JPH0544704B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a pixel column data generation device, and particularly to a pixel column data generation device that converts a figure into a pixel column for a raster signal for display or drawing.

[Technological environment]

The original images for printed circuit boards in recent years are originally two-dimensional figures, but when displaying or drawing them, it is often necessary to convert them into pixel arrays for raster signals, which are collections of one-dimensional line elements. Become.

For example, original drawings for printed circuit boards are drawn by moving a mechanically moving head like an X-Y plotter vectorially on the drawing surface, but this method takes several hours to draw if the area is large and the figure is complex. This is a major problem in the production of printed circuit boards.

In such a case, if the original image is drawn in raster form using an electro-optical method, the above-mentioned drawing time can be significantly shortened, but this requires a device that converts the original image into pixel arrays for raster signals.

[Conventional technology]

As a conventional technology, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-47342
"Pixel row data generation device" shown in the publication
There is.

Conventional "pixel row data generation devices" break down a figure into several graphic elements (hereinafter referred to as patterns) and convert them into pixel rows for raster signals by arranging them in the order of occurrence in the sub-scanning direction. A first pattern data storage section that stores mode data and pattern data; a second pattern data storage section that stores conversion mode data and pattern data that are in the middle of conversion; and a second pattern data storage section that stores predetermined patterns in raster format. a pattern table storage section that stores the conversion mode data signal in a format cut into two, and a conversion mode data signal and a pattern data signal received from the first pattern data storage section or the second pattern data storage section and converted into the conversion mode data signal; a raster element data generation unit that generates a set of coordinates (hereinafter referred to as raster element data) representing the positions of a starting point and an ending point of a portion where a raster intersects a pattern corresponding to the pattern data while referring to the contents of the pattern table storage unit; a continuation determination unit that determines whether or not the pattern intersects with the next raster, and stores the conversion mode data and pattern data in a second pattern data storage unit if it is determined that the pattern intersects with the next raster; a raster element data expansion unit that receives an element data signal and sets a value indicating that the raster intersects with the pattern; and a raster element data expansion unit that receives the expansion data obtained by the raster element data expansion unit and that corresponds to at least one raster. The pixel array storage unit includes a pixel array storage unit for storing pixel arrays, and means for supplying the pixel array to a subsequent processing mechanism after the pixel array corresponding to one raster is formed in the pixel array storage unit. .

Next, a conventional "pixel column data generation device" will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional "pixel column data generation device." The raster element data generation section 303 first reads the first conversion mode data and pattern data from the continuous pattern data storage section 301, generates raster element data, and outputs it to the raster element data expansion section 305. Raster element data development section 305
Then, according to the raster element data, a value indicating that the raster intersects with the pattern is set in the corresponding portion of the pixel column storage section 306.

On the other hand, when one raster element data is generated, the conversion mode data held in the raster element data generation section 303 is sent to the continuation determination section 307.

If the continuation determination unit 307 determines that the pattern will appear at the next raster position, it generates a signal to store the conversion mode data and pattern data held in the raster element data generation unit 303 in the continuation pattern data storage unit 301. do. If it is determined that the pattern does not appear at the next raster position, the continuous pattern data storage unit 301
No data is stored in the .

When the processing for one set of conversion mode data and pattern data is completed, the next conversion mode data and pattern data are read from the continuous pattern data storage section 301, and the same processing as above is repeated.

When the processing of data in the continuous pattern data storage unit 301 completes, the new pattern data storage unit 302
The conversion mode data and pattern data stored in the continuous pattern data storage section 301 are read out and processed in the same manner as the data in the continuous pattern data storage section 301. This processing continues until the data related to the pattern starting from the current raster position among the data in the new pattern data storage section 302 is completed. When this process is completed, pixel row signals for one raster are formed in the pixel row storage section 306. The pixel array supply unit 308 supplies the pixel array to a subsequent processing mechanism. When the supply is completed, the conversion process for the next raster position begins, and the raster element data generation section 303 starts reading out the first conversion mode data and pattern data from the continuous pattern data storage section 301.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The conventional pixel row data generation device described above develops new pattern data after the continuous pattern data corresponding to one raster has been developed, so patterns that occur later are given priority as drawing patterns. will be drawn. This can be easily understood from the fact that the pattern that occurs later is stored at a later stage in the storage section of the continuous pattern data that is developed in the next raster, so that the pattern is developed later in the next raster.

