JPH07125337A - Image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently perform the registration of a character and suppress the memory consumption low. CONSTITUTION:When a character pattern is sent to a receiving buffer 106 along with a command showing the execution of registration from a host computer 300, a CPU 101 judges whether the constitutional number of the dots of a sent dot pattern is equal to or more than a predetermined number. When the number of dots is judged to be equal to or greater than a specific number, it is estimated that the scalable data extracted from the dot pattern is good and, therefore, the dot pattern is eliminated and only the scalable data is stored in an RAM and also registered in a font table 103.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording device, and more particularly to an image recording device for recording an image based on print data sent from a host device on a predetermined recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, it is possible to register an external character pattern created by a host device (host computer) in a printing device. The operator in the host device is
Both an external character pattern to be displayed on the display screen and an external character pattern to be registered in the printing device are created and registered in the host device and the printing device.

[0003]

However, when an external character pattern or the like is registered in such a printing apparatus, a dot pattern is generally used as the font format downloaded from the host apparatus to the printing apparatus.

Further, in recent years, as represented by a laser beam printer, the recording resolution has increased and it has become possible to print higher quality characters. In such an apparatus, in addition to having a character font as a dot font, it has an outline font (or a scalable font), and a character pattern is generated and printed based on this data.

When an external character is to be registered in a printing device using such an outline font, there is no choice but to use a special application program (or a part of OS) in the host device. However,
In the work for creating the outline font, the format of the character pattern information and the format of the accompanying information are too complicated, and it is difficult for general users.

Further, the outline font data is effective for a character having a relatively large size (or a character having a large number of vertical and horizontal dots), but generates a very good pattern for a character having a small size. It is known that you cannot do it. Therefore, even if one character pattern is generated, a previously stored dot pattern or outline data is used to switch these appropriately.

Therefore, when an external character is registered in such a printing apparatus, it is necessary to register both the dot pattern font and the outline data font, which puts pressure on the memory area of the printing apparatus. Also becomes.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus capable of efficiently performing character registration and suppressing memory consumption. To do.

In order to solve this problem, the image recording apparatus of the present invention has, for example, the following configuration. That is, the scalable font data and the dot pattern data corresponding to the character code are stored, and the pattern corresponding to the character code included in the print data sent from a predetermined upper device is used as the scalable font data or the dot pattern data. In the image recording apparatus which is generated based on the above, and which is recorded on a predetermined recording medium, extraction means for extracting the scalable data based on the dot pattern sent from the host apparatus together with the predetermined command, and the extracted scalable data are registered. The first registration means, the second registration means for registering with the dot pattern sent together with the predetermined command from the higher-level device, and the second configuration when the number of dot configurations of the sent dot pattern is more than a predetermined number. Deactivate the registration means and activate the first registration means And a control means.

[0010]

In the configuration of the present invention, when a character dot pattern is downloaded for registration from a host device, and if the size of the dot pattern is equal to or larger than a predetermined size, it is determined that good scalable data can be extracted. , The dot pattern is not registered, and the extracted scalable data is registered.

[0011]

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

In the embodiment, an example applied to a laser beam printer will be described, but it will be apparent from the following description that the present invention is not limited to this.

<Description of Apparatus Configuration (FIG. 1)> FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus in the embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a printing apparatus according to this embodiment, which forms a printing result 200. 300
Is a host computer that outputs print data.

In the printing apparatus 100, a CP as a processing unit that controls the entire printing apparatus and executes various processes described later.
It has the following configuration including U101.

Reference numeral 106 is a reception buffer for temporarily storing data from the host computer, 102 is a font memory for storing outline font data and dot format font data, 103 is a built-in font attribute, and a pointer to a pattern. A font table having a table, 104 is a page buffer for storing received data, and 107 is a bitmap memory 105.
This is a printer engine unit that actually performs a printing process based on the image data expanded in. The CPU 101 is provided with a ROM storing various processing procedures (programs), including a flowchart of FIG. 2 described later, and a RAM used as a work area.

