JPH10198810A - Image data generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate image data of a horizontal line and a vertical line, which have the same linear width even when the output position of the horizontal and vertical lines changes, about an image data generator that generates horizontal and vertical lines to output to an output device. SOLUTION: When shape information is designated and an instruction of generating image data of a horizontal or vertical straight line is issued, the image data generator, which generates linear image data by deciding two reference lines of grid-like pixels that define the shape information and specifying grid-like pixels existing between the reference lines is provided with a specifying means 1a, which specifies boundary positions of grid-like pixels to which the reference lines belong and a changing means 12a, which changes the position of the reference lines to a place in a defined distance from the boundary positions that are specified by the means 11a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data generator for generating image data of horizontal lines and vertical lines to be output to an output device, and more particularly, to the same linear width even when the output position of a horizontal line or a vertical line changes. The present invention relates to an image data generating apparatus which can generate image data of a horizontal line or a vertical line having the following.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A system for outputting image data using an output device such as a printer includes a raster image processor for generating image data from drawing information (shape information) specified by software such as a page description language. .

This raster image processor is shown in FIG.
As shown in, by extracting the drawing information specified by the software and converting it to the grid pixels of the output device,
It generates image data such as straight lines, curves, and halftone dots. As shown in FIG. 11, the image data is provided inside a computer, provided inside an output device, or provided independently between the computer and the output device. Will be provided in a different form.

In this raster image processor, when drawing information (a starting point, an ending point, a width value, etc.) of a horizontal line or a vertical line is specified from software and a request for generating image data of a horizontal line or a vertical line is received, As shown in FIG. 12, two reference lines defined by straight lines specified by the drawing information are set on the lattice pixels of the output device, and the lattice pixels sandwiched between the two reference lines are specified. By doing so, a configuration for generating image data of a horizontal line or a vertical line is adopted.

In a conventional raster image processor performing such processing, when two reference lines are set, a configuration is taken into consideration where the positions of the reference lines are located in the grid-like pixels of the output device. I didn't.

[0006]

However, according to such a conventional technique, the output position of the horizontal line or the vertical line is changed even though the same value is designated as the width value of the horizontal line or the vertical line. If it changes, there is a problem that image data having different width values is generated.

That is, even if the width values of the horizontal line and the vertical line specified by the software are the same, two reference lines are set on the grid pixels in the form shown in FIG. Sometimes, a straight line having a width of three pixels is output to the output device.
When the pixels are set on the lattice-shaped pixels in the form shown in FIG. 1, the width value differs depending on the output position, such that the width value is output to the output device as a straight line having a width of four pixels. There was a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been developed to enable generation of image data of a horizontal line or a vertical line having the same straight line width even if the output position of a horizontal line or a vertical line changes. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a simple image data generating device.

[0009]

FIG. 1 shows the principle configuration of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an image data generating apparatus equipped with the present invention, which is used to specify a shape information when a horizontal or vertical straight line image data generation instruction is issued, and a grid shape defined by the shape information. Straight image data is generated by determining two reference lines on a pixel and specifying a grid-like pixel sandwiched between the two reference lines.

An image data generating apparatus 1 of the present invention whose principle configuration is shown in FIG.
, Specifying means 11a, changing means 12a, and generating means 1
3a.

The reference line calculating means 10a, when designating shape information and issuing an instruction to generate horizontal or vertical straight line image data, issues two reference lines on a grid-like pixel defined by the shape information. Calculate the line.

The specifying means 11a includes a reference line calculating means 10a
The boundary position of the grid-like pixel to which the reference line calculated by (1) belongs is specified. The changing unit 12a changes the position of the reference line calculated by the reference line calculating unit 10a to a position at a prescribed distance from the boundary position specified by the specifying unit 11a.

The generating means 13a specifies grid pixels sandwiched between the reference lines changed by the changing means 12a, and sets the pixel values of these grid pixels to specified values to generate straight image data. I do.

