JPH08204924A - Device and method for outputting image and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To simplify the shift processing of an image area when printing any desired image area. CONSTITUTION: When segmenting any desired image at a host, it is segmented out of a boundary for the unit of a byte or word including the designated area and the amount of an excess extracted area is transmitted to a printer 1000 together with the image as an offset. At a shift number detecting part 1106, the deviation between the storage position of the image on a page memory 1105 and the boundary for the unit of a byte or word in the page memory is detected. Further, based on the value of that deviation and this offset, the number of pixels to be shifted for storing this segmented image at the designated position of the page memory is calculated. According to the calculated value, a shift executing part 1107 executes the shift of an image and stores that image in the page memory 1105. Thus, the image stored in the page memory is outputted by an engine part 1400.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output device and method and a printing system for outputting print information from an external device by printing or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image data includes various data such as character data and graphic data. Among these, image data in which color information and shading of an image are associated with bits is called image data or simply image. A unit of pixels forming an image, that is, a minimum unit is called a pixel. An image has a width and a height, and a unit amount having a height of 1, that is, one line is called a raster.

With recent application software, it is possible to easily perform processing such as enlarging an image on a display to an arbitrary size or cutting out only an arbitrary portion of the image.

Conventionally, in order to print an image enlarged to an arbitrary size on a display, there has been a method in which enlarged image data is generated on the host computer side and transferred to a printing device. The image data generated on the host computer side is stored in the memory, but since the memory usually has boundaries such as bytes (8 bits) and words, when the image data cut out from the memory is stored from the beginning of the boundary. However, unnecessary data (bits) are mixed in when the top of the raster is out of the boundary, so this unnecessary data (bits) is shifted and removed on the host computer side, and then the printing device Had been transferred to.

For an image in which an arbitrary portion is cut out, unnecessary portions other than the cut-out portion are cut out in boundary units from the image data before processing in order to reduce the data transfer amount, and the necessary image data is obtained. For unnecessary pixels mixed in the same boundary,
All unnecessary data on the left side of the raster was cut off by shifting to the left and then transferred to the printing device.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when the printing apparatus finally forms an image in a memory called a page memory, the image data is developed at a designated drawing position on the page memory. However, since the boundary as described above also exists in the page memory, the data had to be shifted again according to the drawing position.

That is, when transferring to the printing apparatus, the entire raster is shifted on the host computer side, and the raster is again shifted entirely for expansion to the page memory, resulting in overlapping shift processing. It adversely affected the processing speed of a series of prints.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and the number of pixels which has been conventionally shifted on the host computer side and the number of pixels which need to be shifted for expansion into the page memory are previously set. Compare and detect the minimum required number of shift pixels in a series of printing processes from the difference between the two, and in the host computer or printing device,
An object of the present invention is to provide a high-speed printing apparatus and print shift by eliminating duplication of shift processing by shifting by the number of detected pixels.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] and

In order to achieve the above object, the image output apparatus according to the present invention has the following structure. That is, an image output device for outputting an image based on data from an external device, the storage device including an input unit for inputting an offset amount included in an image and a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size. Means for detecting the difference between the edge of the image and the boundary between the memory units in the page memory, and the difference detected by the detecting means and the offset amount. Calculating means for calculating a shift amount that matches the boundary of the image data, shift means for shifting the image data by the amount calculated by the calculating means, and image data shifted by the shift means are stored in the page memory. An image storage unit and an output unit for outputting the image stored by the image storage unit are provided.

Alternatively, the image output device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is an image output device that outputs data based on data from an external device, and specifies a desired position on the page memory and a storage unit that includes a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size. Position specifying means for inputting, detecting means for detecting a difference between the position specified by the position specifying means and the boundary between the memory units, and difference for outputting the difference detected by the detecting means to the external device It is provided with output means and image output means for outputting an image from an external device.

Alternatively, the image output device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a designating unit that designates a desired image area stored in an image memory including a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, a region designated by the designating unit, and a region including the smallest memory unit including the region. And a storage unit including a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, and a position designation for inputting a desired position on the page memory. Means, second detecting means for detecting a second difference between the position designated by the position designating means and the boundary between the memory units, and the first difference and the second difference, A calculation unit that calculates a shift amount for storing the image in the designated position, a shift unit that shifts the image data by the amount calculated by the calculation unit, and a shift unit that shifts the image data. And and an output means for outputting the image.

