JPH11320960A - Output method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer in which smoothing processing can be performed without increasing signal frequency by forming images in parallel through a plurality of optical systems each projecting an image forming light thereby forming an image at high speed using a plurality of kinds of wavelength (spot length). SOLUTION: A plurality of optical systems 34-46 are provided and an output image is formed by emitting image forming lights simultaneously from respective laser units 34, 35. At the time of print output, a print data is classified into image data subjected and not subjected to smoothing processing and developed into bit maps of different band. Laser unit is then allocated in units of band and a print data subjected to smoothing processing is subjected to wavelength (spot diameter) conversion at a laser unit control section 33.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an output apparatus and an output method provided with forming means for irradiating light to form an output image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus for forming an output image has
It has only one optical system and outputs document information and image data by one-way communication from a host device such as a host computer to a printing device, and prints it on a recording medium such as recording paper. I have.

[0003]

However, since the conventional printing apparatus has only one optical system, it can only perform bitmap development for each band, and the laser beam on the photosensitive drum is also provided for each line. there were.

Further, since the conventional printing apparatus has only one optical system, when a process called smoothing is performed on text data such as characters, the video frequency is four times as high as the video frequency of the original data. High frequency had to be generated. Therefore, a circuit such as a controller needs to be designed to operate at four times higher frequency.

Further, since the conventional printing apparatus has only one optical system, even if image data such as text data and graphics such as characters can be divided into areas (areas), only processing with the same resolution can be performed. , Etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and for example, has the above-described object by providing a plurality of optical systems in an output device. And
The wavelength (spot diameter) of the light emitted from the optical system can be converted,
For example, when text data such as characters is subjected to smoothing processing, output data that has not been subjected to smoothing processing and output data that has been subjected to smoothing processing are developed into separate bitmaps, and smoothing processing is performed. The purpose of generating a laser beam for the output data is not to make the video signal a high frequency, but to realize a smoothing process by wavelength (spot diameter) conversion.

[0007]

As one means for achieving the above object, for example, the following arrangement is provided.

More specifically, the present invention is directed to an output apparatus including a forming unit for forming an output image by irradiating light, wherein the forming unit includes a plurality of optical systems, and a light for forming an image from each of the plurality of optical systems. Can be irradiated.

For example, there is provided a developing means for developing the output image data in a bit map memory, and the forming means forms an image in accordance with the bit map pattern developed in the bit map memory by the developing means.

Also, for example, when the expansion means expands the output image data in the bitmap memory, it expands the image data in a plurality of bitmap memory areas for each band.

Further, for example, the forming means forms an image by associating a plurality of optical systems with each band developed in a bit map memory.

Further, for example, the plurality of optical systems include means for forming an electrostatic latent image by irradiating a photoreceptor with a light beam emitted by a light emitting means. Alternatively, the forming means forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor by light beams from the plurality of optical systems, visualizes the electrostatic latent image, transfers the latent image to a recording medium, and performs permanent visible display. It is characterized by the following.

Also, for example, the developing means performs bitmap development of the output image data into image data subjected to smoothing processing and image data not subjected to smoothing processing into separate bands, and the forming means applies a light beam to each band. At the time of generation, wavelength (spot diameter) conversion is performed on data that has been subjected to smoothing processing.

Further, for example, the developing means divides the output image data into a text data area such as a character and an image data area such as a figure, and performs bitmap development separately.
The forming means performs wavelength (spot diameter) conversion on image data when generating a light beam for each.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an example in which the present invention is applied to a printing apparatus for performing permanent visible display on recording paper or the like as an output apparatus will be described.

Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, a configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition,
The printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer, but may be a printer of another printing method.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a first output device according to this embodiment, and shows a case where the first output device is, for example, a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as "LBP").

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host device such as a host computer. At the same time, a corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as a recording sheet.

Reference numeral 1501 denotes a switch for operation and L
An operation panel on which an ED display and the like are arranged.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a printer control unit (hereinafter, referred to as a controller) that controls the entire LBP body 1500 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer.