However, in actual original drawings of printed circuit boards, the inner layer connection land pattern shown in FIG. 4A frequently appears. Figure 4a When you want to draw an inner layer connection land pattern Normally, as shown in Figure 4b Generation mode decomposition inner layer connection land pattern, create a ring-shaped pattern by combining black circles and white circles, and then combine the ring-shaped patterns. Make it. If two ring-shaped patterns appear simultaneously in the raster direction as shown in the inner layer connection land pattern that occurs simultaneously in the raster direction in Fig. 4c, the inner layer connection land pattern in Fig. 4a is obtained as a result. d Sub-scanning direction simultaneous occurrence As shown in the inner layer connection land pattern, two patterns are generated in the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as Y direction), for example.
If they appear at the same time, a pattern different from the inner layer connection land pattern a in FIG. 4 will be obtained as a result. Therefore, in order to obtain the same pattern in all directions, it is necessary to break it down into even smaller figures and create a pattern as shown in Fig. 4a, Inner Layer Connection Land Pattern, as a collection of smaller figures, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-47342. Using the lookup mode described in detail in "Pixel string data generation device", the fourth
By decomposing the pattern into four parts and registering them in advance in the pattern table storage unit as shown in Figure e, Table Mode Decomposition Inner Layer Connection Land Pattern, the fourth
The pattern shown in the inner layer connection land in Figure a can be made to appear. When converting a pattern using the "pixel row data generation device," the pattern is expressed by conversion mode data and pattern data prior to conversion, which are arranged in the order of occurrence in the Y direction and stored in a new pattern data storage section. It is necessary that the Therefore, when decomposing into finer figures, decomposition takes time and errors in the pattern occur due to decomposition. Even when a pattern table storage unit is used, it takes time to generate data to be input to the pattern table storage unit, and as shown in FIG.
Each time a figure having a different angle with respect to the inner layer connecting land pattern occurs, different data must be input into the pattern table storage section. As explained above, in either method, the work to be performed prior to conversion is more frequent and takes more time than in the case of using a combination of four circles. The purpose of converting to a pixel column for raster signals is to perform high-speed drawing, and the time required for conversion and work prior to conversion must be minimized, so neither of the above methods is appropriate.

As explained above using the inner layer connection land pattern in Figure 4a as an example, in the conventional pixel column data generation device, patterns that occur later are preferentially drawn as drawing patterns, and therefore cannot be drawn with a simple combination of figures. The drawback was that it created a pattern.

[Means for solving problems]

The pixel string data generation device of the present invention uses a conversion mode arranged in the order of occurrence in the sub-scanning direction when decomposing a figure into several figure elements (hereinafter referred to as patterns) and converting them into pixel columns for raster signals. a new pattern data storage section that stores data and pattern data, a continuous black pattern data storage section that stores conversion mode data and black pattern data that are in the middle of conversion, and a continuous black pattern data storage section that stores conversion mode data and white pattern data that are in the middle of conversion. a continuous white pattern data storage section for storing, a pattern table storage section for storing predetermined patterns in raster-cut format, and the new pattern data storage section or the continuous black pattern data storage section or the continuous white pattern data storage section. Receiving a conversion mode data signal and a pattern data signal from a pattern data storage unit, and referring to the contents of the pattern table storage unit according to the conversion mode data signal, determining the starting point of a portion where a raster intersects a pattern corresponding to the pattern data. and a raster element data generation unit that generates a set of coordinates (hereinafter referred to as raster element data) representing the position of the end point, and a raster element data generation unit that determines whether or not the pattern intersects with the next succeeding raster, and determines that the pattern intersects with the next raster, and a black a continuation determination unit that stores the conversion mode data and pattern data in a continuous black pattern data storage unit in the case of pattern data, and stores the conversion mode data and pattern data in the continuous white pattern data storage unit in the case of white pattern data; , a raster element data expansion unit that receives the raster element data signal and sets a value indicating that the raster intersects with the pattern; and a raster element data expansion unit that receives the expansion data obtained by the raster element data expansion unit and divides it into at least one raster. a pixel row storage section that stores corresponding pixel rows; and a pixel row supply section that supplies the pixel rows to a subsequent processing mechanism after the pixel rows corresponding to one raster are formed in the pixel row storage section. It consists of:

