JPH061003A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image forming device in which a binary processing mode can be changed by a command and the binary processing mode conforming with a data can be selected. CONSTITUTION:A command is analyzed by a command analysis section 11, and a binary processing parameter is taken out from the command, and a binary processing mode is selected by the decision of a binary processing section 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of color printing a raster image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventionally known color printing apparatus, when data sent from a host apparatus is binarized, it is processed by one binarization processing method to perform color printing. .

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since different data such as characters, figures, and raster images are processed by one binarization processing method, binarization suitable for each data is performed. The drawback was that the treatment method could not be selected.

Therefore, in view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus configured so that an optimum binarization processing method can be selected for different image data.

[0005]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention takes in a raster image command,
It is provided with means for analyzing a command, means for extracting a binarization processing parameter from the command, and selection means for selecting a method for binarizing the raster image data.

[0006]

By providing a means for capturing a raster image command and analyzing the command, a means for extracting a binarization processing parameter from the command, and a means for selecting how to binarize the raster image data, the character -The binarization processing method can be selected for different data such as figures and raster images.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes a host computer 1 and an image forming apparatus main body 2.

The host computer 1 sends print-related information such as print data and print commands to the image forming apparatus main body 2.
Print processing.

The image forming apparatus main body 2 is composed of a microprocessor system including a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

The image forming apparatus main body 2 is functionally composed of the following circuit components. That is, it is used to set an interface 16 for exchanging data with the host computer 1, a color processing section 13 in which information such as color reproduction processing and LUT (look-up table) is stored, and various parameters for controlling printing. Operation panel 1 that can
4, data bus 15, control unit 1 for controlling the entire device
7, a command analysis unit 11 for analyzing print data and print commands from the host computer 1, a pattern expansion unit 18 for expanding color data such as characters and figures in a memory for each of C, M, Y, and K, expanded The image forming apparatus main body 2 is provided with an output unit 19 that forms color data on a sheet by using a color laser beam printer to form a permanent visible image.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the format of a raster image command used when binarizing the data sent from the host computer 1 and outputting it in color.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for processing the data sent from the host computer 1 and outputting the color print.

In step S11, the raster image command is read, and the flow advances to step S12.

In step S12, the read raster image command is analyzed, and the flow advances to step S13.

In step S13, binarization processing parameters are extracted from the analyzed raster image command,
It proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, it is determined whether the extracted binarization processing parameter is the dither method. If the dither method is used for the binarization processing, the process proceeds to step S15, and if it is another binarization method. , And proceeds to step S16.

In step S15, binarization processing is performed by the dither method, and the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, dot development is performed on the color image data by the pattern developing section 18 based on the respective color information, and the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, based on the color image data developed in step S17, a permanent visible image is formed on the paper by the output unit 19 based on the color image data, the paper is ejected, and the process ends.

Next, another embodiment will be described.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the ED (error diffusion) method has been taken as an example of the binarization method by the dither method and another binarization method, but as another binarization method. For example, the average density preservation method and other conceivable binarization processing methods can be applied only by changing the processing method. Further, the printer for output may be a color dot printer, a color inkjet printer, a color thermal transfer printer, etc., in addition to the color laser beam printer.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The data sent from the host computer can be processed by a binarization method suitable for each data, and high quality color printing can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a raster image command.

[Fig. 3] 2 by importing data from a host computer
6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for performing a binarization process and outputting a color print.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 host computer 2 image forming apparatus main body 11 command analysis unit 12 binarization processing unit 13 color processing unit 14 operation panel 15 data bus 16 interface 17 control unit 18 pattern expansion unit 19 output unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Importing a raster image command,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a means for analyzing a command; a means for extracting a binarization processing parameter from the command; and a selection means for selecting a method for binarizing the raster image data.