JPH09164739A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily print tint blocks on a plain paper and at the same time, create a print image. SOLUTION: If an instruction for tint block printing is given by a host computer, a tint block data development control part 3 selectively reads a unit tint block printing pattern from unillustrated CG and repeatedly writes a tint block printing pattern in overlay frame memory 6 in accordance with the development control by the tint block printing pattern development control part 3, and develops print data on the tint block printing pattern for the repetitious development of a figured texture pattern into overlay frame memory 6. After that, a form data is developed (overwrite) into overlay frame memory 6 in accordance with the control by a form development control part 4. Further, the image data which is output from the host computer is developed into data frame memory 7 in accordance with the control by a print data control part 5. Next, the data developed into overlay frame memory 6 and data frame memory 7 in accordance with the printing control by an overlay control part 8 is synthesized. Consequently, it is possible to print the tint block printing pattern and at the same time, the print the form data or the image data by a printing part 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of background pattern printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art So-called securities such as checks, stock certificates, bills, etc. are provided with a ground pattern in which certain characters and symbols are continuous by tint block printing. Today, forms with such a ground pattern are used for financially important documents such as securities mentioned above, so let's print by printing on the paper with such a ground pattern. In such a case, it is necessary to purchase a sheet of paper on which a ground pattern has been printed beforehand.

Further, in order to emphasize the importance of transaction documents such as various invoices, receipts, invoices, and correspondence documents within the company, or to distinguish them from other documents, a sheet with a tint block print is used. It has a wide range of uses. 7 It should be noted that the background pattern can be printed on the sheet by application software for a personal computer, but it is not the original tint block printing. That is, a pattern of a ground pattern is made up for one page of paper by using a function such as shading, the pattern is temporarily stored, then read out as required, and the print data is overwritten.

[0004]

As described above, in the prior art,
When applying images such as letters, symbols, and graphics with the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing,
It was necessary to purchase the paper on which the ground pattern was applied in advance by the tint block printing. This made it inconvenient and required the purchase of expensive paper.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a printing apparatus capable of printing a tint block by the printing apparatus itself and easily performing tint block printing using plain paper and simultaneously producing a print image. Is to provide.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an input means for designating and inputting a unit tint block print pattern,
The unit copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print pattern is repeatedly output to the first image memory, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print image information generating means for expanding the number of times to fill the predetermined print area, and the image data corresponding to the print information input from the higher-level device are stored in the second image memory. This can be achieved by providing a printing apparatus that includes a print image generation unit that develops the print data and a print output unit that combines and prints out the image data stored in the first and second image memories.

With this structure, the tint block print data in which the same tint block print pattern is repeated is expanded in the first image memory, and the image data corresponding to the print information (image data) is expanded in the second image memory. By overlay printing both data, it is possible to print the image data simultaneously with the tint block printing.

The first image memory and the second image memory may be composed of a single image memory, and the memory can be saved by such a structure. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print image information is, for example, color information. Therefore, in this case, the first image memory for storing the repeatedly developed tint block print pattern is, for example, yellow (Y),
A storage unit for each color of magenta (M) and cyan (C) is provided, and the same color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) is also stored in the second image memory in which the image data is expanded. It is possible to print an image including a color tint block print pattern by creating print data combined for each color by the print output unit by having a storage unit for each.

Further, the print output means is configured to print out the image data expanded in the second image memory, for example. With this configuration, even when the image data and the tint block print pattern overlap with respect to the same dot, the image data can be preferentially output to the printing unit. Further, waste of toner can be prevented by performing print processing in this way.

[0010]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the printing apparatus of this embodiment. The printing apparatus used in the description of this embodiment is a printing apparatus capable of form overlay printing.

Referring to FIG. 1, the printing apparatus includes an output data receiving unit 1, a command control unit 2, a tint block data development control unit 3, a form development control unit 4, a print data control unit 5, an overlay frame memory 6, a data frame memory 7, The overlay control unit 8 and the printing unit 9 are included. The output data receiving unit 1 receives print information output from a host computer (not shown). This print information output from the host computer includes previously output form data and form data such as numerical values and characters to be written in this form data. The output data receiving unit 1 outputs the input print information to the command control unit 2.

The command control unit 2 analyzes the command included in the print information and executes the process instructed by the command.
The print information also includes a character code, and the command control unit 2 also outputs dot pattern data corresponding to the character code. From the analysis result, the command control unit 2 outputs the print information to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data development control unit 3 when it determines that the input print information is the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data, and outputs the print information when it determines that the input print information is the form data. The print information is output to the form development control unit 4, and when the print data is determined to be print data, the print information is output to the print data control unit 5.