〔Example〕

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

The raster element data generation section 101 first reads the first conversion mode data and pattern data from the continuous black pattern data storage section 102 and generates raster element data according to the conversion mode data.
Output to 3. The apparatus of the present invention uses two types of transformations to generate raster element data. The first conversion mode is a generation mode, in which raster element data is directly calculated from conversion mode data and pattern data, and the second conversion mode is lookup mode, in which raster element data is directly calculated from conversion mode data and pattern data. This is a conversion form that uses data in the pattern table storage unit 104 instead of directly. Therefore, when the read conversion mode data indicates that the mode is the lookup table mode, the data in the pattern table storage section 104 is read out to generate raster element data. The raster element data development section 103 sets a value indicating that the raster intersects with the black pattern in the corresponding portion of the pixel column storage section 105 according to the raster element data. On the other hand, 1 is subtracted from a value (hereinafter referred to as ΔY) representing the length of pattern data in the Y direction held in one raster element data generation unit 101 and sent to the continuation determination unit 106. If the value of ΔY is greater than 0, the continuation determining unit 106 determines that the pattern will also appear at the next raster position, and continues the conversion mode data and pattern data held in the raster element data generating unit 101 to store black pattern data. A signal is generated for storage in section 102. If the value of ΔY is 0, such a signal is not generated, so that the conversion mode data and pattern data held in the raster element data generation unit 101 are not stored in the continuous black pattern data storage unit 102. Needless to say. After such processing, the next conversion mode data and pattern data are read from the continuous black pattern data storage section 102, and the same processing as above is repeated.

When the processing of the data in the continuous black pattern data storage unit 102 completes, the new pattern data storage unit 10
One word at the first read control position of 7 is read. The content of this word is conversion start position data, which is compared with the current raster position value held in the raster element data generation section 101, and if they are equal, conversion mode data and pattern data are read out. If it is determined that the data is black pattern data based on the conversion mode data, it is processed in the same way as the data in the continuous black pattern data storage unit 102. This process continues and is repeated until the data related to the black pattern starting from the current raster position among the data in the new pattern data storage section 107 is completed.

Next, the first conversion mode data and pattern data are read from the continuous white pattern data storage section 108, raster element data is generated according to the conversion mode data, and is output to the raster element data development section 103. The raster element data development section 103 sets a value indicating that the raster intersects with the white pattern in the corresponding portion of the pixel column storage section 105 according to the raster element data. When it is determined that the pattern will appear at the next raster position by the same process as for the continuous black pattern, the conversion mode data and pattern data held in the raster element data generation unit 101 are transferred to the continuous white pattern data storage unit 108. Storage is performed. After such processing, the next conversion mode data and pattern data are read out from the continuous white pattern data storage section 108, and the same processing as above is repeated.

When the processing of data in the continuous white pattern data storage unit 102 completes, the new pattern data storage unit 10
Of the data No. 7, those related to the white pattern starting from the current raster position are read out and processed in the same way as the data in the continuous white pattern data storage section 108. This process is performed by the new pattern data storage unit 10.
7 data related to the pattern starting from the current raster position continues until the data is completed.

When the above processing is completed, pixel column signals for one raster are formed in the pixel column storage section 105 and supplied to the subsequent processing mechanism by the pixel column supply section 109. When the supply is completed, the conversion process for the next raster position begins and the raster element data generation section 101 starts reading out the first conversion mode data and pattern data from the continuous black pattern data storage section 102.

When converting a pattern using the apparatus of the present invention, the pattern is expressed by conversion mode data and pattern data prior to conversion, and the black pattern data comes first in the order of occurrence in the Y direction, and even for newly generated patterns in one raster. It is necessary that all the black pattern data starting with that raster be followed by white pattern data and stored in the new pattern data storage unit.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the raster element data generation section in more detail, taking as an example the process of generating raster element data of a circular pattern from conversion mode data and pattern data in the search table mode. Conversion mode data ID and pattern data ΔY, X, T _A are now read from continuous black pattern data storage section 201 to register 202 . The ID is sent to the discrimination circuit 203 via the signal line 202a, where it is discriminated that raster element data of a black circular pattern is generated in the search table mode, a signal appears on the signal line 203a, and the pattern table storage unit 204, Subtraction circuit 20
5. Addition circuit 206 is activated. Then, data l is read out from the pattern table storage section 204 according to the value of the table storage address _TA , and is applied to one input of the subtraction circuit 205 and the addition circuit 206, respectively, and is applied to the other input through the signal line 202b. The operation with X is performed and the results are respectively stored in raster element data register 2.
Sent to 07. In lookup mode, a circular pattern appears.
Y If starting from _{the b-} th raster position, a series of data obtained by cutting the circle into raster shapes in advance
l ₀ , l ₁ , l ₂ ..., l〓 _Yb-1 is stored in the pattern table storage unit 204, for example, at address T _A , and now Y _b +
At the nth raster position, data l _o starts from address T _A +n.
Read out the raster element data X _S = X _b − l _o ,
A method is used to find X _E = X _b + l _o . Therefore, _XS of the raster element data register 207 contains
The calculation result of l is set in _XE , and the calculation result of X+l is set in XE. The value of the pattern length ΔY in the Y direction is sent to the continuation determining unit 208, where it is subtracted by 1 and the result is compared with 0. If the value is greater than 0, it is determined that the pattern continues to appear at the next raster position, and it is determined that the pattern is black based on the conversion mode data, so a write signal to the continuous black pattern data storage unit 201 is output to the signal line 208a. be done. The storage address T _A is incremented by 1 by the adder circuit 209 and becomes the value of the table storage address at the next raster position. In response to a write signal to the continuous black pattern data storage section 201, the conversion mode data and pattern data at the next raster position are written to the continuous black pattern data storage section 201 via the signal line group 202c.