The controller 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and switches on and off a laser beam 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 according to an input video signal.

The laser light 154 is applied to a rotary polygon mirror 1505.
And scans and exposes the surface of the electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1506, and then transferred to a recording sheet.

A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on the LBP 1500, and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1509, transport rollers 1510, and a transport roller 1511. It is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506.

The LBP body 1500 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown).
Control cards with different language systems (emulation cards)
Is configured to be connected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the printer control system according to the present embodiment. Here, the case of LBP (FIG. 1) will be described as an example. Note that if the functions of the present embodiment are executed, a system that performs processing via a network such as a LAN, whether it is a single device or a system including a plurality of devices, may be used. Can also be applied.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer which performs document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets) and the like are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM 3b of the ROM 3. It has a CPU 1 to execute, and the CPU 1 totally controls each device connected to the system bus 4.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
3b stores a control program of the CPU 1, etc.
The font ROM 3a of the M3 stores font data and the like used in the document processing, and the data ROM 3c of the ROM 3 stores various data used in the document processing and the like.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which is a main memory of the CPU 1,
Functions as a work area. Reference numeral 5 denotes a keyboard controller (KBC), which controls a key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (not shown). 6 is a CRT controller (CRTC), CR
The display of the T display (CRT) 10 is controlled.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory controller (MC), which is a hard disk (H) that stores a bootstrap program, various application programs, font data, user files, edit files, and the like.
D), an external memory 11 such as a floppy disk (FD)
And control access.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC), which has a predetermined bidirectional interface (hereinafter referred to as "bidirectional I / O").
/ F ”) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500. The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and executes WYSIW on the CRT 10.
YG (What You See Is What You Get) is possible. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1500, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU.
b or an external memory 1
4 to control overall access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program and the like stored in the printing unit interface 4 (hereinafter referred to as a printing unit I / O).
An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via an F 16.
The font ROM 13a of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. The program ROM 13b of the ROM 13 includes, for example, the CPU 1 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
2 and the like. In the case of a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD), the data ROM 13c of the ROM 13 stores information used on a host computer.

The CPU 12 is capable of communicating with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18 and transmits information and the like in the printer to the host computer 3000.
Is configured to be notified.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). Note that R
AM 19 includes an output information development area, an environment data storage area,
Used for NVRAM and the like.

The external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card is provided with a memory controller (M
C) Access is controlled by 20. External memory 14
Is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like.

The number of external memories 14 is not limited to one, and at least one or more is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an option card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different language systems can be connected. It may be. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the processing section 1501.

The input section 18 is provided with a switch and an LED display for operating the operation panel described above.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams illustrating the configuration of a printer control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

In FIG. 3, the host computer I / F
18a corresponds to the input unit 18 in FIG. The video I / F 16a corresponds to the printing unit I / F 16 in FIG. Similarly, the printer engine 17d is the printing unit 17 in FIG. 17c is a command status line of the controller 1000 and the printer engine 17d, and 17a and 17b are video signals.

The RAM 19 in FIG. 2 is divided into a page memory 19c, a bit map memory A 19a, and a bit map memory B 19b. Details will be described later.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 31 denotes a video I / F A, and reference numeral 32 denotes a video I / FB. Reference numeral 33 denotes a laser unit control unit, and the command status line 17
c, a command is received from the controller 1000, and a status from the printing mechanism unit 38 is transmitted to the controller 1000. Furthermore, the controller 1
000 from the laser unit A3
4 and the laser unit B35 to control the laser spot diameter and the like.

Numeral 34 denotes a laser unit A, 34a
Denotes a wavelength (spot diameter) converter A, and 34b denotes a laser driver A. Reference numeral 34c denotes the video signal 17a controlled by the laser unit control unit 33.

