JPH05270055A - Image recording method and device, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable an image to be printed by magnifying at any magnification by a method wherein a means which instructs magnifying center of an image data and its magnifying power, and a means which records the instructed image data by magnifying, are provided. CONSTITUTION:One page content of an image data is stored in a page memory 2 by a step 1. Whether or not magnification is instructed from an operation panel is examined by a step 2. When the magnification has been instructed, a procedure is advanced to a step 3. A content of a page memory is magnified to be developed by a bit map in a bit map memory 5 following the magniffication and a magnifying center which are instructed by a step 3. Then, the procedure is advanced to a step 5. After transferring one line content of a recording data to a scan buffer 6, an image forming part 8 is started by a step 6. After waiting for input of a horizontal synchronizing signal from an image forming part by a step 7, output of one line content is started with the scan buffer. When recording processing cessing of one page content is ended, the procedure is advanced to a step 10, and recorded recording paper is discharged outside a device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording method and apparatus for inputting image data and recording it on a recording medium, and further to an information processing method for inputting code data and developing it into pattern information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer such as a laser beam printer, when enlarging and printing input image data, a user has a preset magnification (for example, A4 size → A3 size, A4 size → B4 size, A desired magnification is selected from B4 size → A3 size, etc., and is instructed to the printer. In this way, the enlarged image is printed by performing processing for enlarging the image data in the printer according to the designated and selected magnification.

[0003]

In such a conventional apparatus, it is impossible to enlarge the image data at a magnification other than the preset magnification, and the image range to be enlarged and printed is also page by page. I could only specify.

Further, in a printing apparatus which has a font memory for outline fonts and the like, which develops and records a pattern based on an input character code, etc., has a cache memory which stores the developed pattern data as a cache. .. However, once the power of the device is turned off, the contents of the cache memory when the power is turned off are only saved, and for example, the contents of the cache that the user wants to save are not always saved. It was

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and provides an image recording method and apparatus capable of enlarging and printing an image in a desired range at an arbitrary magnification with respect to input image data. To aim.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an information processing method that allows a user to save the contents of the cache in a nonvolatile manner at any time.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the image recording apparatus of the present invention has the following constitution. That is, it is an image recording apparatus for inputting image data and recording it on a recording medium, the input means instructing an enlargement center and an enlargement ratio of the image data, and an input according to the enlargement center and the enlargement ratio instructed by the instructing means. And recording means for enlarging and recording the recorded image data.

In order to achieve the above object, the image recording method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, an image recording method of inputting image data and recording the image data on a recording medium, the step of instructing an enlargement center and an enlargement ratio of the input image data, and the image data input according to the instructed enlargement center and the enlargement ratio. And enlarging and recording.

In order to achieve the above object, the information processing method of the present invention includes the following steps. That is, it is an information processing method of inputting code data and developing it into pattern information, wherein when the code data is developed into pattern information, the step of storing the pattern information as a cache and the content of the cache are stored in a non-volatile manner. When instructed to do so, there is a step of storing the cache in a non-volatile manner at the time of the instruction, and a step of transferring the contents of the cache stored in the non-volatile manner to the original cache again when the power is turned on.

[0010]

According to the image recording apparatus having the above-described structure, which inputs image data and records the image data on the recording medium, when the enlargement center and the enlargement ratio of the image data are designated, the enlargement center and the enlargement ratio are designated. Enlarges and records the input image data.

According to another information processing method of the present invention, when the code data is expanded into pattern information, the pattern information is stored as a cache, and the contents of the cache are stored in a non-volatile manner. When instructed, the cache is stored in a nonvolatile manner. Then, the contents of the non-volatile stored cache are transferred to the original cache again when the power is turned on.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of a laser beam printer (printing apparatus) according to this embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an input / output control section for inputting recording data such as document information and image data from an external device (not shown) such as a host computer, and at the same time transmitting information such as the status of the printer to the host computer or the like. Outputs to external equipment and controls input / output with external equipment. A page memory 2 has a capacity capable of recording at least one page of recording data input through the input / output control unit 1. The recording data input from the external device includes image information (image data), graphic information (data for drawing a graphic), document information (character code), and various control information (instruction of output form of these information). For example,
Command for instructing emphasis processing for a specific character).