Alternatively, the image output method of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an image output method for outputting an image based on data from an external device, which comprises an input step of inputting an offset amount included in an image, and a memory unit in a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size. A calculation step of detecting a difference between the boundary between the image and the edge of the image, and a calculation for calculating a shift amount for matching the image with the boundary between the memory units, from the difference detected by the detection step and the offset amount. A step, a shift step of shifting the image data by an amount calculated by the calculation step, and an image storing step of storing the image data shifted by the shift step in the page memory,
And an output step of outputting the image stored in the image storing step.

Alternatively, the image output method of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is an image output method for performing output based on data from an external device, and a storage step including a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, and designating a desired position on the page memory. A position specifying step of inputting, a detecting step of detecting a difference between the position specified by the position specifying step and the boundary between the memory units, and a difference of outputting the difference detected by the detecting step to the external device. An output step and an image output step of outputting an image from an external device are provided.

Alternatively, the image output method of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a designation step of designating a desired image area stored in an image memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, an area designated by the designation step, and an area composed of the smallest memory unit including the area. And a position specifying step of inputting a desired position on a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, and a position specifying step. A second detection step of detecting a second difference between the determined position and a boundary between the memory units, and the image is stored at the specified position from the first difference and the second difference. And a shift step of shifting the image data by the amount calculated by the calculation step, and an output step of outputting the image shifted by the shift step. That.

Alternatively, the printing system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in a printing system including a host device and a printing device connected to the host device, the host device is an area designating unit for designating a desired image area stored in an image memory including a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size. A first detection unit that detects a first difference between the region designated by the region designation unit and a region including the smallest memory unit including the region; and the first difference and the image. A transmission unit for transmitting to the printing device,
The printing device includes a storage unit including a page memory configured of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, an edge of an image received from a host device, and a second difference between a boundary between the memory units in the page memory. A calculation for calculating a shift amount that causes the image to match the boundary between the memory units, from the detection unit that detects the error, the second difference detected by the detection unit, and the first difference received from the host device. Means, shift means for shifting the image data by the amount calculated by the calculation means, and output means for outputting the image shifted by the shift means.

Alternatively, the printing system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in a printing system including a host device and a printing device connected to the host device, the host device is an area designating unit for designating a desired image area stored in an image memory including a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size. And first detection means for detecting a first difference between the area designated by the area designating means and the area consisting of the smallest memory unit including the area, and the image area designated by the area designating means. A position transmitting means for transmitting the position of recording the recording medium on a recording medium to the printing device; a receiving means for receiving a second difference from the printing device; and a first difference and a second difference from the receiving means. Calculating means for calculating a shift amount for storing the image in the designated position;
The printing apparatus includes a shift unit that shifts the image by the shift amount calculated by the calculation unit, and an image transmission unit that transmits the image shifted by the shift unit to a printing apparatus. Second storage means including a page memory composed of units, and a boundary between the position received by the position transmission means and the memory unit
The second detection means for detecting the difference between the two, the difference transmission means for transmitting the second difference to the host device, and the output means for outputting the image received from the host device.

[0017]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) Before describing the configuration of this embodiment, a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as "LB") suitable for applying this embodiment
P) will be described with reference to FIG. Needless to say, the printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer, and may be a printer of another printing method.

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

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer applied to this embodiment. This LBP is used for registering character patterns and fixed forms (form data) from a data source (not shown). I can do it.

In the figure, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores character information (character code) supplied from an externally connected host computer, form information, macro commands, and the like. A corresponding character pattern or form pattern is created in accordance with the above, and an image is formed on the recording paper which is a recording medium. Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged, and 1001 denotes an LBP10.
00 is a printer control unit that controls the entire computer and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. The control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs it to the laser driver 1002. Laser driver 1002
Is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003,
The laser beam 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 is switched on and off according to the input video signal.