Similarly, 35 is a laser unit B, 35a is a wavelength (spot diameter) converter B, and 35b is a laser driver B. Reference numeral 35c denotes the video signal 17b controlled by the laser unit control unit 33.

In the thus configured printer control system, print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro instructions, and the like are supplied from a host device such as the host computer 3000, and a corresponding character pattern is provided in accordance with the information. And form patterns and the like to form an image on recording paper as a storage medium.

The processing in this case will be described with reference to the block diagrams of FIGS. 3 and 4, the laser beam scanning diagram of FIG. 5, the bit map memory diagram of FIG. 6, and the flowchart of FIG.

In the figure, a host computer 3000
When the print data is received by the printer 1500 via the bidirectional I / F 21 (step S701), in the printer 1000, in the controller 1000, the CPU 12 analyzes the print data according to the program stored in the program ROM 3b, and constructs a page. Is performed and the print data is stored in the page memory 19c as code data.

Print data (code data) for one page
Are stored in the page memory 19c, the CPU 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a font ROM in which corresponding character patterns are sequentially printed from the print data (code data) at the head of the page.
3b, and are developed alternately in the bitmap memories 19a and 19b for each band (step S702).

In accordance with the developed print data (bitmap data), video signals (VDOA, VDOB) 17a and 17b for each of them, a synchronizing signal (ASYNC) of both, and respective control signals (CRLA, CRLB) at the video I / F 16a. 17c (Step 7)
03).

The signals 17 a, 17 b, and 17 c output from the controller 1000 are output to the printer engine 17, and the video signal 17 a is output to the laser unit A via the video I / F A 31 and the laser unit controller 33.
The video signal 17b is input to the video I /
The signal is input to the laser unit B35 via the FB32 and the laser unit control unit 33.

The synchronizing signal and the control signal 17 c are transmitted to the control signal 3 of the video signal A via the laser unit control unit 33.
6a is input to the laser unit A34, the control signal 36b of the video signal B is input to the laser unit B35, and the synchronization signal 36c is input to the printing mechanism unit 37.

In each laser unit, two laser beams 34c and 35c are generated by a laser driving unit A34b and a laser driving unit B35b according to a video signal and a control signal.
Is generated (step 704). Laser unit 3
The laser beam 34c output from 4 is scanned on the photosensitive drum 44 by the scanning mirror A40 and the reflection mirror A42. In addition, a vertical synchronization signal is input to the laser unit control unit 33 by the BD mirror 45.

At the same time, the laser beam 35c output from the laser unit B35 is also changed by the scanning mirror B41 and the reflection mirror B43 by the synchronization signal 36c generated by the laser unit control unit 33.
Scanning is performed on the photosensitive drum 44 simultaneously with the laser beam A (step S705).

The image thus formed on the photosensitive drum 44 is usually subjected to a printing process (electrophotographic process).
Is printed (step 706).

With the above configuration and control, in a printer having two optical systems, when the print data is developed in the bitmap memory, two video signals are generated by developing the data alternately for each band, and both are simultaneously generated. Scan on the photosensitive drum.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing a plurality of optical systems, an effect is obtained that scanning of the laser beam on the photosensitive drum can be performed for a plurality of lines at a time. .

Also, when a plurality of optical systems are used and print data is developed in a bitmap memory, the data is developed in a plurality of bitmap memory areas for each band, thereby printing on the bitmap memory. An effect is obtained in that writing of data and reading of print data from the bitmap memory can be performed without apparently waiting time.

Further, by using a plurality of optical systems, the print data is expanded into a plurality of bitmap memory areas for each band and a plurality of laser beams are generated for each band, whereby the entire printing is performed. The effect that time can be shortened is obtained.