FIG. 1A shows an image data generating apparatus 1 of the present invention whose principle is shown in FIG.
When the reference line calculating unit 10a calculates two reference lines, the specifying unit 11a specifies the boundary position of the grid-like pixel to which the calculated reference line belongs, and upon receiving the specifying result, the changing unit 12a The position of the calculated reference line is changed to a position at a predetermined distance from the specified boundary position.

As a result, the position of the reference line is set to the specified position of the grid-like pixel, so that the generation means 13a
Can generate image data of horizontal and vertical lines having the same linear width even if the output position of the horizontal or vertical line changes.

The image data generating apparatus 1 of the present invention, whose principle configuration is shown in FIG.
, Specifying means 11b, changing means 12b, and generating means 1
3b, a calculating unit 14b, and a setting unit 15b.

The reference line calculating means 10b, when designating shape information and issuing an instruction to generate image data of a horizontal or vertical straight line, issues one reference on a grid-like pixel defined by the shape information. Calculate the line.

The specifying means 11b includes a reference line calculating means 10b
The boundary position of the grid-like pixel to which the reference line calculated by (1) belongs is specified. The changing unit 12b changes the position of the reference line calculated by the reference line calculating unit 10b to a position at a specified distance from the boundary position specified by the specifying unit 11b.

The calculating means 14b calculates the distance on the grid-like pixel specified by the straight line width information indicated by the shape information when an instruction to generate horizontal or vertical straight line image data is issued by designating the shape information. Then, from the change destination position of the change means 12b, the position at which the distance is displaced in the direction defined by the linear width information is calculated, or the number of grid-like pixels specified by the linear width information indicated by the shape information is calculated. , Changing means 12
The position at which the number of pixels is displaced from the change destination position of b in the direction defined by the linear width information is calculated.

The setting means 15b calculates the position of the other reference line which is not specified by the specifying means 11b.
4b is set at the position calculated. Generating means 13b
Is a reference line to be changed by the changing unit 12b and the setting unit 15
By specifying grid-like pixels sandwiched between the reference line set by b and setting pixel values of those grid-like pixels to specified values, straight-line image data is generated.

In the image data generating apparatus 1 according to the present invention, whose principle configuration is shown in FIG.
When the reference line calculating means 10b calculates one reference line, the specifying means 11b specifies the boundary position of the grid-like pixel to which the calculated one reference line belongs, and receives this specifying result, 12b changes the position of the calculated reference line to a position at a prescribed distance from the specified boundary position.

On the other hand, when an instruction to generate image data of a horizontal or vertical straight line is issued by designating the shape information, the calculating means 14b calculates the distance on the grid-like pixel specified by the straight line width information indicated by the shape information. Is calculated from the change destination position of the changing means 12b in the direction defined by the linear width information, or the number of grid-like pixels specified by the linear width information indicated by the shape information is calculated. Change means 1
A position displaced by the number of pixels in the direction defined by the linear width information from the change destination position of 2b is calculated.

Upon receiving the calculation result, the setting means 15b
Sets the position of the other reference line not to be specified by the specifying means 11b at the calculated position. As a result, the position of the reference line is set to the specified position of the grid-like pixel. Therefore, even if the output position of the horizontal line or the vertical line is changed, the generation unit 13a outputs the horizontal line or the vertical line having the same linear width. Image data can be generated.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to embodiments. FIG. 2 shows a program configuration of the raster image processor 20 having the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a raster image processor 20 of the present invention performs processing for generating image data from drawing information (shape information) specified by software such as a page description language. And a conversion program 22 that converts drawing information specified by software into grid-like pixels in accordance with the analysis result of the language analysis program 21.

When the language analysis program 21 extracts the drawing information of the horizontal line and the vertical line, the conversion program 22
According to the extracted data, two reference lines are set on the grid-like pixels, and the grid-like pixels sandwiched between the two reference lines are filled, so that horizontal lines and vertical lines are drawn on the output device. To be processed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, when the language analysis program 21 extracts the drawing positions x1 and x2 of the two vertical lines specified by the software, it then extracts the two vertical lines. Drawing position X on grid pixels
1 and X2 are specified, and a grid-like pixel sandwiched between two vertical lines on the grid-like pixel is painted out to process the vertical line on the output device.

FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG.
2 illustrates an embodiment of a processing flow executed by the second embodiment. Here, in these processing flows, a drawing process of a vertical line is assumed.

Next, the present invention will be described in detail according to these processing flows. When the conversion program 22 follows the processing flow of FIG. 4, first, in step 1, the drawing positions x1 and x2 of the two vertical lines specified by the software extracted by the language analysis program 21 are extracted.
Get.

Subsequently, in step 2,

[0031]

(Equation 1)

In accordance with the following, the drawing position X1 on the grid-like pixel corresponding to the drawing position x1 is obtained,

[0033]

(Equation 2)

Thus, the drawing position X2 on the grid-like pixels associated with the drawing position x2 is determined. here,
In the equations (1) / (2), k1 is the resolution of the vertical line defined by the software (for example, described in dpi), k2 is the resolution of the vertical line of the output device (for example, described in dpi), a is a constant distance value from the boundary position of the lattice pixel, i
nt indicates that it takes an integer value in parentheses.

The expression [1] / [2] means that, as shown in FIG. 5, the rendering specified by the software is performed by using the ratio between the resolution of the software and the resolution of the output device. After obtaining the drawing positions α1 and α2 on the grid-like pixels associated with the positions x1 and x2, the decimal point portion is truncated to obtain the closest boundary position of the grid-like pixel, and only a certain distance a from the boundary position This means that the drawing positions X1 and X2 associated with the drawing positions x1 and x2 specified by the software are set at the displaced positions.

According to this processing, the vertical line to be drawn set on the grid-like pixel always keeps a specified positional relationship with the grid-like pixel position. The drawing positions X1, X2
Then, in Step 3, the vertical lines are drawn on the output device by filling the grid-like pixels sandwiching the drawing positions X1 and X2 in Step 3.

On the other hand, when the conversion program 22 follows the processing flow of FIG. 6, first, in step 1, the drawing position x1 of the two vertical lines specified by the software extracted by the language analysis program 21 is extracted. , X2.

Subsequently, in step 2, the above-mentioned [Equation 1]
The drawing position X1 on the lattice pixel corresponding to the drawing position x1 is obtained according to the formula. Then, step 3
so,

[0039]

(Equation 3)

Thus, the straight line width Δ at the lattice pixels corresponding to the straight line width of the vertical line specified by the software is obtained. Then, in step 4,

[0041]

(Equation 4)

According to the above, the drawing position X2 on the lattice pixel corresponding to the drawing position x2 obtained in step 1 is obtained. What is meant by this [Equation 4] is that FIG.
As shown in the equation (1), when the drawing position X1 associated with the drawing position x1 is obtained according to the expression (1), the linear width value obtained by the expression (3) is added thereto, thereby obtaining the drawing position x1.
This means that the drawing position X2 associated with No. 2 is determined.

According to this processing, the vertical line to be drawn set on the grid-like pixel always keeps a prescribed positional relationship with the grid-like pixel position. The drawing positions X1, X2
Then, in Step 5, the grid lines between the drawing positions X1 and X2 are painted out to draw a vertical line on the output device.

On the other hand, when the conversion program 22 follows the processing flow of FIG. 8, first, at step 1, the drawing position x1 of the two vertical lines specified by the software, which is extracted by the language analysis program 21, is specified. , X2.

Subsequently, in step 2, the above-mentioned [Equation 1]
The drawing position X1 on the lattice pixel corresponding to the drawing position x1 is obtained according to the formula. Then, step 3
Then, a straight line width Δ at the lattice pixel corresponding to the straight line width of the vertical line specified by the software is obtained according to the above-described [Equation 3], and is used.

[0046]

(Equation 5)

According to the above, the drawing position X2 on the grid-like pixels associated with the drawing position x2 obtained in step 1 is obtained. What is meant by this [Equation 5] is that FIG.
As shown in (3), the number of pixels of the grid-like pixels indicated by the straight line width Δ obtained according to the expression (3) is obtained, and the number of pixels is added to the drawing position X1, thereby obtaining the drawing position associated with the drawing position x2. It means that X2 is required. Here, in obtaining the number of pixels, regardless of the calculation process,
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a table for managing the relationship between (x2−x1) and the number of lattice pixels is prepared, and the number of pixels indicated by the linear width Δ is determined in accordance with the table.