A character generator 3 stores the font pattern data corresponding to the character code. When the document information stored in the page memory 2 is a character code, the main controller 4 When these character codes are input, the corresponding pattern data is output to the main control unit 4. Reference numeral 4 denotes a main control unit, which controls the printer as a whole, for example, a CPU 41 such as a microprocessor, a ROM 42 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 41 and various data, and a CPU 41 while operating according to the control program. The RAM 43 and the like used as

The main control section 4 sequentially reads the recording data stored in the page memory 2, and when it is a character code, refers to the character generator section 3 to generate character pattern data and generate the bit map memory 5. It is being developed in sequence. In this way, the bitmap image for one page is expanded in the bitmap memory 5. Reference numeral 6 denotes a scan buffer, which has buffers 60 and 61 for reading and storing one line of the bitmap image stored in the bitmap memory 5 line by line. The two buffers 60 and 61 are provided here.
This is because when the content of one buffer is read and output to the image forming unit 8 through the parallel-serial converter 7, the other buffer can input and store the image data of the next line. When the image data for one line is output to the image forming unit 8, the read buffer is switched this time. Further, the image data of the next line is transferred and stored in the buffer whose output is completed at this time. After that, high-speed printing is possible by performing the processing while alternately switching the buffers in this manner.

Generally, the recording method in a laser beam printer is such that a laser beam from a semiconductor laser element whose light emission is turned on / off based on image data is scanned and exposed on a photosensitive drum, and according to a known electrophotographic recording method. An image is formed on the recording element. The image data for one line for scanning exposure is converted into serial data via the parallel-serial converter 7 in order to use it as a drive signal for the semiconductor laser device. The image forming unit 7 actually records an image based on a signal (video signal) converted into serial data. The structure of the image forming unit 8 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

An operation panel 9 is operated by the user, and the coordinates of the center point of the range to be enlarged and output, the enlargement ratio, and the like are input. When recording data such as document information or image data from an external device such as a host computer is enlarged in this printer and printed / outputted, the coordinates of the range point to be enlarged and outputted by the operation panel 9 are shown in FIG. As shown, it is given to a predetermined origin, and the X-coordinate and Y-coordinate values of the expansion range point corresponding thereto are input from the operation panel 9. Based on the coordinates of the enlargement center point and the enlargement magnification thus given, the main control unit 4 reads the bitmap data, applies enlargement processing to the data, and transfers the data to the scan buffer 6. The subsequent operation is the same as that during normal printing.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the laser beam printer (LBP) 100 of this embodiment.
P100 is a data source (not shown) (host computer, etc.)
Character pattern registration and fixed form (form data)
It is configured to be able to register etc.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 100 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores character information (character code) supplied from an externally connected host computer or the like, form information, macro commands, and the like. A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording paper, which is a recording medium. 9
Is an operation panel on which various switches for operation and an LED display are arranged, and 101 is a printer control unit for controlling the entire LBP 100 and analyzing character information supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 101 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs it to the laser driver 102.

Next, the structure of the image forming section 8 will be described. The laser driver 102 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 103, and switches the semiconductor laser on / off according to the input video signal. The laser beam 104 is swung in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror and scans the electrostatic drum 106. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 106. This latent image is the electrostatic drum 106.
After being developed by the developing unit 107 around, the image is transferred to the recording paper. A cut sheet is used for this recording paper,
The cassette recording paper is stored in the paper cassette 108 mounted on the LBP 100, and is fed by the paper feed roller 109 and the transport roller 1.
It is taken into the apparatus by 10 and 111 and supplied to the electrostatic drum 106.

In the above description, the enlargement processing is performed on the basis of the data expanded in the bit map memory 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the contents of the page memory 2 will be described below. A case in which the enlargement processing is performed on the basis will be described.

In FIG. 1, when the document information from an external device such as a host or print data such as image data is enlarged and printed / outputted in the printer, the central point of the range to be enlarged and outputted by the operation panel 9 is displayed. Enter the coordinates and magnification. Based on the input coordinates of the enlargement center point and the enlargement magnification, the main control unit 4 takes out the record data from the page memory 2, and when the document information stored in the page memory 2 consists of character codes, the character generator unit 3 is activated. While referring to the data, the data is expanded and sequentially expanded in the bitmap memory 5.

When the enlargement processing is performed based on the data of the page memory 2 as described above, there is an advantage that the enlargement can be expressed more beautifully than when the outline font character or vector data is enlarged based on the contents of the bitmap memory. ..

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing of the main control section 4 of the printer control unit of the LBP 100 of this embodiment. The control program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 42. Here, a case is shown in which enlargement processing is performed based on the contents of the page memory 2.