[Second Embodiment] Next, an embodiment of the second invention according to the present invention will be described with reference to the print dot diagram of FIG. 8 and the flowchart of FIG.
The second embodiment is characterized by a printing process when text data such as characters is subjected to a process called smoothing, and the entire configuration and control are the same as those of the first embodiment. The description is the same as that of the embodiment, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

In FIG. 9, the host computer 300
0 when print data is received (step S90).
1) If the text data such as characters has been subjected to the smoothing process (step S902), the normal data (for example, 600 dpi data) that has not been subjected to the smoothing process is loaded into the bitmap memory when the data is developed in the bitmap memory. The data subjected to the smoothing process (similarly, 600 dpi data) are developed in the memory A19a and the bitmap memory B19b, respectively (Step S).
903).

Then, a video signal, a synchronization signal, and a control signal for each data are generated (step S90).
4).

Next, in the printer engine 17, the laser beam 34c having the laser beam spot diameter corresponding to the normal data (600 dpi data) which has not been subjected to the smoothing processing and is generated from the video signal 17a.
And the control signal corresponding to the video signal 17b, the wavelength (spot diameter) converter B35 of the laser unit B35
2400 dpi corresponding to smoothing processing from the laser beam spot diameter corresponding to 600 dpi data in a
A laser beam 35c converted into the laser beam spot diameter of the data is generated (step S905).

The laser beam 34c output from the laser unit A34 is scanned on the photosensitive drum 44 by the scanning mirror A40 and the reflection mirror A42. The printing 50 by the laser beam A is 600 dpi.
Corresponding to In addition, a vertical synchronization signal is input to the laser unit control unit 33 by the BD mirror 45.

At the same time, the synchronizing signal 36c generated in the laser unit control section 33 causes the smoothing processing 240 output from the laser unit B3S to be performed.
The racer beam 35c corresponding to 0 dpi is also scanned on the photosensitive drum 44 simultaneously with the laser beam A by the scanning mirror B41 and the reflection mirror B43 (step S906).

The printing 51 by the laser beam B is 240
0 dpi. At this time, since the two laser beams scan the same line, the reflection mirror B43 is in the first position.
The angle is adjusted differently in the embodiment.

The image thus formed on the photosensitive drum 44 is printed by a normal printing process (electrophotographic process) (step 907).

When the print data is received from the host computer 3000, if the smoothing process has not been performed on the text data such as characters (step S9).
02), as in the first embodiment, the data is alternately developed in the bitmap memories 19a and 19b for each band (step S908).

According to the developed print data (bitmap data), two video signals 17a and 17b and a control signal synchronization signal 17c are generated (step S909). Then, the laser beam 34 is output by the video signal 17a.
c is generated, and the laser beam 35c is generated by the video signal 17b (step S910).

The two laser beams output from each laser unit are simultaneously generated by the photosensitive drum 44 by the synchronization signal 36c generated in the laser unit control section.
Scan up (step 911).

With the above configuration and control, in a printer having two optical systems, when text data such as characters is subjected to smoothing processing, smoothing is performed when the print data is developed in the bit map memory. Normal video data that has not been processed and print data that has been subjected to smoothing processing are separately subjected to bitmap development to generate two video signals. For the print data subjected to smoothing processing, a laser beam is generated. Then, by converting the wavelength (spot diameter), a laser beam for smoothing processing is generated, and the angle of the reflection mirror is controlled to scan the two on the same line on the photosensitive drum.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, a plurality of optical systems are provided, and print data subjected to smoothing processing and print data bands not subjected to smoothing processing are separately bit-mapped. At the time of developing and generating laser beams for each, by performing wavelength (spot diameter) conversion on the data that has been subjected to the smoothing processing, it is necessary to perform the smoothing processing without converting the frequency of the video signal to a high frequency. Printing dots can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a bitmap development diagram of FIG. 10 and a flowchart of FIG. The third embodiment is characterized by processing when data to be printed can be divided into areas (areas) of text data such as characters and image data such as graphics, and the other overall configuration and control are described in the first embodiment. The description is the same as that of the embodiment, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

In FIG. 11, the host computer 30
When the original data 60 to be printed from 00 is received (step S101), if the area (area) of text data such as characters and the area (area) of image data such as graphics can be divided (step S1102), the bit At the time of development into the map memory, the text data 61 such as characters is developed into the bitmap memory A19a, and the image data 62 such as graphics is developed into the bitmap memory B19b (step S1103). Then, a video signal, a synchronization signal, and a control signal for each data are generated (step S1104).