The laser 1004 is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 1005 to scan the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. The latent image is developed by the developing unit 1007 around the electrostatic drum 1006 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 1008 attached to the LBP 1000, and is taken into the apparatus by a sheet feeding roller 1009 and conveyance rollers 1010 and 1011 and is then transferred to an electrostatic drum 1006. Supplied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the printing apparatus of this embodiment.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2000 denotes the printing apparatus 100.
0 is a host computer connected to the printer 100, and print information including print data and control codes is printed by the printing apparatus 100.
It outputs to 0. The printing apparatus 1000 is roughly divided into a formatter control unit 1100 and an interface 1.
200, output control unit 1300, printer engine unit 14
00. The formatter control unit 1100
The reception buffer 1101, the command determination unit 1102, the command analysis unit 1103, the command execution unit 1104, the page memory 1105, the shift number detection unit 1106, and the shift execution unit 1107. Receive buffer 1101
Is a storage unit that temporarily holds the print information received from the host computer 2000. Command discrimination unit 1
Reference numeral 102 identifies each print control command. If the print control command is other than an image drawing command, the print data is directly analyzed by the command analysis unit 1103 and executed by the command execution unit 1104. When the command determination unit 1102 determines that the print control command is an image drawing command, the command analysis unit 1103 analyzes the parameter, and then the shift number detection unit 1106 detects the number of pixels out of the boundary of the page memory. To do. The shift number detection unit 1106 detects a drawing position and a boundary of the page memory when expanded in the page memory, and detects the number of pixels deviating from the boundary.

The number of pixels detected by the shift number detection unit 1106 is notified to the command analysis unit 1103,
The shift execution unit 1107 shifts the image data. The shift execution unit 1107 shifts the image data for each raster by the number of pixels passed from the command analysis unit 1103. The command analysis unit 1103 analyzes each print control command. The command analyzed by the command analysis unit 1103 is an intermediate result obtained by analyzing the print data, and is converted by the command execution unit 1104 into an intermediate code in a format that is easier to process. Command execution unit 1104
Then, each command is executed by this intermediate code, and commands relating to drawing and printing are sequentially expanded in the page memory 1105.

On the other hand, when the command analysis unit 1103 determines that the image data is a simple bitmap, the image data is expanded in the page memory 1105 as it is. Note that a general formatter control unit 1100 is a CPU, R
It is configured by a computer system using OM, RAM and the like. The output control unit 1300 converts the content of the page memory 1105 into a video signal and transfers the image to the printer engine unit 1400. The printer engine unit 1400 is a printing mechanism unit for forming a permanent visible image on the recording paper by using the received video signal, and has the configuration shown in FIG.

Next, an explanation will be given of the whole print control processing procedure in the present embodiment in the printing apparatus thus constructed with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. S301 to S304 in FIG. 3, S401 to S411 in FIG. 4, and S501 to S50 in FIG.
Reference numeral 7 indicates each processing step.

FIG. 3 shows the main processing from the start to the end of the operation of the printing apparatus 1000.

First, in step S301, the print data sent from the host computer 2000 is received and stored in the reception buffer 1101. Next, in step S302, the print data stored in the reception buffer is read out, and then in step S303, drawing processing is performed. Then, in step S304, it is determined whether or not a print end command is received, or whether or not the print data is ended. If the print is ended, the print operation is ended. If printing has not ended, the processing from step S301 is repeated.

FIG. 4 shows the drawing process corresponding to step S303 of FIG. This process is a process for actually performing the printing process.

First, in step S401, the command analysis unit 1103 checks whether or not the data is a paper discharge command. If the data is a paper discharge command, the flow advances to step S406 to perform processing. If it is not the paper discharge command in step S401, it is determined whether or not the next analyzed command is a command for expanding the page memory such as character printing or graphic drawing (step S402). If not, the process proceeds to step S405. , Execute the command immediately.
When the process proceeds from step S402 to step S409, it is determined whether the print control command received in step S409 is an image drawing command. If it is not an image drawing command, the process proceeds to step S403, and if it is an image drawing command, it is subsequently determined whether or not there is an offset designation (step S410). Here, the offset is the number of unnecessary pixels mixed on the left side of the data to be drawn in the image data, and is given as a parameter of the image drawing command. If the offset is not designated, the process proceeds to step S403, and if the offset is designated, the offset process is performed in step S411. Also in the case of proceeding to step S411, the process also proceeds to step S403. In step S403, an intermediate code in a form that facilitates command execution processing is generated. Upon receiving this intermediate code, the command execution unit 1104 performs expansion processing to the page memory 1105 (step S404), and after the expansion processing is completed, the processing shown in FIG.
Returning to step S302, the data analysis process is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S401 that the instruction is a paper discharge instruction, the output control unit 1300 changes the contents of the page memory 1105 to the printer engine unit 1400.
To a video signal and output the image transfer (step S406). In the printer engine unit 1400,
A permanent visible image is formed on the recording paper by the received video signal and printing is performed (step S407). And step S4
When the result printed in 08 is discharged, the print control process for each page is ended.