When the setting of data to the raster element data register 207 is completed, a signal is output to the signal line 207a, and this signal is sent to the storage section control circuit 210. In this case, the readout circuit 211 is driven via the signal line 210a, and the next Conversion mode data and pattern data of the pattern are read.

If the conversion mode data read into the register 202 indicates that the data conversion process in the continuous black pattern data storage section 201 has completed one cycle, the determination circuit 212 is driven. Conversion start position data is read out from the new pattern data storage section 213 in the determination circuit 212, and is compared with the output of the raster position counter 214. If they are equal, a signal is output to the signal line 212a, and the data is output to the storage section control circuit. 210 and sends a signal to the signal line 210b,
The reading circuit 215 is driven and reading from the new pattern data storage section 213 is started.

If it is determined that the conversion mode data read to register 202 is black pattern data, it is processed in the same manner as continuous black pattern data and the data is set in raster element data register 207. If the continuation determining unit 208 determines that the pattern will appear at the next raster position, it is a black pattern according to the conversion mode data ID, so 208a
A write signal to the continuous black pattern data storage section 201 is outputted, and the conversion mode data and pattern data at the next raster position are written to the continuous black pattern data storage section 201 via the signal line group 202c.

The processing of the black pattern starting from the current raster position in the new pattern data storage unit 213 is repeated, and when the conversion mode data indicating that it is a white pattern is read to the register 202, the processing of the black pattern starting from the current raster position is repeated. The storage unit control circuit 210 determines that the process has ended, and the signal line 2
A signal is output to 10c to drive the readout circuit 216, and readout from the continuous white pattern data storage section 217 is started.

Conversion mode data ID and _pattern data ΔY,
X _S and X _E are set. When the continuation determining unit 208 determines that the pattern continues to appear at the next raster position, a write signal to the continuous white pattern data storage unit 217 is output to the signal line 208b, and the pattern continues to appear at the next raster position. conversion mode data,
The pattern data is written into the continuous white pattern data storage section 217 via the signal line group 202c. When the setting of data to the raster element data register 207 is completed, the next continuous white pattern data is read out.

If the conversion mode data read out to the register 202 indicates that the data conversion process in the continuous white pattern data storage section 217 has completed one cycle, the storage section control circuit 210 drives the readout circuit 215 to store new pattern data. Reading from section 21 is started.

The data read out to the register 202 is white pattern data, and is processed in the same way as continuous white pattern data. When the continuation determining unit 208 determines that the pattern will also appear at the next raster position, a signal is sent to the signal line 208b. Continuous white pattern data storage section 21
7 is output, and the conversion mode data and pattern data at the next raster position are sent to signal line group 2.
Continued white pattern data storage unit 21 via 02c
7 is written. When the setting of the data in the raster element data register 207 is completed, the next new pattern data is read out.

If the conversion mode data read to the register 202 is conversion mode data indicating the end of data related to a pattern starting from the current raster position, 1 is added to the contents of the raster position counter 214 and the storage control circuit 210 continues to black. The pattern data reading circuit 211 is driven to start reading, thereby starting conversion of a new raster position.

When one raster element data is set in the raster element data register 207, it is immediately sent to the subsequent raster element data expansion unit 103. Since it can be realized using the technology shown in "Generating Circuit", it will not be described here.

The pixel row data generation device of the present invention has been described above using a circular pattern as an example, but the processing of patterns of other shapes will not be described in detail since there is no essential difference from the above description.

In concluding the detailed explanation of the invention, it is necessary to make some supplementary remarks.

In the present invention, three storage units, a continuous black pattern data storage unit, a continuous white pattern data storage unit, and a new pattern data storage unit, are used to store conversion mode data and pattern data, but these are not necessarily physically separate. It does not mean a storage means. This means that, for example, after reading new pattern data, it is also possible to store continued pattern data in the same storage area, and the present invention includes this storage form.