The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data development control section 3 stores unit copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print information (copy-forgery-inhibited pattern development text) sent from a host computer (not shown) or input through an operation key (not shown) in the development control section 3. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print pattern is registered and stored in the unit copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print information registration memory, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print pattern of a predetermined unit is repeatedly output based on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print information registered in the unit copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print information registration memory according to the designation of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print information. , The continuous tint block printing pattern is developed in the overlay frame memory 6. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print pattern of the above-mentioned predetermined unit is a character such as "WORLD BANK", and such a unit character is repeatedly output. Further, the form development control unit 4 is a control unit that creates a table or a figure based on the form data at the time of form overlay printing. Further, the print data control unit 5 is a development control unit of image data to be printed on the tint block printing, and develops so-called actual data at the time of printing in the data frame memory 7.

On the other hand, the overlay frame memory 6 is a memory for expanding the tint block data output from the tint block data development control unit 3 and the form data output from the form development control unit 4. The data frame memory 7 is a memory for expanding print data output from the print data control unit 5. The overlay frame memory 6 and the data frame memory 7 each have a memory capacity capable of developing print data for, for example, one page of paper, and use yellow (Y) and magenta for performing color printing processing based on the principle of subtractive color mixing. (M), cyan (C), three colors, and black (B) for monochrome printing have corresponding memory areas. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a memory configuration common to each of the overlay frame memory 6 and the data frame memory 7.

The print processing operation of the printing apparatus having the above configuration will be described. First, the overall printing process of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In order to print the image data by performing the tint block printing, first, the host computer 10 outputs a signal instructing the tint block printing designation 12 to the printing device 11, and the tint block printing designation is made to the printing device 11. It should be noted that this designation may be performed by operating a key provided on the printing device 11. Next, if there is form data, the form data is output to the printing device 11 as the form information 13. The printing device 11 reads the tint block print pattern based on the above-mentioned tint block print designation, and creates composite data combined with the form data in the overlay frame memory 6. After that, the image data, which is the output information 14 from the application software used in the host computer 10, is output to the printing device 11, and the bitmap data corresponding to the data frame memory 7 is expanded. Finally, the composite data created in the overlay frame memory 6 by the print control process of the overlay controller 8 and the bitmap data expanded in the data frame memory 7 are form overlay composited, and printing based on the composite data is performed.

Each processing will be specifically described based on the above basic processing operation. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of writing a tint block print pattern in the overlay frame memory 6 based on a tint block print instruction. First, when there is a tint block printing instruction from the above-mentioned host computer 10, reset processing of various control flags and counters in the printing device 11 is performed (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). Next, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern development text stored in the unit copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print information registration memory is selected and read according to the input from the host computer or the operation panel, and the character font data corresponding to this is selected by a character generator (not shown). It is read from CG) and expanded in the overlay frame memory 6 (ST2). Here, three pieces of information are set in advance in the tint block developed text, and unit tint block print pattern information,
These are three pieces of information, which are development pattern selection information and color designation information. As the unit tint block print text information (), for example, text data representing a unit character such as “WORLD BANK” is registered and stored in the unit tint block print information registration memory.

As the development pattern, for example, FIG.
A plurality of types of information defining the expansion address order for creating the various patterns shown in FIG. 3 are stored in advance in the tint block data expansion control unit 3, and a predetermined expansion pattern is generated according to the input expansion pattern selection information (). The addressing information to be selected is selected. In the following explanation,
In the above-described expansion processing (ST2), the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data expansion control unit 3 sets "WORLD BAN" as the unit copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print pattern.
It is assumed that pattern characters "K" are sequentially generated.

First, the first character pattern "W" is read from the CG according to the designation of the unit tint block print text information, and is developed in the overlay frame memory. Then, the number of inter-character dots is added to the current horizontal address ( ST3), it is determined whether the current horizontal address exceeds the horizontal size of the paper (ST4).
In this case, the current horizontal address is the horizontal direction of the overlay frame memory 6 indicated by the current pointer (X direction if the memory area of the overlay frame memory 6 is represented by the XY axis).
7 is added to this point position, and it is determined whether this position (current horizontal address) exceeds the horizontal size of the paper. Here, the concept of the above processing will be described with reference to FIG.
If the pointer is located at, the pointer moves to the position p2 by adding the above-described inter-character dot number P ′, and the p
It is determined whether the point position (current horizontal address) of 2 exceeds the horizontal size of the paper.