Next, in the printer engine 17, text data 6 such as characters generated from the video signal 17a is output.
The wavelength (spot diameter) of the laser unit B35 is determined by a laser beam 34c having a laser beam spot diameter corresponding to 1 and a control signal corresponding to the video signal 17b.
The conversion unit B35a generates a laser beam 35c converted from a laser beam spot diameter corresponding to 600 dpi data into a 1200 dpi or 2400 dpi data laser beam spot diameter corresponding to the image data 62 such as a figure (step S1105).

The laser beam 34c output from the laser unit A34 is scanned on the photosensitive drum 44 by the scanning mirror A40 and the reflection mirror A42. In addition, a vertical synchronization signal is input to the laser unit control unit 33 by the BD mirror 45.

At the same time, the laser beam 35c corresponding to 1200 dpi or 2400 dpi for the image data 62 such as a figure outputted from the laser unit B35 is also transmitted by the scanning mirror B41 and the reflection mirror by the synchronization signal 36c generated in the laser unit control section 33. By B43, the photosensitive drum 44 is scanned simultaneously with the laser beam A (step S1106).

At this time, the two laser beams are controlled by the synchronizing signal 36c and the vertical synchronizing signals 45 and 46 corresponding to the corresponding areas. The angles of the reflection mirror A42 and the reflection mirror B43 are adjusted differently from those in the first embodiment.

The image thus formed on the photosensitive drum 44 is printed by a normal printing process (electrophotographic process) (step 1107).

When print data is received from the host computer, if text data such as characters and image data such as graphics cannot be divided into areas (step S1102), the same as in the first embodiment. Then, the data is alternately developed in the bitmap memories 19a and 19b for each band (step S1108).

According to the developed print data (bitmap data), two video signals 17a and 17b and a control signal synchronizing signal 17c are generated (step S110).
9). Then, the laser beam 34c is generated by the video signal 17a, and the laser beam 35c is generated by the video signal 17b.
0).

The two laser beams output from each laser unit are simultaneously generated by the photosensitive drum 4 by the synchronizing signal 36c generated in the laser unit controller.
4 is scanned (step 1110).

According to the above configuration and control, in a printer having two optical systems, if text data such as characters and image data such as figures can be divided into areas, the print data is expanded to a bitmap memory. When doing
Text data such as characters and image data such as graphics are separately developed into bitmaps to generate two video signals. For image data such as graphics, wavelength (spot diameter) conversion is performed when a laser beam is generated. Then, a laser beam for image data is generated, and the angle of the reflection mirror is controlled to scan the two on the photosensitive drum for each area.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, a plurality of optical systems are provided, and print data is stored in the text data area (area) and the graphic image data area (area). When the laser beam is generated for each of them by dividing them into bitmaps and converting them into wavelengths (spot diameters) for image data such as figures, the frequency of the video signal is not converted to high frequency. The printing dots required for the smoothing process can be obtained.

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, and the like), the present invention includes one device. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.).

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and CD.
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

[0088]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of optical systems are provided, and light for forming an image can be irradiated from each of the plurality of optical systems, so that a plurality of optical systems can be used at once. Images can be formed in parallel, and high-speed image formation becomes possible.