FIG. 5 shows the offset processing used in FIG. This process is a process for shifting image data.

First, in step S501, the parameters (including the offset) of the image drawing command are read, and in step S502, the drawing position of the image data when expanded on the page memory and the boundary of the page memory are compared. Next, in step S503, the number of pixels out of the boundary of the page memory is detected, and step S50
Go to 4. In step S504, the detected number of pixels is compared with the designated offset value, and the number of pixels required to be shifted is calculated from the difference between the two (step S50).
5). After that, it is determined whether or not the number of pixels calculated in step S506 is 0. If 0, that is, if the image data is directly expanded in the page memory without performing any shift, it coincides with the boundary of the page memory. Since this is the case, the process ends as it is.

On the other hand, if the shift pixel is not 0 in step S506, the shift is performed for all rasters in step S507, and then the process is terminated.

FIG. 11 shows an example of image data.
The image specified by the application is (11a)
If the boundary of the memory in which it is stored does not match the end of the specified area even in the area d, the specified image is cut to the boundary including the extra area a. Become. This extra area a is an offset.

The movement of the entire printing apparatus has been described above.
These processes are realized by the computer system of the formatter control unit 1100.

By printing out a binary image using the printer as in this embodiment, it is possible to save the labor of twice, that is, the shift of the image data in the host and the shift of the image data in the printer, and a high-speed print output. Can be realized.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a printer control system showing an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) will be described as an example. In addition, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention can be applied to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which is based on a document processing program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3,
A CPU 1 that executes document processing in which tables (including spreadsheets and the like) are mixed is provided, and the CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 4. Also, this ROM3
The program ROM stores the control program of the CPU 1 and the like, and the font ROM of the ROM 3 stores the font data used in the above document processing.
The data ROM 3 stores various data used when performing the above document processing and the like.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key inputs from the keyboard 9 and a pointing device (not shown). 6 is a CRT controller (CRTC), which is a CRT display (CR
T) Control the display of 10. A memory controller (MC) 7 controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files and the like. A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1000 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1000. The CPU 1 executes, for example, an outline font rasterizing process on the display information RAM set in the RAM 2 to display the CRT.
It enables WYSIWYG on 10. Also, C
The PU 1 opens various windows registered based on commands designated by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1000, a printer CPU 12 includes various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. Access to the printer is comprehensively controlled, and an image signal as output information is output to the printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface 16. In addition, the program RO of this ROM 13
In M, C as shown in the flow chart of the first embodiment
You may memorize | store the control program etc. of PU12. ROM
The font ROM of 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the above output information, and the data ROM of the ROM 13 is a host in the case of a printer without an external memory 14 such as a hard disk or an IC card. It stores information used on the computer. CPU1
2 is capable of performing communication processing with the host computer via the input unit 18, and is configured to be able to notify the host computer 3000 of information and the like in the printer.

Reference numeral 19 is a RAM which functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. of the CPU 12, and is constructed so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). RAM1
9 is an output information expansion area, an environment data storage area, and an NVR
Used for AM and so on. The hard disk (H
Access to the external memory 14 such as D) and IC card is controlled by the memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data and the like. Further, reference numeral 18 denotes the above-mentioned operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display and the like are arranged. Further, the number of external memories described above is not limited to one, but at least one.
In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages may be connected to each other. Furthermore, NVRAM not shown
The printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012 may be stored.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus of this embodiment by means of functional blocks.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 2000 denotes the printing apparatus 100.
0 is a host computer connected to the printer 100, and print information including print data and control codes is printed by the printing apparatus 100.
It outputs to 0. The printing apparatus 1000 is roughly divided into a formatter control unit 1100, a bidirectional interface 1200, an output control unit 1300, and a printer engine unit 1400. Formatter control unit 1
Reference numeral 100 denotes a reception buffer 1101 and a command discrimination unit 11
02, command analysis unit 1103, command execution unit 110
4, a page memory 1105, and a shift number detecting unit 1106. The reception buffer 1101 is a storage unit that temporarily holds the print information received from the host computer 2000. The command discrimination unit 1102 discriminates each print control command. If the print control command is other than the shift number request command, the print data is directly analyzed by the command analysis unit 1103.
It is executed by the command execution unit 1104. When the command determination unit 1102 determines that the print control command is a shift number request command, the command analysis unit 1103 analyzes the parameter, and then the shift number detection unit 1106 determines the number of pixels out of the boundary of the page memory. Detect.