In the above example, the point position of p2 (current horizontal address) does not exceed the horizontal size of the paper (S
T4 is N (no), and then it is determined whether the expanded text ends (ST5). If the expanded text has not ended, the process returns to the above process (ST2) and the expansion process of the character next to the expanded text is sequentially executed. However, when the expanded text has completed all characters (up to "K" in the example) (ST5 is Y
(Yes)), the number of dots between tint blocks (P 'in FIG. 5) is added to the current horizontal address (ST6), and it is determined whether the current horizontal address exceeds the horizontal size of the paper (ST7). That is, in this case, the current horizontal address is the position p3 pointed to by the current pointer, and the number of inter- tint block dots P'is added to this position p3 to determine whether this position p4 exceeds the horizontal size of the paper.

In the above judgment, when the position p4 does not exceed the lateral size of the sheet (N in ST7), the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data development control section 3 again generates the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print pattern and repeatedly expands it. A pointer (different from the above-mentioned pointer) is returned to the head (ST8), and the text data is read from the beginning (ST2).

Thereafter, the above processing is repeated (ST2 to ST
8) When the same tint block print pattern is created for one line while moving the pointer sequentially to p3, p4, ..., Whether the current horizontal address exceeds the horizontal size of the paper (ST4 or ST7) is Y (Yes). ). That is, it means that the tint block print pattern for one line is created at any time point, and the number of inter-character dots is added to the current vertical address to create the same tint block print pattern on the next line (ST.
9). That is, in the vertical direction shown in FIG.
If represented by an axis, the number of inter-character dots P ″ in the Y direction) is added to the current vertical address.

Next, the expansion pattern for one line created as described above is converted into the expansion pattern selection information () described above.
According to the above, one character, for example, is shifted to the right and copied as it is (ST10). By this processing, the same development pattern that is slid to the right by one character with respect to the development pattern of the preceding line can be created. After that, the number of inter-character dots is added to the current vertical address (ST11), and it is determined whether the current vertical address exceeds the vertical size of the paper (ST12). Then, while this judgment is N (no), the above processing is repeated (ST10 to S
T12) Write the same development pattern, which is slid by one character, in the overlay frame memory 6.

Finally, it is determined that the current vertical address exceeds the vertical size of the paper (ST12 is Y), and the process is terminated. By processing as described above, the tint block data can be easily expanded in the overlay frame memory 6. Note that FIG. 8 shows an example in which the characters “WORLD BANK” are developed in the overlay frame memory 6 as a tint block print pattern by the above-described processing, and the flow of selection data for forming the tint block pattern is also shown. Show. Further, in order to make the developed pattern in the overlay frame memory 6 easy to see, a part of the same is enlarged and shown in FIG.

While the tint block data is being developed in the overlay frame memory 6, the form data is developed under the control of the form development controller 4. In this case, the data written in the overlay frame memory 6 are combined. Further, the form data may be expanded by expanding the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data in the overlay frame memory 6 and then overwriting it.

After the composite data of the tint block data and the form data is expanded in the overlay frame memory 6 as described above, the image data (actual data) according to the application software is input from the host computer 10. Specifically, the image data input to the printing apparatus 11 via the output data receiving unit 1 is temporarily stored in a reception buffer (not shown), and then the command control unit 2 converts the character code into dot pattern data. Execute the process according to the command. As a result, for example, bitmap data for one page of paper is expanded in the data frame memory 7.

The composite data expanded in the overlay frame memory 6 and the bitmap data expanded in the data frame memory 7 are yellow (Y) in the case of color printing, as shown in FIG. , Magenta (M), and cyan (C) data are in four areas (4
Files).

As described above, according to the printing apparatus of this embodiment, it is possible to print the tint block image, print the form data, and further print the image data. In the description of this example, the form data is printed together with the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print. However, the present invention does not necessarily have to print the form data.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the overlay controller 8. As described above, the overlay frame memory 6 and the data frame memory 7 are composed of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B) storage areas (four files), respectively.
The data of each color is output to the printing unit 9 via the overlay control unit 8. Here, as shown in the figure, the outputs of the overlay frame memory 6 are output to AND gates (AND gates) 19a to 19d, respectively, and are ANDed with the image data output from the data frame memory 7. Further, AND gates (AND gates) 19a to 1
Image data is output from the data frame memory 7 to 9d via an OR gate (OR gate) 20. Therefore, when image data and copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data (or form data) exist for the corresponding (same) dot, yellow (Y), magenta (M), and
Even if the output of either cyan (C) or black (B) is at least one high signal (H), the OR gate (OR
The output of the gate) 20 becomes a high signal (H), and the outputs from the AND gates (AND gates) 19a to 19d all become a low signal (L). That is, in this case, the printing unit 9 is connected to the OR gate (OR gate) from the data frame memory 7.
Only the image data output via the gates 21a to 21d is supplied.