This process is started by transferring one page of image data from an external device such as a host computer (not shown). First, in step S1, the page memory 2 stores this one page of image data. Next, in step S2, it is checked whether or not enlargement is instructed from the operation panel 9, and when enlargement is instructed, the process proceeds to step S3, and the bitmap memory 5 is stored in accordance with the instructed enlargement ratio and the center of enlargement. The contents of the page memory 2 are expanded and expanded into a bitmap. On the other hand, when the enlargement is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the contents of the page memory 2 are directly expanded in the bitmap memory 5 at the same size. When the pattern development in the bitmap memory 5 is completed in this way, the process proceeds to step S5, and the print data for one line is transferred to the scan buffer 6.

Then, in step S6, the image forming unit 8 is activated, and in step S7, the horizontal synchronizing signal (B
After the input of the D signal), the output of data for one line is started from either of the scan buffers 60 and 61.
In this way, image recording for one line is started. And 1
When the page recording is not completed, the process proceeds from step S9 to step S11, and the data from the bitmap memory 5 is transferred to the scan buffer other than the scan buffer being read in step S8. That is, when the data from the scan buffer 60 is being output to the image forming unit 8, one line of data from the bitmap memory 5 is transferred to and stored in the scan buffer 61. Then, the process proceeds to step S7, and after waiting for the input of the next horizontal synchronizing signal, the recording data of the next line written in step S11 in step S8 is output to the image forming unit 8. Thus 1
When the page recording process is completed, the process proceeds to step S10,
The recorded recording paper is ejected out of the apparatus, and the processing ends. <Second Embodiment> In the above-described embodiment, when recording data such as document information and image data from an external device such as a host computer is input, enlarged in the printer, and output, the image is enlarged from the operation panel 9. Although the coordinates of the center point of the enlarged range to be output and the enlargement ratio are input, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the coordinates of the center point of the enlarged output range from the host computer and the enlargement are also included. The magnification may be instructed to the printer device.

In this case, as a method of giving the coordinates of the center point, a print image is displayed on a display unit such as a CRT on the host computer side, and the coordinates of the center point of the enlarged figure is given by using a pointing device such as a mouse. Alternatively, a method of directly designating the center coordinates by using a numerical key or the like can be considered. <Third Embodiment> In the above-described embodiments, the method of designating the range to be enlarged is to give the coordinates of the center point of the range to be enlarged from the operation panel 9 or the host computer. Is not limited to this, and the size of the recording paper used for recording in the printer is set by giving the coordinates of the range to be enlarged and output in the original image from the operation panel 9 of the printer or the host computer side. The enlargement ratio may be determined in accordance with the above, and the designated range may be enlarged and printed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, of the original image data 500 shown in FIG. 5A, the range 501 designated to be enlarged and output is enlarged, and as shown in FIG. The size of the output paper 505 can be enlarged and printed in the printer device.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the range of the image data to be enlarged and output is designated, or the coordinates of the center point of the enlargement of the image data and the magnification are desired. Images in the desired range can be recorded at magnification. <Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a laser beam printer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The parts common to those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a font data storage unit which stores an outline character font and vector data.
It has an OM 11 and a hard disk 12. 13 is R
The AM cache caches the vector data of the outline character font stored in the hard disk 12 and the bit data of the outline character font developed by the main control unit 4. Thus RAM
When the cache 13 becomes full and the next new data comes, which data in the cache 13 is deleted depends on a preset algorithm. RA in this way
The contents of the M cache 13 change from moment to moment with the operation of the printer. The contents of the RAM cache 13 can be flashed at any moment by operating the operation panel 9.
It can be downloaded to the PROM cache 14. Once
When the power of the printer apparatus is turned off and then turned on again, the contents of the flash EPROM cache 11 become R
It is downloaded to the AM cache 13.

FIG. 7 shows the main controller 4 in the fourth embodiment.
The control program for executing this process is stored in the ROM 42a.

This process is started by turning on the power of the printer apparatus. First, in step S21, after various initialization processes, the contents of the flash EPROM cache 14 are downloaded to the RAM cache 13. Next, in step S22, it is checked whether or not the image data to be recorded has been transferred from the host computer. If there is image data, the process proceeds to step S23 and the image data is stored in the page memory 2. On the other hand, when there is no data transfer from the host computer, the process proceeds to step S27.