The shift number detecting unit 1106 detects a drawing position and a boundary of the page memory when the page memory is expanded, and detects the number of pixels deviating from the boundary. The pixel number detected by the shift number detection unit 1106 is notified to the command analysis unit 1103, and transferred from the command analysis unit 1103 to the host computer 2000 through the bidirectional interface 1200. The command analysis unit 1103 analyzes each print control command. The command analyzed by the command analysis unit 1103 is an intermediate result of analysis of print data, and is converted into an intermediate code in a format that is easier to process in the command execution unit 1104. The command execution unit 1104 executes each command by this intermediate code, and the commands related to drawing and printing are sequentially expanded in the page memory 1105.

On the other hand, if the data format determination unit 1106 determines that the data is a simple bitmap, the image data is expanded in the page memory 1105 as it is.
Note that in general, the formatter control unit 1100 uses the CP
It is configured by a computer system using U, ROM, RAM and the like. The output control unit 1300 converts the content of the page memory 1105 into a video signal and transfers the image to the printer engine unit 1400. The printer engine unit 1400 is a printing mechanism unit for forming a permanent visible image on the recording paper by using the received video signal.

Next, in the printing apparatus constructed as described above, the overall print control processing means in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13. . S801 to S in FIG.
806, S901 to S904 in FIG. 9, S1001 to S1008 in FIG. 10, and S120 in FIG.
1 to S1208, S1301 to S130 in FIG.
Reference numeral 3 indicates each processing step.

FIG. 8 shows the main processing from the start to the end of the operation of the printing apparatus 1000.

First, in step S801, the print data sent from the host computer 2000 is received and stored in the reception buffer 1101. Next, in step S802, the print data stored in the reception buffer is read out, and in step S803, the command determination unit 1102 determines whether the print control command is a shift number request command. If it is a shift number request command, step S80
After performing the shift number notification processing in step 4, step S
At 805, drawing processing is performed. If the print control command is other than the shift number request command in step S803,
The process directly proceeds to the drawing process of step S805. After performing the drawing process, it is determined in step S806 whether a print end command has been received or whether print data has ended, and if printing has ended, the printing operation ends. If printing has not ended, the processing from step S801 is repeated.

FIG. 9 shows the shift number notification process corresponding to step S804 in FIG. This process is a process of notifying the host computer of the number of pixels to be shifted when the page memory is expanded.

First, in step S901, the parameter of the shift number request command is read to detect the drawing position. Next, in step S902, the drawing position is compared with the boundary of the page memory, and in step S903, the number of pixels out of the boundary is detected. After that, step S90
In step 4, the number of pixels detected in step S903 is notified to the host computer, and the process ends.

FIG. 10 shows the drawing process used in FIG. This process is a process for actually performing the printing process.

First, in step S1001, the command analysis unit 1103 checks whether or not the data is a paper discharge command. If the data is a paper discharge command, the flow advances to step S1006 to perform processing. If it is not the paper discharge command in step S1001, it is determined whether the next analyzed command is a command for expanding the page memory such as character printing or graphic drawing (step S1002). If not, the process proceeds to step S1005. , Execute the command immediately. Also, from step S1002 to step S100
If the process proceeds to step 3, an intermediate code having a form that facilitates command execution processing is generated. Upon receiving this intermediate code, the command execution unit 1104 performs expansion processing to the page memory 1105 (step S1004), and after completion of the expansion processing, the flow returns to step S802 in FIG. 8 to repeat the data analysis processing.

If it is determined in step S1001 that the instruction is a paper discharge instruction, the output control unit 1300 converts the contents of the page memory 1105 into a video signal for the printer engine unit 1400, and transfers and outputs the image (step S1006). The printer engine unit 1400 prints the received video signal by forming a permanent visible image on a recording sheet (step S1007). And step S10
When the result printed in 08 is ejected, the print control processing for each page ends.

The operation of the printing apparatus has been described above, but these processes are realized by the computer system of the formatter controller 1100.

FIG. 12 shows the main processing from the start to the end of the printing operation of the host computer 2000.

First, in step S1201, the drawing data is received from the application. In step S1202, it is determined whether the drawing data is image data. If it is not image data, the process proceeds to step S1205 and immediately converted into a print control command.