Therefore, by configuring the overlay control unit 8 as described above, even when the image data and the tint block data overlap with respect to the same dot, the image data can be preferentially output to the printing unit 9. . Further, with such a configuration, waste of toner can be prevented.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to another embodiment. The printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the above-described example in that the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment uses one frame memory 18 as a memory and includes a tint block data expansion control unit, a form expansion control unit, and a print data control unit. Various data output from each is expanded in the frame memory 18. With this configuration, the tint block printing is performed using the printing device having a small memory capacity.

Therefore, the configuration of this embodiment is basically the same as that of FIG. 1 described above, but one frame memory 18
With the above configuration, the outputs of the tint block data expansion controller 15, the form expansion controller 16, and the print data controller 17 are supplied to the frame memory 18. That is, the output data receiving unit 1 receives the print information output from the host computer 10 and outputs it to the command control unit 2 as in the above-described example. The command control unit 2 analyzes the command included in the print information, and when the analyzed command is the command for the tint block print instruction, the command control unit 2 controls the tint block data expansion control unit 15 to control the tint block print pattern by CG (not shown).
Read out from the frame memory 18 and expanded in the frame memory 18 according to the flow chart shown in FIG. When it is determined that the form data is input as a result of the command analysis, the form data is expanded in the frame memory 18 under the control of the form expansion controller 16. Furthermore, when image data is input from the host computer 10 thereafter,
Command analysis included in this image data is performed, and bitmap data based on the image data is stored in the frame memory 18
Expand to

By performing the above-described processing, the tint block data, the form data, and the image data can be sequentially overwritten in one frame memory 18, and all the data can be expanded in the frame memory 18. In this way, the frame memory 18
The data expanded to is output to the printing unit 9 as print data from the frame memory 18, and the print processing based on the print data is performed.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the tint block printing can be performed using one frame memory 18, the form data can be printed, and further the image data can be printed. In particular, the above-described processing can be achieved only by using one frame memory 18, and a plurality of printing processing can be efficiently performed.

In the description of this embodiment, the development of the tint block printing pattern is sequentially shifted to the right as shown in FIG. 7, but other development patterns can be used by selecting the development pattern. . For example, if the development pattern of (2) in FIG. 6 is used, the same tint block print pattern can be configured to be sequentially shifted to the left, and if the development pattern of (3) in FIG. 6 is used, the same tint block print can be performed. The pattern can be configured to shift once to the left and then to the right.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the designation information of the tint block print pattern is transferred from the host computer at the time of printing is shown, but a plurality of types of tint block print pattern information are registered and stored in the tint block data development control unit in advance. It is also possible to select desired information by the application of the host computer or a designation from the operation panel to perform the tint block printing process.

Further, although the example of the character pattern is shown as the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print pattern, it may be information for generating a repeating pattern such as a checkered pattern.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform the tint block printing together with the normal image data. Therefore, it is not necessary to purchase a high-cost tint block printed sheet, and plain paper can be used. An image can be printed while using the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing.

Further, since the image printing can be performed together with the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing by using a single frame memory, it is possible to perform the above-mentioned printing processing by using a memory having a smaller capacity.

Further, the print processing performed together with the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing may be printing of form data, which can be used for an extremely wide range of printing applications. Further, even when the image data and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data overlap with respect to the same dot, the image data can be preferentially output to the printing unit, and the waste of toner can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a memory configuration common to an overlay frame memory and a data frame memory according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overall print process according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of writing a tint block print pattern in an overlay frame memory based on a tint block print instruction.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a tint block print pattern.

6 (1) to 6 (n) are diagrams illustrating an example of a development pattern.

FIG. 7 is a time chart illustrating the operation of the scanner device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows “WORLD BAN” as a tint block print pattern.
It is a figure which shows the example which expanded the character of "K" in the overlay frame memory.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of an overlay control unit.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Output data receiving unit 2 Command control unit 3 Background pattern data expansion control unit 4 Form expansion control unit 5 Print data control unit 6 Overlay frame memory 7 Data frame memory 8 Overlay control unit 9 Printing unit 10 Host computer 11 Printing device 12 Printing pattern printing designation Information 13 Form information 14 Output information of application software 15 Copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data development control unit 16 Form development control unit 17 Print data control unit 18 Frame memory 19a to 19d AND gate (AND gate) 20 OR gate (OR gate) 21a to 21d OR gate (OR Gate)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print image information generation unit for repeatedly outputting the unit copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print pattern to a first image memory and expanding the number of times to fill a predetermined print area, an input unit for designating and inputting a unit copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print pattern. A print image generating means for developing image data corresponding to print information input from the apparatus in a second image memory, and a print output for combining and outputting the image data stored in the first and second image memories. A printing device comprising: a means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image memory and the second image memory are single image memories. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print image information is color information. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print output unit prints out the image data expanded in the second image memory with priority.