The structure of the printer engine unit 107 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing apparatus applied to this embodiment. Registration of character patterns and fixing format (form data) from a data generation source (host apparatus such as host computer) not shown. ) Etc. can be registered.

In the figure, the printing apparatus 100 inputs and stores character information (character code), form information, macro commands, etc. supplied from an externally connected host computer, and responds in accordance with these information. A character pattern, a form pattern, or the like is created, and an image is formed on a recording medium which is a recording medium. Reference numeral 700 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LCD display are arranged, and 701 denotes a printer control unit (reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1) for controlling the entire apparatus 100 and analyzing character information supplied from a host computer.
1 to 106) is a printed circuit board on which each unit is arranged. The printer control unit 701 mainly converts character information corresponding to character information into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 702. The laser driver 702 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 703, and switches on / off the laser light 704 emitted from the semiconductor laser 703 according to an input video signal. The laser light 704 is shaken in the left-right direction by the rotating polygon mirror 705 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 706. As a result, the electrostatic drum 7
An electrostatic latent image such as a character pattern is formed on 06. The latent image is developed by the developing unit 707 arranged around the electrostatic drum 706, and then transferred to the recording paper.
A cut sheet is used as this recording sheet, and the cut sheet recording sheet is stored in a sheet cassette 708 mounted in the apparatus 100, and has a paper feed roller 709 and delivery rollers 710 and 711.
Is taken into the apparatus by and and supplied to the electrostatic drum 706. Further, even when the recording paper is manually inserted from the manual insertion port 714, it is supplied to the position of the electrostatic drum 706.

In this way, when the recording paper is conveyed to the electrostatic drum 706, the toner image adhered on the electrostatic drum 706 by the developing device 707 is transferred to the recording paper. After that, the recording paper is conveyed toward the fixing device 712,
The toner is fixed and finally discharged to the outside by the discharge roller 713.

<Description of Registered Character Pattern Processing Procedure (FIG. 2
-FIG. 3)> Next, a character registration processing procedure in the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S1, a character registration command is received from the host computer 300 via the reception buffer 108. Next, the accompanying information (the character code and the dot pattern to be used for registration) is stored in the work area cleared in advance (step S2). Then, the outline data is extracted from the dot pattern in the work area and sequentially stored from a predetermined address position in the RAM (step S3). At this time, if the size of the downloaded dot pattern is larger than the preset size,
The dot pattern is not registered, only the outline data is registered (the reason will be described later).

Then, the registration of the character pattern is completed by registering in the font table 103 using the accompanying information (character code) in the work area (step S4).
In the font table 103, the registered character code and the address indicating the location of the outline data corresponding thereto are written. Since the outline data of normal characters is stored in the font memory 102,
Information indicating the storage location (font memory or RAM) is also written (however, this is not necessary if these address spaces are different when viewed from the CPU 101).

Regarding the method of converting into an outline,
Although not particularly mentioned in this embodiment, the printer analyzes /
It is a format and information that can be expanded by a known method.
Short vector, secondary (3rd) B-spline, secondary (3rd)
Next) Convert to information such as Bezier.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of an output procedure at the time of printing processing of the embodiment.

First, an attribute or name is designated by a command,
Alternatively, if not specified, a font determined by the panel or default is selected (step S11).
Then, the character code to be actually printed is designated (step S12) and temporarily stored in the page buffer memory 104. Then, when a code having a pattern registered by the user is specified when actually forming an image in the bitmap memory 105 (determined by referring to the font table 103), it is registered from the RAM. The outline data or the dot pattern is taken out (steps S13 and S14). If not (when a character other than the registered character pattern is designated), the outline data or the dot pattern is taken out from the font memory 102 (step S13). , S15). And
In step S16, the dot pattern is developed with the size specified in step S11 and stored in the page buffer 104, and the dot pattern is output to the bitmap memory 105 (step S16).

Next, an actual registration example will be described. To register characters, start a dedicated application on the host computer (or OS may support it),
Characters of actual sizes are designed with dot images of actual resolution, and predetermined registration commands and associated information are provided to the host computer and its subordinate printer by a predetermined operation. If the screen resolution on the host computer and the printer's resolution are different, create a pattern for the character to be registered for display and a pattern for printing, and transfer the latter pattern to the printing device so that both patterns are the same. Will have letters.

Here, the point to be noted is that in recent printers, the size of characters to be printed varies, and this can be freely set by the user. Therefore, when an instruction command for enlarging or reducing the character pattern registered by the above method is received, the original pattern is simply enlarged (or 1 × 2 × 1 dot of the original pattern is used to double the length and width). Since it corresponds to all 2 dots), the jaggies (jagged edges) of the character pattern are inevitably noticeable due to thinning. Also, smoothing the dot pattern can be considered, but the quality is inevitably lower than that of a general outline font.

Further, in an apparatus such as the printing apparatus of the present embodiment, which adopts a method of generating a character pattern based on outline data, the downloaded dot pattern and the outline data extracted thereby are not used. It is possible to register under the conditions and use a dot pattern when the instruction size from the host computer is small, and to generate a character pattern that uses outline data when the instruction size is large. Is not preferable, because the memory capacity to be secured for storing is large.

For the above reason, in this embodiment, when the size n × m of the dot pattern of the downloaded character is larger than the preset size (the character pattern to be registered can be recognized as being of high quality). In the case of characters of a certain degree), the dot pattern is not registered (meaning that the downloaded dot pattern is erased), and only the extracted outline data is registered.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to manage user-registered characters having high output quality with a small memory.

[Explanation of Second Embodiment] The above embodiment (first embodiment)
In the embodiment), when a dot pattern of a certain size or more is downloaded, the dot pattern is not registered and the extracted outline data is registered, but a user who requests registration with the size itself to be used. Can also be considered. Therefore, as long as the capacity of the registered RAM allows, an example in which dot fonts are also stored will be described as the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a character pattern registration process in the second embodiment. The device configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

First, in step S21, a character registration command is received from the host computer 300 via the reception buffer 108. Next, the registration pattern including the accompanying information is stored in the cleared work area (step S22).
Next, the dot pattern in the work area is converted into an outline, stored in the RAM (step S23), and registered in the font table 103 using the accompanying information in the work area (step S24). If the free RAM area has a predetermined amount or more (step S25), the dot pattern stored in the work area is stored in the RAM area (step S26) and registered in the font table 103 (step S27). . If there is no free RAM area, the dot font is not registered.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of an output processing procedure at the time of printing processing in the second embodiment.

First, similarly to the first embodiment described above, when an attribute or name is designated by a command or is not designated, a panel or a font determined by default is selected (step S31). A character code to be actually printed is designated (step S32) and temporarily stored in the page buffer memory 104. Then, when actually forming an image in the bitmap memory 105, first, it is confirmed whether or not there is a dot pattern by referring to the font table 103 (step S33), and if there is, the dot pattern is output (step S38). .

If not, it is determined whether the pattern is a user-registered pattern or a built-in character pattern (step S34). If a code having a pattern registered by the user is designated, the pattern registered in the RAM is taken out. (Step S35), otherwise (when a character other than the registered character pattern is designated), the pattern is taken out from the ROM (step S36). And step S
It is developed into a dot pattern with the size of the instruction information designated by 31 and stored in the page buffer 104 (step S37), and output to the bit map memory (step S38).

As shown above, it becomes possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing at high speed even when a pattern of a small size is sent as in the conventional case. This is because, when a small-sized character pattern is downloaded, it is highly likely that the dot pattern itself will be registered.

[Explanation of Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, when the user registers a pattern, the registered dot pattern is mainly used, or the registered dot pattern is converted into an outline. For example, the method of instructing whether the pattern is unnecessary is explained.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a character pattern registration process in the third embodiment.

First, in step S41, a character registration command is received from the host computer 300 via the reception buffer 108. In addition to the character attribute information, the character registration command also includes a 1-bit flag indicating whether or not to perform dot pattern registration. Next, the registration pattern including the accompanying information is stored in the cleared work area (step S42). Then, the dot pattern in the work area is converted into an outline, stored in the RAM (step S43), and registered in the font table 103 using the accompanying information in the work area (step S44). Here, it is confirmed whether the content of the flag of the accompanying information in the work area, that is, the dot pattern is stored (step S
45) If it is to be stored, it is confirmed whether or not there is a free RAM area (step S46). If there is a pattern of dots stored in the work area,
It is stored in the AM area (step S47) and registered in the font table 103 (step S48). In addition, if there is no instruction to store the dot pattern,
If there is no area, the dot font is not registered.

The explanation has been given above with a 1-bit flag indicating whether or not to store a dot pattern. This is either dot pattern registration (dot pattern registration only) or dot outline registration (dot pattern remains, outline data It is also possible to use a 2-bit flag indicating whether it is created) or outline registration (only outline is registered).

Further, since the character output procedure at the time of printing in the third embodiment is the same as that described in the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, by providing the means for the user to make more detailed designations, the memory can be used efficiently and the image forming apparatus capable of high-speed printing can be provided.

[Explanation of Fourth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, when a user registers a pattern, the size and character code of the registered dot pattern are checked, and the size and code are checked for frequency of use. When the size code is high, it is determined that the probability that the dot pattern is used is high, and a method of storing the dot pattern while there is a free RAM area will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a character pattern registration process in the fourth embodiment.

First, in step S51, a character registration command is received from the host computer 300 via the reception buffer 108. Next, it is stored in the work area in which the registered pattern including the accompanying information is cleared (step S52).
Then, the dot pattern in the work area is converted into an outline, stored in the RAM (step S53), and registered in the font table 103 using the accompanying information in the work area (step S54). Here, the accompanying information character size in the work area is checked (step S55), and when the character size is 8 points or 10 points, the accompanying information character code in the work area is checked again (step S5).
6). If the character code is a 2-byte JIS code first level code, it is confirmed whether or not there is a free RAM area (step S57). If there is, the dot pattern stored in the work area is stored in the RAM area (step S58) and registered in the font table 103 (step S59).

Therefore, if the character size and the code are not frequently used or if there is no free RAM area, the dot font is not registered.

As described above, the description has been made with the frequently used character size being 8 points or 10 points, but this may be configured to specify the range.
It is also possible to have a means for collecting statistics inside the printer, and to configure the printer to obtain a frequently used size. Further, although the 2-byte JIS code first level is used as the frequently used character code, it is needless to say that it can also be applied to other Kanji code systems. Furthermore, having priority within the first level,
It is possible to further customize the priority of the code depending on the size.

Since the output procedure at the time of printing in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in the second embodiment, its explanation is omitted.

As described above, by determining and storing the priority order of the dot patterns automatically registered in the printer, it becomes possible to use the memory efficiently without the user's hand. An image forming apparatus capable of printing at high speed can be provided.

In the fourth embodiment, when the character size is within the predetermined range (condition 1), the frequency of character use is high (condition 2), and the RAM has a margin (condition 3), Although the dot pattern is registered, it is not always necessary to register it only when these three conditions are satisfied. For example, condition 1,
3 may be satisfied, or conditions 2 and 3 may be satisfied. [Explanation of the Fifth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment, a method of managing the dot pattern by using the registration level will be explained so that the dot pattern having a high priority can be stored in the empty RAM.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a character pattern registration process in the fifth embodiment.

First, in step S61, a character registration command is received from the host computer 300 via the reception buffer 108. Next, the registered pattern including the accompanying information is stored in the cleared work area (step S6).
2). Then, the dot pattern in the work area is converted into an outline, stored in the RAM (step S63), and registered in the font table 103 using the accompanying information in the work area (step S64). Here, it is confirmed whether or not there is a free RAM area (step S65).
The dot pattern stored in the work area is stored in the RAM area (step S68) and registered in the font table 103 (step S69).

Further, in the determination of step S65, the free RA
If it is determined that there is no M area, dot fonts that have already been registered in the RAM are searched, and those with the lowest priority are deleted (step S66). The deletion method is as follows: Level 0 if the user has a registration level and the user has instructed to store dots, level 1 for a character of the 2-byte JIS code first level with a size of 8 points or 10 points, and other than that. 7 to 12 points is level 2 and level 4 is 50 points or more, and the others are level 3 and the level of the character which is currently being registered is determined (step S67), and the character of lower level is used on the current page. Delete any that are not used. Then, the dot pattern to be registered at present is stored in the RAM (step S68), registered in the font table 103 (step S69), and the process ends.

Since the output procedure at the time of printing in the fifth embodiment is the same as that in the second embodiment, its explanation is omitted.

As shown above, the priority order of dot patterns automatically registered in the printer is determined, and the empty RA
By managing and effectively using M, it is possible to use the memory efficiently without the user's hand.
An image forming apparatus capable of printing at high speed can be provided.

[Description of Sixth Embodiment] The sixth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Description of Device Configuration (FIG. 9)> FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of the printing device in this embodiment. First to the above
The difference from the device configuration of the fifth embodiment is that the font cache memory 108 is provided. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the font cache memory 108 in the sixth embodiment temporarily stores the developed outline font, and stores and manages the dot pattern so that it can be executed at high speed when outputting a plurality of times. There is something.

<Description of Registered Character Pattern Processing Procedure (FIG. 1
0, FIG. 11)> FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a character pattern registration processing procedure in the sixth embodiment.

First, in step S71, a character registration command is received from the host computer 300 via the reception buffer 108. Next, the registered pattern including the accompanying information is stored in the cleared work area (step S7).
2). Then, the dot pattern in the work area is converted into an outline, stored in the RAM (step S73), and registered in the 103 font table using the accompanying information in the work area to complete the registration of the character pattern (step S74).

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S75, and the font cache memory 106 is followed in accordance with the procedure for printing the normal characters.
Register the dot pattern to. At this time, if there is a free area in the cache memory, it is registered immediately, but if there is no free area, the one with a low level is deleted according to the management level in the cache memory. Therefore, the registered characters are treated in the same manner as the printed characters, and only the frequently used characters are stored in the font cache memory.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the output procedure at the time of printing in the sixth embodiment. The font cache memory 108 may use a fixed area, but better utilization is achieved by effectively utilizing the free RAM. Further, by finely defining the cache management level of the characters actually printed and the registered characters, a more effective font cache can be realized.

First, an attribute or name is designated by a command,
Alternatively, if not specified, the font determined by the panel or the default is selected (step S81), and the character code to be actually printed is specified (step S8).
2), temporarily stored in 104 page buffer memory.

Then, the bitmap memory 105 is actually
When an image is formed on the sheet, first, a font cache management table (not shown) is searched (step S83), and if stored, the dot pattern in the cache is output (step S89). If it is determined that the font is not cached, the font table 103 is searched (step S84) to determine whether the font is registered as a dot font. If it is determined that it is stored as a dot font, the process proceeds to step S89.

If it is registered as an outline, it is determined whether the character is a user-registered character (step S85). If the character is a user-registered character, the data is taken out from the RAM, and if it is a built-in character, the data is taken out from the ROM (step S
86, S87), and develops into a dot pattern with the size stored in the page buffer 104 (step S8).
8) The dot pattern is output to the bitmap memory.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to perform efficient memory management by registering and managing in the font cache memory instead of managing the dot pattern of registered characters by using special processing. It is possible to output characters, and it is possible to provide a faster image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of Seventh Embodiment] In the seventh embodiment, when a user registers a pattern, the outline capacity is roughly estimated from the registered dot pattern information, and its size is calculated. Is larger than the capacity of the dot pattern, it is not converted into an outline.

As the device configuration, the configuration of the sixth embodiment is adopted.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a character pattern registration process in the seventh embodiment.

First, in step S91, a character registration command is received from the host computer 300 via the reception buffer 108. Next, the registered pattern including the accompanying information is stored in the cleared work area (step S9).
2). Then, based on the stored information, the capacity when converted into the outline is roughly estimated (step S93). Then, the size of the dot pattern is compared with the calculated amount of outline data (step S94), and if the outline capacity is smaller, it is converted to an outline (step S95) and registered in the font table 103 (step S96). ) Do. When the dot pattern capacity is small, the pattern stored in the work is RA
Stored in M (step S97), font table 1
03 (step S98).

There is no need for calculation to roughly estimate the capacity when converting to an outline, and there is also simplification such as determination based on the size of the dot pattern. Alternatively, the outline data may be actually extracted.

Next, the output procedure at the time of printing in the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, an attribute or name is designated by a command,
Alternatively, if no designation is made, the panel or default font is selected (step S101).
Next, the character code to be actually printed is designated (step S102) and temporarily stored in the page buffer memory 104. Then, when actually forming an image in the bitmap memory 105, first, a font cache management table (not shown) is searched (step S103). If it is stored, the dot pattern is output (step S1).
09).

If it is determined that the cache does not exist, the process proceeds to step S104 to search the font table 103 to determine whether or not it is registered as a dot pattern. If it is determined that the dot pattern is registered, the process of step S109 is performed.

If it is determined that the dot pattern is not registered, the process advances to step S105 to determine whether the dot pattern is registered as an outline. At this time, the characters registered as outlines are registered by the user (registered in RAM).
There is a built-in character (ROM).

If it is determined that the corresponding outline exists, the process proceeds to step S106 and the RAM
Alternatively, the outline data is retrieved from the ROM. on the other hand,
If it is determined that there is no corresponding outline data, the process proceeds to step S107, a dot font of a different size is searched for, and the outline data is extracted from the dot font. Even if it is tampered with, if the outline is taken out, the process proceeds to step S108, the pattern is developed based on the outline data, and the pattern output in step S109 is performed.

As described above, by storing either the dot pattern or the outline pattern in the printer, the memory can be used efficiently and an image forming apparatus capable of high-speed printing can be provided. Can be provided.

Although the embodiment has been described by taking the laser beam printer as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and printers of other systems,
For example, an inkjet printer, a dot impact printer, a thermal transfer printer, or the like may be used. The point is that any printer can store a character font as scalable data such as an outline.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform character registration efficiently and suppress the memory consumption to a low level.

[0082]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a character registration processing procedure in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of character pattern output processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a character registration processing procedure in the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of character pattern output processing in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a character registration processing procedure in the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a character registration processing procedure in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a character registration processing procedure in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a character registration processing procedure in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of character pattern output processing in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a character registration processing procedure in the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of character pattern output processing in the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a structural cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus to which the embodiment is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 Font Memory 103 Font Table 104 Page Buffer Memory 105 Bitmap Memory 106 Receive Buffer 107 Printer Engine Section

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. Scalable font data and dot pattern data corresponding to a character code are stored, and a pattern corresponding to a character code included in print data sent from a predetermined upper device is used as the scalable font data or dots. In the image recording device which is generated based on the pattern data and records on the predetermined recording medium, the extracting means for extracting the scalable data based on the dot pattern sent from the upper device together with the predetermined command, and the extracted scalable data. A second registration means for registering the dot pattern transmitted from the host device together with a predetermined command, and a second registration means for registering the dot pattern transmitted from the host device, if the number of dots formed in the transmitted dot pattern is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, Deactivate the second registration means and attach the first registration means. Further comprising a control means for an image recording apparatus characterized. 2. The scalable font data or dot pattern data corresponding to a character code is stored, and the pattern corresponding to the character code included in the print data sent from a predetermined upper device is used as the scalable font data or the dot. In the image recording device which is generated based on the pattern data and records on the predetermined recording medium, the extracting means for extracting the scalable data based on the dot pattern sent from the upper device together with the predetermined command, and the extracted scalable data. Registering the dot pattern sent together with the predetermined command, and deactivating the second registering means when the remaining amount of the recording area to be registered is small. An image recording apparatus comprising: 3. A scalable font data or dot pattern data corresponding to a character code is stored, and a pattern corresponding to a character code included in print data sent from a predetermined upper device is used as the scalable font data or the dot. In the image recording device which is generated based on the pattern data and records on the predetermined recording medium, the extracting means for extracting the scalable data based on the dot pattern sent from the upper device together with the predetermined command, and the extracted scalable data. A second registration unit for registering the dot pattern as a character pattern when the predetermined command is a dot pattern registration request instruction, and the remaining amount of the recording area to be registered is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. An image recording apparatus comprising: a registration unit. 4. The scalable font data or dot pattern data corresponding to a character code is stored, and the pattern corresponding to the character code included in the print data sent from a predetermined upper device is used as the scalable font data or the dot. In the image recording device which is generated based on the pattern data and records on the predetermined recording medium, the extracting means for extracting the scalable data based on the dot pattern sent from the upper device together with the predetermined command, and the extracted scalable data. When the dot pattern transmitted together with the predetermined command is a dot pattern in a predetermined size range and the remaining amount of the recording area to be registered is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the dot pattern is registered. The second registration means for registering as a character pattern An image recording apparatus comprising: 5. A scalable font data or dot pattern data corresponding to a character code is stored, and a pattern corresponding to a character code included in print data sent from a predetermined upper device is used as the scalable font data or the dot. In the image recording device which is generated based on the pattern data and records on the predetermined recording medium, the extracting means for extracting the scalable data based on the dot pattern sent from the upper device together with the predetermined command, and the extracted scalable data. And a dot pattern sent together with the predetermined command is a frequently used character, and when the remaining amount of the recording area to be registered is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the dot pattern is changed to a character. A second registration means for registering as a pattern, and The image recording apparatus according to claim. 6. Scalable font data or dot pattern data corresponding to a character code is stored, and a pattern corresponding to a character code included in print data sent from a predetermined upper device is used as the scalable font data or dots. In the image recording device which is generated based on the pattern data and records on the predetermined recording medium, the extracting means for extracting the scalable data based on the dot pattern sent from the upper device together with the predetermined command, and the extracted scalable data. First registration means for registering the dot pattern, second registration means for registering the dot pattern sent together with the predetermined command, and if the storage capacity of the registration target is small, the registered dot pattern and the dot to be registered are registered. Is the dot pattern with the lowest priority among the patterns? Image recording apparatus, comprising a deleting means for deleting the order. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the priority order is determined based on the frequency of use and the number of dots formed. 8. A scalable font data corresponding to a character code is stored, and a pattern corresponding to the character code included in the print data sent from a predetermined host device is generated based on the scalable font data, and a predetermined pattern is generated. In the image recording apparatus for recording on the recording medium, the extracting means for extracting the scalable data based on the dot pattern transmitted together with the predetermined command from the upper apparatus, and the first registering means for registering the extracted scalable data. An image recording apparatus comprising: a second registration unit that cache-registers a dot pattern corresponding to the scalable data registered in a predetermined cache memory. 9. Scalable font data and dot pattern data corresponding to a character code are stored, and a pattern corresponding to a character code included in print data sent from a predetermined upper device is used as the scalable font data or dots. In the image recording device which is generated based on the pattern data and records on the predetermined recording medium, the extracting means for extracting the scalable data based on the dot pattern sent from the upper device together with the predetermined command, and the extracted scalable data. An image recording apparatus, comprising: a comparing unit that compares the information amount of the dot pattern with the information amount of the dot pattern;