On the other hand, in the case of image data, it is determined whether or not there is further offset, that is, whether or not unnecessary pixels are mixed on the left side of each raster of the received image data (step S1203). If there is no offset, the process proceeds to step S1205, and if there is an offset, the process proceeds to step S1204 to perform offset processing. When the offset process is completed in step S1204, the process proceeds to step S1205. In step S1205, the drawing data received from the application is converted into a print control command, and in step S12
In step 06, the print control command is transferred to the printing apparatus.
After that, in step S1207, it is determined whether or not the drawing data from the application has ended. If the drawing data has ended, the process ends, and if not ended, step S1201.
Repeat the process from.

FIG. 13 shows an offset process corresponding to step S1204 of FIG.

First, in step S1301, a shift number request command is transferred to the printing apparatus. After that, step S1302
In step S1302, it is determined whether or not the response from the printing device is returned, and if not, until there is a response.
Repeat the judgment of. If a response from the printing apparatus is returned in step S1302, step S1303
Proceed to. In step S1303, the number of pixels that need to be shifted is calculated from the difference between the number of shifts notified by the printing device and the offset of the image data. After that, in step S1304, shift processing is performed on all rasters by the calculated pixels, and the processing ends.

Next, a specific example of the shift number notification process in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, a is an unnecessary pixel (offset) mixed in the image data passed from the application, and is a deviation from the boundary caused by cutting out the image or scaling. b is a pixel out of the boundary of the page memory for developing the image, c is a pixel that needs to be shifted, d is image data to be drawn, p
Is the page memory byte boundary.

First, from the application (11a)
As described above, the image data in which the unnecessary pixel a is mixed is passed to the pixel d to be drawn. If this image data is expanded in the page memory of the printing device as it is according to the drawing position without being shifted,
It becomes like (11b). In (11b), the left edge of the image data to be actually drawn is shifted from the boundary p of the page memory to the right by b, so that c (= a-
It is enough to shift only b). In this embodiment,
When a shift number request command is sent from the host computer to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus notifies the host computer of the amount of deviation b from the boundary, and in response to this, the host computer shifts to the left by c for all rasters. To do. As a result, image data such as (11c) is obtained. After that, the image data is transferred to the printing device by the image drawing command. The printing apparatus expands the received data to the page memory without paying attention to the boundary of the page memory. As a result of deployment,
Since the boundary of the page memory and the left end of the image data match as in (11d), it is possible to develop the page memory in the printing apparatus without performing any shift processing.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 15 is a flowchart of this embodiment realized by the program ROM 3 of FIG. 6 in the second embodiment. One example of the offset process corresponding to step S1204 of the flowchart of FIG. 12 in the second embodiment. This is an example. In the present embodiment, the main processing from the start to the end of the operation is represented by the flowchart of FIG. 12, so the description thereof will be omitted. S1501 to S1506 in FIG. 15 indicate processing steps.

First, in step S1501, it is determined whether the image data needs to be rotated orthogonally.
The orthogonal rotation here means 90 °, 180 °, 2
This is a 70 ° rotation, and whether or not to rotate at a right angle is determined by information from the application. If orthogonal rotation is necessary, the process proceeds to step S1502, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1503. When the process proceeds to step S1502, it is further determined whether the rotation is 90 ° or 270 °, and the rotation is 90 ° or 2
If the rotation is 70 °, the shift process is not performed and the process is ended.

On the other hand, if it is not rotated by 90 ° or 270 °, the process proceeds to step S1503. In step S1503, the shift number request command is transferred to the printing apparatus, and step S1
At 504, the printer response is awaited. Step S1504 is repeated until there is a response from the printing device, and if there is a response, the process proceeds to step S1505, and the number of pixels that need to be shifted is calculated from the difference between the shift number notified by the printing device and the offset of the image data. After that, in step S1506, shift processing is performed on all rasters by the calculated pixels, and the processing ends.

On the side of the printing apparatus, a parameter for performing orthogonal rotation is received together with the image data, and the image is rotated and printed out.