In accordance with this processing, the vertical line to be drawn set on the grid-like pixel always keeps a specified positional relationship with the grid-like pixel position. The drawing positions X1, X2
Then, in Step 5, the grid lines between the drawing positions X1 and X2 are painted out to draw a vertical line on the output device.

As described above, in the raster image processor 20 of the present invention, since the position of the reference line is set to the specified position of the grid-like pixel, the output position of the horizontal line or the vertical line to be drawn is changed. However, it is possible to generate image data of horizontal lines and vertical lines having the same straight line width.

The present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the embodiment, the description has been given of the processing of drawing a vertical line. However, the processing of drawing a horizontal line can be applied as it is.

[0051]

As described above, in the image data generating apparatus according to the present invention, when a drawing request of horizontal or vertical line image data is received from software by designating drawing information, the image data is generated on the grid-like pixels of the output device. When a configuration is adopted in which two reference lines specified by the drawing information are set, and a grid-like pixel sandwiched between the two reference lines is specified, thereby generating image data of a horizontal line or a vertical line. In
Since the processing is performed so that the position of the reference line is at the specified position of the grid-like pixel, even if the output position of the horizontal line or the vertical line changes, image data of the horizontal line or the vertical line having the same straight line width can be generated. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a conversion program execution process.

FIG. 4 is an example of a processing flow executed by a conversion program.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a conversion program execution process.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a processing flow executed by a conversion program.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a conversion program execution process.

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a processing flow executed by a conversion program.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of execution processing of a conversion program.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a raster image processor.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a raster image processor.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a raster image processor.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a problem of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image data generating device 10a reference line calculating means 11a specifying means 12a changing means 13a generating means 10b reference line calculating means 11b specifying means 12b changing means 13b generating means 14b calculating means 15b setting means

Claims (3)

[Claims] When an instruction to generate horizontal or vertical linear image data is issued by designating shape information, two reference lines on a grid-like pixel defined by the shape information are determined. An image data generating apparatus that generates straight line image data by specifying a grid-like pixel sandwiched between the reference lines, comprising: a specifying unit that specifies a boundary position of the grid-like pixel to which the reference line belongs; and a position of the reference line. And a changing means for changing the distance from the boundary position specified by the specifying means to a predetermined distance. 2. When designating shape information and issuing an instruction to generate image data of a horizontal or vertical straight line, two reference lines on grid pixels defined by the shape information are determined. An image data generating apparatus that generates straight line image data by specifying a grid-like pixel sandwiched between the reference lines, comprising: a specifying unit that specifies a boundary position of a grid-like pixel to which one of the reference lines belongs; Changing means for changing the position of the reference line to be specified by the specifying means to a specified distance from the boundary position specified by the specifying means; and a grid-like pixel specified by the linear width information indicated by the shape information. Calculating means for calculating the distance from the change destination position of the change means in the direction defined by the linear width information; and the other reference which is not specified by the specifying means. The position, further comprising a setting means for setting at the position where the calculation of the calculation means, the image data generating device according to claim. 3. When designating shape information and issuing an instruction to generate horizontal or vertical straight line image data, two reference lines on a grid-like pixel defined by the shape information are determined. An image data generating apparatus that generates straight line image data by specifying a grid-like pixel sandwiched between the reference lines, comprising: a specifying unit that specifies a boundary position of a grid-like pixel to which one of the reference lines belongs; Changing means for changing the position of the reference line to be specified by the specifying means to a position at a prescribed distance from the boundary position specified by the specifying means; and a grid-shaped pixel specified by the linear width information indicated by the shape information. Calculating means for calculating the number of pixels and calculating a position at which the number of pixels is displaced in the direction defined by the straight line width information from the change destination position of the changing means; and the other base not specified by the specifying means. The position of the line, further comprising a setting means for setting at the position where the calculation of the calculation means, the image data generating device according to claim.