Also, the amount of data related to a new pattern is quite large depending on the number and complexity of the patterns to be drawn, but on the other hand, the data related to continuous patterns is much smaller, so the new pattern is stored as a physically separate storage part. It is practical to use, for example, an external memory or an internal memory of the computer as the data storage section, and to use a dedicated storage means for the continuous pattern data storage section.

Further effects can be achieved by adding a buffer storage means to speed up the processing. For example, it is effective to speed up processing by providing a storage area for two rasters as a pixel row storage section and simultaneously forming pixel rows and supplying them to the next processing mechanism.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereby.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The pixel row data generation device of the present invention completes one cycle by developing continuous black pattern data corresponding to one raster, then develops the black pattern data of the new pattern data, then develops the continuous white pattern data, and continues. By developing the remaining white pattern data of the new pattern data after the white pattern data has been developed, patterns that occur later will not be drawn preferentially as drawing patterns, so the same When drawing a combination of patterns, even if the directions of the patterns are different, the same pattern can be drawn as a result.

In addition, in conventional pixel row data generation devices, in order to obtain the same pattern regardless of the direction of the combined patterns, it is necessary to decompose them into even smaller unweighted figures and store them in the new pattern storage unit. , data corresponding to the search table mode had to be entered each time the direction of the pattern changed. Either method requires frequent work to generate new pattern data prior to conversion,
In particular, in the method of decomposing into fine figures, the amount of data increases, and the conversion time for the pixel string data generating device becomes long. The pixel string data generating device of the present invention can use the same data as the conventional pixel string data generating device as the new pattern data, so it is possible to generate new pattern data using a new pattern compared to the conventional pixel string data generating device. There is no need for frequent data generation or long conversion times.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the raster element data generation section shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional pixel column data generation device, and FIGS. FIG. 101... Raster element data generation unit, 1
02... Continuous black pattern data storage section, 103...
... Raster element data development section, 104 ... Pattern table storage section, 105 ... Pixel row storage section, 106 ... Continuation determination section, 107 ... New pattern data storage section, 108 ... Continuation white pattern data storage section, 109 ...Pixel column supply unit, 201...
... Continuous black pattern data storage section, 202 ... Register, 203 ... Discrimination circuit, 204 ... Pattern table storage section, 205 ... Subtraction circuit, 206 ...
... Addition circuit, 207 ... Raster element data register, 208 ... Continuation judgment section, 209 ... Addition circuit, 210 ... Storage section control circuit, 211, 2
15, 216...Readout circuit, 217...Continuation white pattern data storage section, 301...Continuation pattern data storage section, 302...New pattern data storage section, 303...Raster element data generation section, 304...Pattern table Memory section, 305
...Raster element data development section, 306...
Pixel string storage unit, 307...Continuation determination unit, 308...
...Pixel row supply section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A new system that stores conversion mode data and pattern data arranged in the order of occurrence in the sub-scanning direction when a figure is broken down into several figure elements (hereinafter referred to as patterns) and converted into pixel columns for raster signals. A pattern data storage unit, a continuous black pattern data storage unit that stores conversion mode data and black pattern data that are in the middle of conversion, and a continuous white pattern data storage unit that stores conversion mode data and white pattern data that are in the middle of conversion. a pattern table storage unit that stores predetermined patterns in a raster-cut format; and conversion mode data from the new pattern data storage unit, continuous black pattern data storage unit, or continuous white pattern data storage unit. A signal and a pattern data signal are received, and according to the conversion mode data signal, while referring to the contents of the pattern table storage unit, coordinates representing the positions of the start and end points of the portion where the raster intersects the pattern corresponding to the pattern data are determined. a raster element data generation unit that generates a set (hereinafter referred to as raster element data); and a raster element data generation unit that determines whether or not the pattern intersects with the next raster, and if it is determined that the pattern intersects with the next raster, and if it is black pattern data, the conversion mode a continuation determining section that stores the conversion mode data and pattern data in the continuous black pattern data storage section, and in the case of white pattern data, stores the conversion mode data and pattern data in the continuous white pattern data storage section; a raster element data development section that sets a value indicating that the raster element data development section intersects with the pattern; and a pixel column that receives the development data obtained by the raster element data development section and stores a pixel column corresponding to at least one raster. Pixel row data comprising: a storage section; and a pixel row supply section that forms a pixel row corresponding to one raster in the pixel row storage section and then supplies the pixel row to a subsequent processing mechanism. generator.