FIG. 14 shows a concrete example of the processing of image data at the time of 90 ° rotation or 270 ° rotation in this embodiment. In FIG. 14, a is an offset and d is image data to be drawn. (14a) is image data when 90 ° rotation processing is performed. In the case of 90 ° rotation, each raster is at right angles to the main scanning direction of the printing apparatus, and in order to draw the image of (14a), the portion d is read from the top in the main scanning direction in the printing apparatus. When the drawing of the parts of d is finished, the offset part of a is finally skipped. (14b) is image data when 270 ° rotation processing is performed. Even in the case of 270 ° rotation, each raster is at right angles to the main scanning direction of the printing apparatus, and the first a is drawn to draw the image of (14b).
The offset portion is skipped, and then the portion d is read in from the top in the main scanning direction for drawing. That is, (1
In both 4a) and (14b), the offset a is skipped instead of being shifted and drawing is performed.

By shifting the image data in this way, the shift processing can be omitted altogether when the orthogonal rotation processing of the image is included.

[0069]

[Other Embodiments] In the first embodiment, the entire raster is always shifted by the number of pixels calculated from the difference between the number of pixels out of the boundary of the page memory and the specified offset. If the number of bytes matches when converted into, the process may be switched to the skip processing instead of the shift.

Further, when the calculated number of bits is larger than the byte boundary, it is possible to skip the reading in byte units and perform the shift processing on the remaining bits.

In the second embodiment, the information notified from the printing device is the number of pixels that are out of the boundary of the page memory, and the number of pixels that actually needs to be shifted is calculated on the host computer side. It is also possible to specify an offset in the parameter, calculate the number of pixels that actually need to be shifted in the printing apparatus, and notify the host computer of this.

In the third embodiment, the image data received from the application is transferred to the printing device as it is at the time of 90 ° and 270 ° rotation, but when the rotation processing is performed on the host computer side, the offset amount is set on the host computer side. Each raster of may be skipped.

In the second and third embodiments, the host computer, after transferring the shift number request command to the printing apparatus, suspends other processing until a response from the printing apparatus, but waits for the response. During this period, the processing of commands other than image drawing may be performed first.

Further, in the first, second and third embodiments, the offset pixels are shifted to the necessary minimum, and the remaining unnecessary pixels are directly expanded in the page memory. However, they are received from the application program. When the unnecessary pixel of the image data is not a white pixel but has an arbitrary density or color, a process of rewriting the remaining unnecessary pixel to a white pixel may be added before or after the shift.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the required number of shift pixels is determined by the boundary of the page memory and the number of unnecessary pixels of the image. When the boundary of the video signal exists, the shift may be performed in advance including the boundary of the video signal.

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

[0077]

As described above, according to the image output apparatus, method and printing system of the present invention, the difference between the image area and the original target image included in the designated image, and the output In order to reduce the number of times the image is shifted and output the image at high speed, by summing the differences between the memory unit boundaries and the differences that occur when storing in the page memory when performing the image shift You can

[0078]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a structure of a laser beam printer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a print control procedure according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the drawing process shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of offset processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer control system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a printing control procedure on the printing apparatus side according to the second embodiment.

9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of shift number notification processing shown in FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the drawing process shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of image drawing in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a print control procedure on the host computer side according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of offset processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of offset processing according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of offset processing according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 system bus 5 KBC 6 CRTC 7 MC 8 PRTC 9 KB 10 CRT 11 external memory 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 external memory 15 system bus 16 printing unit interface 17 printing unit 18 input unit 19 RAM 20 MC

