratio. CONSTITUTION:The color graphic data A including a data code and a color code and produced by a host machine 1 is temporarily stored in a page memory 21 of video controller 2 by a print instruction with the color information contained in the data A. Then the data A is sent to a dot conversion part 22 and converted into the dots via a dot pattern set previously in response to the color information of the data A. These dot data are arranged and outputted to a monochromatic page printer 3 as the dot signals B. Thus, a monochromatic picture is formed. Thus, the data A can be identified through a screen where the data A including the color information is printed via the printer 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a video controller system that outputs graphic data (image information) created by a host machine such as a personal computer to a monochrome printer through a video controller.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, when graphic data created in a host machine is output from a printer through a video controller, each graphic data is created in the host machine with a color code giving color information attached thereto.

When the image is printed out, it is sent to a video controller, stored in one or more memories including color information, separated into each color component, converted into dot signals, and output to a multicolor printer or the like.

Furthermore, if the printer is a monochrome printer, the color information of the graphic data created by the host machine is ignored at a certain point on the path to the printer, and the data is converted into a dot signal and output.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In the case of the latter mono-color printer mentioned above, graphic data that has been color-coded on the host machine is printed out in mono-color (single color). The disadvantage is that the graphic data cannot be identified from image a) and is very difficult to understand.
there were.

On the other hand, in the case of the former multicolor printer, etc.

While the above-mentioned monochrome printers can identify graphical data, they have the drawback of high cost.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks and provides a video controller system for a monochrome printer that is capable of identifying graphic data containing color information from a screen printed by a monochrome printer. The purpose is to

(Structure and Operation) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a video controller system that outputs graphic data created in a host machine to a monochrome printer through a video controller, in which the graphic data is stored in a memory including color information. Once stored, when the graphic data is read and converted into a dot signal, it is characterized in that it is converted into an area ratio of a dot pattern for each color information and output.

The present invention outputs graphic data created in a plurality of colors by a host machine to a monochrome printer with a dot pattern changed according to the color information. As a result, data differentiated by color coding can be identified on the host machine even from printed monochrome images.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a block diagram showing the flow of graphic data according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, color graphic data (data code+color code) A created by a host machine 1 is temporarily stored in a page memory 21 of a video controller 2 in a state including color information according to a print command. The color graphic data A is then sent to the dot conversion section 22, where it is converted into dots using a preset dot pattern according to the color information of the data, and as soon as the dot data is complete, the dot signal B is
The image is outputted to a monochrome page printer 3, where a monochrome image is formed.

FIG. 2 shows an operation flowchart of the dot converting section 22 mentioned above. First, it is determined whether the graphic data sent from the page memory 21 is a line or an area (Sl). If the data is an area (S, Y of
es), and converts it into a dot signal according to the color information as illustrated in FIG. In this right column, dot area ratio 0, 1/25,
...1 is associated.

Also, if the data is a line (S work No.) and has a line width a of 84 as shown in Figure 3, then, as in the above, depending on the color information, for example, as illustrated in Figure 5, It is converted into a dot signal (s4-85).

That is, color numbers 1 to 8 indicate the colors of data on the host machine 1, and the right column shows the dot width aXa and the dot spacing 0. a/2゜・・・-(none)
are associated.

The above operation is performed to analyze one page of data, and when the analysis is completed (Yes in S), the data converted into dot signals is continuously outputted to the monochrome page printer 3.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the output of areas and lines converted into dot patterns according to the color information shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. It can be seen that the numbers ■ to ■ and ■ to ■ in the figures correspond to the colored numbers shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, and that the black color changes in the areas and lines, respectively.

In this way, even from a monochrome image, data differentiated by color coding can be easily identified in the host machine.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, even if graphic data created in multiple colors on a host machine is output using a monochrome printer, dots are printed according to the created color information. Since images with different patterns are output, it is possible to easily identify the data, just as it was distinguished by color coding on the host machine.

As a result, even if a monochrome printer, which is cheaper than a color printer, is used, the color information of the graphic data created by the host machine can be used effectively. Further, it is possible to easily expand an existing monochrome printer system to a printer system capable of color discrimination.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the flow of graphic data according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the dot converter 22 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows a line in which data has a line width a. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams showing examples of dot signal conversion for areas and lines, respectively.
This figure shows a state in which the black color changes in the areas and lines output by the conversion of the dot signals in FIGS. 4 and 5. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Host machine, 2...Video controller, 21...Page memory, 22...Dot converter.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a video controller system that outputs graphic data created on a host machine to a monochrome printer through a video controller, the graphic data is temporarily stored in a memory in a state including color information,
When reading the graphic data and converting it into a dot signal,
A video controller system for monochrome printers that converts each color information into a dot pattern area ratio and outputs the converted data.