In step S24, it is checked whether the image data for one page is stored in the page memory 2 and the recording process can be started. If not, step S22.
Return to. When the recording process can be started, the process proceeds to step S25, the image data stored in the page memory 2 is developed into a bitmap by referring to the character generator 3 or the font data storage 10, and the result is stored in the bitmap memory. Store in 5. Here, when expanding the bitmap using the outline font data in the font data storage unit 10, it is checked whether or not the expanded pattern is stored in the RAM cache 13,
When it exists, bitmap data is expanded using the pattern data. When no pattern data exists, the outline font stored in the font data storage unit 10 is used to develop a bit pattern, and the result is stored in the RAM cache 13. At this time, RA
When the M cache 13 becomes full and next new data arrives, which data in the cache 13 should be deleted?
According to a preset algorithm. In this way, the contents of the RAM cache 13 are updated.

Next, in step S26, the image forming unit 8 is activated to print one page. This print processing is performed in steps S5 to S10 in FIG.
It is executed in the same way as.

Next, in step S27, the operation panel 9
Further, it is checked whether or not there is an instruction input for instructing the download of the cache contents. If there is an instruction input, the process proceeds to step S28 and the contents of the RAM cache 13 are downloaded to the flash EPROM cache 14. As a result, the contents of the RAM cache 13 which is a volatile memory are loaded into the flash EPROM cache 14 which is a non-volatile memory. As a result, even if the power of the printer is turned off thereafter, the contents stored in the nonvolatile memory are downloaded to the RAM cache 13 when the power of the printer is turned on again (step S21). The contents of the cache 13 will be saved. <Fifth Embodiment> In the above fourth embodiment, the contents of the RAM cache 13 are downloaded to the flash EPROM cache 14 by operating the operation panel 9, but the present invention is not limited to this. Without a command from an external device such as a host computer,
The contents of the RAM cache 13 may be downloaded to the flash EPROM cache 14. <Sixth Embodiment> In the above-described fourth embodiment, the contents of the RAM cache 13 are flashed by the user's operation to the flash EPROM.
Although it was downloaded to the cache 14, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the last contents of the RAM cache 13 are automatically downloaded to the flash EPROM cache 14 at the moment the power of the printer is turned off. Is also good. <Seventh Embodiment> Although the flash EPROM cache 14 is used as the nonvolatile cache in the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this. EEPROM, NVRA
M, ferroelectric RAM, SRAM + backup battery or the like may be used.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the usual volatile cache memory, a cache memory using a non-volatile memory is provided, and the contents of both can be loaded together. As a result, the cache hit rate can be improved.

Although the laser beam printer has been described in the above embodiment, the application of the present invention is not limited to this.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that an image in a desired range can be enlarged and printed with respect to input image data at an arbitrary magnification.

Further, according to another invention, the user can save the contents of the cache in a nonvolatile manner at an arbitrary time point, so that there is an effect that the hit rate of the cache can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a laser beam printer of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a structural cross-sectional view showing the structure of a laser beam printer of an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which a center point for enlarging an image is given in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a recording process for one page in the laser beam printer of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged range of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a laser beam printer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a caching process in a laser beam printer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Input / output control unit 2 Page memory 3 Character generator unit 4 Main control unit 5 Bitmap memory 6 Scan buffer 7 Parallel-serial converter 8 Image forming unit 9 Operation panel 10 Font data storage unit 13 RAM cache 14 Flash EPROM cache 41, 41a CPU 42, 42a ROM 43, 43a RAM 60 buffer 61 buffer

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for inputting image data and recording it on a recording medium, comprising: an instruction unit for instructing an enlargement center and an enlargement ratio of the image data; and an enlargement center and an enlargement instructed by the instruction unit. An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that enlarges and records image data input according to a ratio. 2. An image recording apparatus for inputting image data and recording the image data on a recording medium, comprising: instruction means for instructing an enlargement range of the image data; instruction means for instructing a size of the recording medium; An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that enlarges and records image data input according to the enlargement range designated by the unit and the size of the recording medium designated by the designating unit. 3. An image recording method for inputting image data and recording the image data on a recording medium, the step of instructing an enlargement center and an enlargement ratio of the input image data, and inputting according to the instructed enlargement center and the enlargement ratio. An image recording method comprising the step of enlarging and recording the recorded image data. 4. An information processing method for inputting code data and expanding into pattern information, wherein when the code data is expanded into pattern information, the pattern information is stored as a cache, and the contents of the cache are non-volatile. When the memory is instructed to be stored in the memory, the step of storing the cache in a nonvolatile manner at the time of the instruction, and the step of transferring the content of the cache stored in the nonvolatile memory to the original cache again at the time of turning on the power are performed. An information processing method comprising: