JPH0815793B2 - Printer device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Table of Contents] Outline Industrial field of application Conventional technology (Fig. 8) Problem to be solved by the invention (Fig. 9) Means for solving the problem (Fig. 1) Operation Example (a) Description of configuration of one embodiment (Figs. 2 and 3) (b) Description of operation of one embodiment (Figs. 4 and 5) (c) Description of another embodiment (Fig. (Fig. 6, Fig. 7) (d) Description of another embodiment [Outline] A printer device for reducing print of original print data on a cut medium, in which any size data of a desired size is printed. On print media,
A printer mechanism capable of varying the resolutions in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and a main scanning direction of the printer mechanism in response to a reduction instruction, for the purpose of reducing the size by effectively utilizing the size of the print medium. And a control unit for independently controlling the resolution in the sub-scanning direction, the control unit making the resolutions in the main-scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the printer mechanism different from each other to perform uneven reduction printing, and for continuous paper. Performed to print data on cut media.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a printer device for reducing print of original print data on a cut medium.

In recent years, dot printers such as electrophotographic printers have been widely used.

It has been sufficient for such a printer to have a function of printing the print data of a predetermined size and format in the original size.

However, with the recent expansion of print output applications, print data of a predetermined size and format can be
There is a demand to print out on a cut sheet of a desired size, and a reduction printing technique for this is required.

[Conventional technology]

 FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

In the system shown in FIG. 8A, a computer (CPU) 3 having a file 3a storing print data created in a predetermined size and format outputs the print data to the controller 2.

The controller 2 uses a bitmap memory 2a and a pattern file 4a that stores full-size characters and overlays.
And a pattern file 4b in which a character of the same reduced size and an overlay are stored. When the actual size is instructed by the CPU 3, the controller 2 sends the print data to the pattern file.
4a converts the image into an image and expands it in the bitmap memory 2a. When reduction is instructed, the print data is converted into an image in the pattern file 4b and expanded in the bitmap memory 2a.

The page printer 1 can perform not only the original size but also the reduced size printing by reading the image data of the bitmap memory 2a of the controller 2 and performing dot printing at a constant resolution.

The system shown in FIG. 8B has only the original size pattern file 4a, and develops the original size pattern (image) in the bitmap memory 2a regardless of the original size or reduction.

The controller 2 instructs the page printer 1 to switch the resolution according to the original size / reduction instruction, and causes the page printer 1 to print the image data of the bitmap memory 2a.

The page printer 1 controls the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and if the reduction instruction is given, the page printer 1 prints at a higher resolution than the original size instruction to obtain equal-scale reduced printing.

These techniques are disclosed, for example, in JP-A-61-25366 and JP-A-61-66465.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

By the way, generally, continuous paper has been widely used in computer systems.

For this reason, as shown in Fig. 9, print data is created according to the line printer continuous paper (stock form) STF with a print area of 13.8 inches (= 350.52 mm) and 11 inches (= 279.4 mm) vertically, and the file is created. 3a is stored.

These data have been produced for many years and are enormous.

In recent years, such data has been convenient for handling and storage.
There is a request to output on 3, B4 and A4 size cut sheets.

In this case, since the A3 size paper is 420 mm wide and 297 mm long, it can be printed by full-scale printing.

On the other hand, B4 size paper is 364 mm wide and 257 mm long, so it fits in the horizontal direction at the original size, but it does not fit in the vertical direction, so 80%
All you have to do is print with a small reduction.

Furthermore, since A4 size paper is 297 mm in width and 210 mm in height, it does not fit in the original size at all, and even if it is reduced by 80%, it does not fit in the vertical direction and it can be printed by reducing it by 67%. Become.

However, since the conventional technology shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B was also reduced by the same size, it is necessary to reduce the size by 67% in order to perform the reduced printing on the A4 size paper, which makes it difficult to see the characters. In addition to this problem, the paper is not fully used and there is a problem that the paper does not fit well.

Further, in the case of FIG. 8 (B), the same size reduction is easy by switching the resolution, but in the case of FIG. 8 (A), a pattern must be provided for each reduction ratio, and double management is required. In addition to the problem that it is necessary, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce figures and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printer device that prints data of an arbitrary size on a print medium of a desired size by effectively utilizing the size of the print medium.

[Means for solving the problem]

 FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

The present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 (A), includes a printer mechanism 1 capable of varying the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction,
The printer unit 1 has a control unit 2 for independently controlling the resolution of the printer mechanism 1 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction according to a reduction instruction, and the control unit 2 has the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the printer mechanism 1. The resolutions in the directions are made different so that the partial reduction printing is performed.

Further, according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is variable, and the printer mechanism 1 for printing on a cut medium and the printer mechanism 1 according to a reduction instruction. A printer that has a control unit 2 that independently controls the resolutions of the printer mechanism 1 in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction, and that prints continuous paper data from a higher level on the cut medium. The resolutions of the printer mechanism 1 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are made different from each other, and the continuous paper data is printed on the cut medium in a slightly reduced size.

[Action]

The present invention, in order to effectively utilize the size of the print medium,
Data of an arbitrary size is demagnified, that is, reduced in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

Further, in order to carry out the demagnification, a control unit 2 for independently controlling the resolutions of the printer mechanism 1 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is provided.

As a result, as shown in the example of FIG. 1 (B), the stock form data can be reduced in size by effectively utilizing A4 size paper by reducing the size of the horizontal 80% and the vertical 67%.

〔Example〕

(A) Description of Configuration of One Embodiment FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of essential parts of one embodiment of the present invention. An electronic device using a laser optical system for a printer mechanism. A photographic printer (laser printer) is shown.

In the figure, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 are designated by the same symbols, and 1 is the above-mentioned printer mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (A). , Laser light source
The light of 10 is collected by a collimator lens 11a, irradiated onto a polygon mirror 12a rotated by a spindle motor 12, and the photosensitive drum 13 is optically scanned through an imaging lens 11b and a reflection mirror 11c.

Around the photosensitive drum 13, a charging device 14, a developing device 15, a transfer charging device 16, a static eliminator 17a, and a cleaner 17b are arranged.
Paper pp on 18 is separated by separation roller 18a, and feed roller 1
It is sent to the transfer charger 16 by 8b, the paper pp after transfer is fixed by the fixing roller 19a, and sent to the stacker 19.

The photosensitive drum 13 is charged by the charger 14, and the laser optical system
The image is exposed by 11 and 12, developed by the developing device 15, and the developed image is transferred by the transfer charger 16 to the fed paper pp, and the static eliminator
The electricity is removed by 17a, cleaned by the cleaner 17b, reused, and the printing operation is continuously performed.

Returning to FIG. 2, 20 is a main processor, which receives print information (print magnification, print command, etc.) and print data from the host (host CPU) 3 and controls the printer as a whole, and 21 is a development control unit. And the print code is a letter,
What is converted into image data such as a figure, the overlay data is converted into overlay image data, which is expanded in the above-mentioned image memory (bitmap memory) 2a, 2a is the above-mentioned image memory, and is composed of the bitmap memory, The expanded image data (dot data) is stored.

A print control unit 22 is provided with a video clock in response to a print magnification instruction and a print start instruction from the main processor 20.
A device that reads out and outputs the image data of the image memory 2a in synchronization with VCL, and 23 is a mechanical unit controller, which is composed of a microprocessor, sends a synchronization signal to the print control unit 22, and also passes through the print control unit 22. Depending on the print magnification, 240dpi (actual size), 300dpi (80% equal reduction), 300dpi x 360dpi (unbalanced reduction), 360dpi (67% reduction)
It is an instruction to issue an instruction.

24 is a video clock generation circuit in accordance with an instruction of the mechanical section controller 23, T ₁ = 100ns, 300 if 240dpi instruction
For dpi, T ₂ = T ₁ × (240/300) × (240/300) = 64n
s, 300dpi / 360dpi instructions, T ₃ = T ₁ × (240/360) × (2
40/300) = 53.3ns, if 360dpi _{instruction, T 4 = T 1 × (} 240/36
0) × (240/360) = video clock VCL with a period of 44.4ns
Is generated to change the resolution in the main scanning direction.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a laser power control circuit, which changes the beam diameter according to an instruction from the mechanical controller 23,
As will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the laser light source is modulated and controlled by the video signal VDO assuming that the laser intensity is high for 240 dpi instruction, medium intensity for 300 dpi and low intensity for 300 × 360 dpi and 360 dpi.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the laser power control circuit 25 includes a power setting circuit 250 for setting the power in accordance with the resolution instruction of the mechanical controller 23, and a power setting circuit 250.
The comparison amplifier 251 and the comparison amplifier 2 for comparing the set power of 1 to the monitor output of the monitor diode of the laser light source 10.
It includes a power stabilization circuit 252 which stabilizes the power by changing the voltage applied to the laser light source 10 by the output of 51.

26 is a spindle reference clock generation circuit, 240dp
i, 300dpi, 300 / 360dpi, and 360dpi are used to control the rotation speed (scanning cycle) of the spindle motor 12 as follows to change the resolution in the sub-scanning direction.

240 dpi; scanning cycle T ₁ ′ = 400 μs, spindle rotation speed N ₁ = 60 / T ₁ ′ · Np = 18750 rpm, where Np is the number of faces of the polygon mirror 12a and is “8”.

300dpi; T ₂ ′ = 400μs × 240/300 = 320μs N ₂ ＝ 23437.5rpm 300 / 360dpi, 360dpi; T ₃ ′ = 400μ × 240/360 ＝ 266.6μs N ₃ ＝ 28125rpm Spindle reference clock generation circuit 26 According to the resolution instruction, the spindle reference clock SCL that can obtain the above-described rotation speeds N ₁ , N ₂ , and N ₃ is generated.

27 is a spindle drive circuit, which controls the rotation of the spindle motor 12 in synchronization with the spindle reference clock SCL. As shown in FIG. A PLL (phase lock) circuit 270 that synchronizes the output pulse with the spindle reference clock SCL and outputs a phase difference, a low-pass filter 271 that charges and discharges the output of the PLL circuit 270, and an output of the low-pass filter 271 is amplified, It has an amplifier 272 for driving the spindle motor 12.

Therefore, the resolution in the main scanning direction of the electrophotographic printer 1 can be changed by the cycle T of the video clock VCL,
The resolution in the sub-scanning direction can be changed by the rotation speed of the spindle motor 12, that is, the scanning cycle.

Then, the mechanical controller 23 is the same size (240dpi, 30
0dpi, 360dpi) and partial reduction (300 / 360dpi) according to the resolution instructions.

The host CPU 3 has a file 3a storing print data in the stock form format as shown in FIG.

(B) Description of operation of one embodiment FIG. 4 is an operation illustration of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of partial magnification reduction of one embodiment of the present invention.

The host CPU3 retrieves the print data in the stock form format from the file 3a, and the main processor 20
To the print information and print data.

The main processor 20 gives print data to the expansion control unit 21 and causes the image memory 2a to print the full-scale pattern file 4a.
(See FIG. 8) is used to develop the dot pattern as bitmap information.

Printer mechanism 1 is A3 size cut paper, A4 size cut paper, A4
It is possible to handle 3 types of cut paper.

The printing magnification from the host CPU 3 is given to the mechanical section controller 23 from the main processor 20 via the printing mechanism section 22.

The mechanical unit controller 23 sets the resolution of the given printing magnification.

When the printing magnification is the original size, that is, 240 dpi × 240 dpi, the mechanical controller 23 outputs a 240 dpi instruction to the video clock generation circuit 24, the laser power control circuit 25, and the spindle reference clock generation circuit 26.

Therefore, the period T of the video clock VCL is T ₁ (= 100ns)
For a long period of time, the set power of the laser power control circuit 25 is large, and the rotation speed N of the spindle motor 12 is N ₁ (= 18750rp
m) set to low rotation.

When the expansion into the image memory 2a is completed, the main processor 20 instructs the print control unit 22 to start printing.

As a result, the print control unit 22 controls the video clock VCL
The image memory 2a is read in accordance with the above, and a video signal is supplied to the power control circuit 25 to modulate and drive the laser light source 10.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), the resolution in the main scanning direction
Full-scale printing with a beam diameter of 240dpi and a resolution of 240dpi in the sub-scanning direction is performed. In Fig. 9, printing is on A3 size.

Also, if the print magnification is specified as 300dpi x 300dpi with a reduction of 80%, the mechanical controller 23 instructs the circuit 2 to print 300dpi.
Output to 4, 25 and 26.

Therefore, the period T of the video clock VCL is T ₂ (= 64ns)
In the middle cycle of, the set power of the laser power control circuit 25 is medium, and the rotation speed N of the spindle motor 12 is N ₂ (= 2343
7.5 rpm) is set to medium rotation.

As a result, similarly, the print controller 22 reads the image memory 2a according to the video clock VCL, supplies a video signal to the power control circuit 25, and modulates and drives the laser light source 10.

Therefore, within the beam diameter, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the resolution of 300 dpi in the main scanning direction and the resolution of 300 dpi in the sub scanning direction are 80 dpi.
Percentage reduction printing is performed.

 That is, in FIG. 9, the print is reduced to B4 size.

Furthermore, the printing magnification is 80% x 67%, and 300dpi x 36, which is a small partial reduction.
If 0dpi is specified, the mechanical controller 23 is 300 / 360dpi.
Is output to the circuits 24, 25 and 26.

Therefore, the period T of the video clock VCL is T ₃ (= 53.3n
In the short cycle of (s), the set power of the laser power control circuit 25 is small, and the rotation speed N of the spindle motor 12 is N ₃ (= 28125r
pm) is set to high rotation.

Similarly, after the image memory 2a has been expanded, the print control unit
22 reads out according to the video clock VCL, supplies a video signal to the power control circuit 25, and modulates and drives the laser light source 10.

At this time, if the laser power is set to 300 dpi, the shape after printing one dot is vertical / horizontal as shown in FIG. 4 (C).
It is ideal that the horizontal diameter is the same, but the printing is tight in the vertical direction.

Therefore, the laser power is made small so that the ratio of white and black in the vertical direction is the same. At this time, since the horizontal direction depends on the cycle of the video clock, the dot shape becomes an ellipse, and the dot shape corresponding to the resolution can be obtained.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4D, the resolution in the main scanning direction is 300d.
pi, printing is performed with a partial reduction of 80% × 67% of 360 dpi resolution in the sub-scanning direction.

As shown in Fig. 5, the width is 13.8 inches (= 350.52 mm) length
The print content of the 11-inch (= 279.4mm) stock form is 80% width, 66.6% height, 350.52 x 0.80 = 280.416mm,
The vertical size is 279.4 x 0.666 = 186.267 mm, which fits well on A4 size paper (297 mm x 210 mm).

Also, if you use a full A4 size paper effectively and the bottom margin is 5 mm, the top side is 18 mm free and you can secure the punch hole area as shown in the figure.

Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 5, even if the partial reduction is slight, there is no such unnaturalness, and since it is full of paper, it is rather easy to see.

Similarly, when the print magnification is designated as 67% equal to 360 dpi × 360 dpi, the cycle T of the video clock VCL is T ₄
At the shortest (= 44.4 ns), the laser power is set to a small value and the rotation speed N of the spindle motor 12 is set to a high rotation of N3, and similarly, 67% equal-magnification reduced printing of 360 × 360 dpi is performed.

(C) Description of Other Embodiments FIGS. 6 and 7 are configuration diagrams of another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are designated by the same symbols, and 15a is a developing roller, to which a developing bias voltage Vd is applied, 28 is a developing bias voltage switching circuit, which gives a resolution instruction from the mechanical controller 23, 240 dpi, 300 dpi, 300/36
The developing bias voltage Vd is switched to a lower one according to 0 dpi or 360 dpi.

In this example, the higher the resolution, the faster the scanning speed and the smaller the laser power for one dot to the photosensitive drum 13, so the developing bias voltage Vd is lowered to prevent the density from becoming low, and stable development is achieved. Guarantee.

Further, in FIG. 7, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6 are designated by the same symbols, and 29 is a drum charging control circuit. Yes, the charging voltage Vc of the charger 14 is switched to a higher one in accordance with the resolution instruction 240dpi, 300dpi, 300 / 360dpi, 360dpi.

In this example, in the case of the positive development method, the higher the resolution is, the faster the scanning speed is, and the laser power of one dot to the photosensitive drum 13 is smaller, so that the potential difference tends to be smaller.

Therefore, the charging voltage Vc is switched to a higher one, the density is prevented from becoming thin, and stable printing is realized.

(B) Description of another embodiment In the above-mentioned embodiment, with respect to the partial reduction, an example in which the data for stock form is printed on an A4 size cut sheet is shown, but other sizes may be used. Although 80 × 67% partial reduction has been described, other magnifications may be used.

Furthermore, the resolution is not limited to that of the embodiment and may be another one.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention can be modified in various ways according to the gist of the present invention, and these modifications are not excluded from the present invention.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

Since continuous paper data is unevenly reduced and printed on A4 size cut media that are smaller than continuous paper, a large number of stock form data that has already been created can be used on A4 size cut media that is smaller than that size. Can be printed.

The resolution of the printer mechanism in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is made different, and a control unit for reducing the partial magnification is provided.Therefore, the stock form data is cut on A4 size cut media smaller than that, and there is no nuisance of characters. Moreover, it is possible to print without wasteful margins.

Since the elliptical beam whose main scanning direction is the long axis and whose sub-scanning direction is the short axis is used for the partial scaling, the black-and-white ratio of the dots in both directions becomes the same, and it is possible to prevent the characters from being difficult to see.

Since it is executed on the printer side, it can be executed without changing the stock form data to the cut medium data.

[Brief description of drawings]

 FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of partial demagnification of one embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 6 and 7 are configuration diagrams of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanations of prior art. It is a figure. In the figure, 1 ... page printer (printer mechanism), 2 ... control unit (controller), 2a ... image memory (bitmap memory), 3 ... host CPU, 3a ... file, 22 ... print control unit , 23 …… Mechanical part controller.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical indication location G06K 15/12 C H04N 1/393 1/40 H04N 1/40 A (72) Inventor Yutaka Takenaka 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor Fumiaki Harada, 1015, Kamedotachu, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Fujitsu Limited (72) Inujiyama Seiji Inuyama Address 1015, within Fujitsu Limited (56) References JP 61-66465 (JP, A) JP 61-277262 (JP, A) Actual 61-74487 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A laser printer mechanism (1) for printing on an A4 cut medium with an elliptical beam having a variable main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction and having a major axis in the main scanning direction and a minor axis in the sub scanning direction. And controlling the resolution of the laser printer mechanism (1) to be different in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction so that continuous paper data from the higher order can be transferred to an A4 cut medium of a size smaller than the continuous paper in the sub scanning direction. And a control unit (2) for performing demagnification reduction printing for reducing the size smaller than the main scanning direction, and performing demagnification reduction printing by making the lateral direction of the continuous paper correspond to the longitudinal direction of the A4 cut medium. Printer device.