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An image output device for outputting an image based on data from an external device, the input device inputting an offset amount included in an image, and a page memory including a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size. The storage unit including the storage unit, the detection unit that detects a difference between an edge of the image and a boundary between memory units in the page memory, and the difference detected by the detection unit and the offset amount. A calculation unit that calculates a shift amount that matches a boundary between memory units, a shift unit that shifts the image data by the amount calculated by the calculation unit, and the image data that is shifted by the shift unit is the page memory. And an image storage unit for storing the image stored in the image storage unit, and an output unit for outputting the image stored by the image storage unit. Power equipment. 2. The offset amount is an amount of an image included in a designated area as an inseparable area from the image area when the desired image area is designated. Printing device. 3. An image output device for outputting data based on data from an external device, the storage device including a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, and a desired position on the page memory. Position detecting means for inputting, a detecting means for detecting a difference between the position specified by the position specifying means and a boundary between the memory units, and a difference detected by the detecting means to the external device. An image output device comprising: a difference output device for outputting and an image output device for outputting an image from an external device. 4. The image output device according to claim 3, wherein the image from the external device is an image that matches a boundary between the memory units. 5. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the image output unit prints out an image on a recording sheet. 6. Designating means for designating a desired image area stored in an image memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, area designated by the designating means, and minimum memory unit including the area. Detecting means for detecting a first difference from a region consisting of a memory, a storage means including a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, and an input for designating a desired position on the page memory. Position specifying means, second position detecting means for detecting a second difference between the position specified by the position specifying means, and the boundary between the memory units, the first difference and the second difference From the above, a calculating means for calculating a shift amount for storing the image in the designated position, a shift means for shifting the image data by the amount calculated by the calculating means, and a shift means by the shift means. An image output apparatus characterized by comprising output means for outputting the shifted image, a. 7. The image output device according to claim 6, wherein the image output unit prints out an image. 8. The conversion means for rotating and converting the image is further provided, and the shift means performs the shift when the rotation angle is neither 90 ° nor 270 °. The image output device according to 6 or 7. 9. An image output method for outputting an image based on data from an external device, comprising an input step of inputting an offset amount included in an image, and a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size. In the detection step of detecting the difference between the boundary between the memory units and the edge portion of the image in, the shift amount for matching the image with the boundary between the memory units is calculated from the difference detected by the detection step and the offset amount. A calculation step of calculating, a shift step of shifting the image data by the amount calculated in the calculation step, an image storing step of storing the image data shifted in the shift step in the page memory, and the image storing An output step of outputting the image stored by the step, and an image output method. 10. The offset amount is an amount of an image included in a designated area as an inseparable area from the image area when a desired image area is designated. Printing method. 11. An image output method for outputting based on data from an external device, comprising: a storage step including a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size; and a desired position on the page memory. A position specifying step of inputting, a detecting step of detecting a difference between the position specified by the position specifying step and the boundary between the memory units, and a difference detected by the detecting step to the external device. An image output method comprising: a difference output step of outputting and an image output step of outputting an image from an external device. 12. The image output method according to claim 11, wherein the image from the external device is an image that matches a boundary between the memory units. 13. The image output method according to claim 9, wherein the image output step prints out an image on a recording sheet. 14. A designating step of designating a desired image area stored in an image memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, an area designated by the designating step, and a minimum memory unit including the area. A first detection step of detecting a first difference from a region consisting of, a position specifying step of inputting a desired position on a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, and the position specifying A second detection step of detecting a second difference between the position designated by the step and the boundary between the memory units, and the designated position of the image from the first difference and the second difference. A calculation step for calculating a shift amount for storing in the storage step, a shift step for shifting the image data by the amount calculated in the calculation step, and an output step for outputting the image shifted by the shift step. And an image output method comprising: 15. The image output method according to claim 14, wherein the image output step prints out an image. 16. The image forming apparatus further comprises a conversion step of rotating and converting the image, wherein the shift step performs the shift when the angle of rotation is neither 90 ° nor 270 °. 14. The image output method according to 14 or 15. 17. A printing system including a host device and a printing device connected to the host device, wherein the host device specifies a desired image area stored in an image memory including a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size. Area designating means, first sensing means for sensing a first difference between the area designated by the area designating means and a region including the smallest memory unit, and the first difference and An image and a transmission unit for transmitting the image to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus, a storage unit including a page memory configured from a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size, the end of the image received from the host device, Detection means for detecting a second difference from the boundary between memory units in the page memory, a second difference detected by the detection means, and a first difference received from the host device. A calculation unit that calculates a shift amount that causes the image to match the boundary between the memory units, a shift unit that shifts the image data by the amount calculated by the calculation unit, and an image that is shifted by the shift unit. A printing system comprising: an output unit that outputs 18. A printing system including a host device and a printing device connected to the host device, wherein the host device specifies a desired image area stored in an image memory including a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size. The area designating means, a first detecting means for detecting a first difference between the area designated by the area designating means and the area including the smallest memory unit, and the area designating means Position transmitting means for transmitting the position of recording the image area on the recording medium to the printing device, receiving means for receiving a second difference from the printing device, the first difference and the second difference And a shift means for shifting the image by the shift amount calculated by the calculating means, and a shift means for calculating the shift amount for storing the image in the designated position. Image transmitting means for transmitting the image shifted by the stage to the printing device, wherein the printing device receives by the position transmitting means, a storage means including a page memory composed of a plurality of memory units of a predetermined size. Second detecting means for detecting a second difference between the position and the boundary between the memory units, difference transmitting means for transmitting the second difference to the host device, and outputting an image received from the host device And an output unit for performing the printing.