Further, according to the present invention, when a plurality of optical systems are provided and the output data is developed in the bit map memory by using the optical system, the bit data is developed in a plurality of bit map memory areas for each band. The effect is obtained that the writing of the output data to the map memory and the reading of the output data from the bit map memory can be performed without apparently waiting time.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of optical systems are provided, and output data on which output data has been subjected to smoothing processing and output data bands on which the output data has not been smoothed are separately subjected to bitmap development to generate light beams for each of them. When doing
By performing wavelength (spot diameter) conversion on data that has been subjected to smoothing processing, it is possible to obtain output dots required for smoothing processing without converting a frequency of, for example, a video signal instructing image formation into a high frequency. Can be.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of optical systems are provided, and the output data is divided into an area (area) for text data such as characters and an area (area) for image data such as graphics, and is separately bit-mapped. When generating a light beam for each of them, by performing wavelength (spot diameter) conversion on image data such as graphics, it is possible to perform smoothing processing without converting the frequency of an output instruction signal such as a video signal to a high frequency. Necessary image forming dots can be obtained.

[0092]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a printer engine of the printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating laser beam scanning of the printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a bitmap memory and actual printing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating print dots in a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating bitmap development and actual printing according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System bus 5 Keyboard controller (KBC) 6 CRT controller (CRTC) 7 Memory controller (MC) 8 Printer controller (PRTC) 9 Keyboard (KB) 10 CRT 11 External memory 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 External memory 15 System Bus 16 Printing Unit I / F 16a Video I / F 17 Printing Unit (Printer Engine) 17a Video Signal A 17b Video Signal B 17c Synchronization Signal, Control Signal 18 Input Unit 18a Host Computer I / F 19 RAM 19a Bitmap Memory A 19b Bitmap memory B 19c Page memory 20 Memory controller (MC) 21 Bidirectional interface (bidirectional I / F) 31 Video I / F A 32 Video I / F B 33 User unit control unit 34 Laser unit A 34a Wavelength (spot diameter) conversion unit A 34b Laser drive unit A 34c Laser beam A 35 Laser unit B 35a Wavelength (spot diameter) conversion unit B 35b Laser drive unit B 35c Laser beam B 36a Video Signal A 36b Video signal B 36c Synchronization signal, control signal 37 Printing mechanism 40 Scanning mirror A 41 Scanning mirror B 42 Reflecting mirror A 43 Reflecting mirror B 44 Photosensitive drum 51 Printing with laser beam A (600 dpi) 32 Printing with laser beam B (2400 dpi) 60 Original data to be printed 61 Text data expanded to bitmap memory A (600 dpi) 61 Image data expanded to bitmap memory B (2400 dpi) 100 0 Printer control unit 1500 Laser beam printer (LBP) main body 1501 Operation panel 1502 Laser driver 1503 Semiconductor laser 1504 Laser beam 1505 Rotating polygon mirror 1506 Electrostatic drum 1507 Developing unit 1508 Paper cassette 1509 Feed roller 1510 Transport roller 1511 Transport roller 3000 Host Computer

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An output device comprising a forming unit for irradiating light to form an output image, wherein the forming unit includes a plurality of optical systems and forms light from each of the plurality of optical systems. An output device capable of irradiating light. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: developing means for developing output image data in a bitmap memory, wherein said forming means forms an image in accordance with the bitmap pattern developed in the bitmap memory by said developing means. Output device as described. 3. The developing means according to claim 2, wherein said developing means develops the output image data in a plurality of bitmap memory areas for each band when developing the output image data in the bitmap memory.
Output device as described. 4. An output apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said forming means forms an image by associating a plurality of optical systems with each band developed in a bitmap memory. 5. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical systems include a unit configured to irradiate a light beam emitted by a light emitting unit to a photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image. An output device according to any of the above. 6. The forming means forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor by light beams from the plurality of optical systems, visualizes the electrostatic latent image, transfers the latent image to a recording medium, and forms a permanent visible image. 6. The output device according to claim 5, wherein display is performed. 7. The developing means bitmap-develops output image data into image data subjected to smoothing processing and image data not subjected to smoothing processing into separate bands, and the forming means generates a light beam for each of the bands. 7. The output device according to claim 5, wherein the wavelength (spot diameter) conversion is performed on the data subjected to the smoothing processing. 8. The developing means divides the output image data into a text data area such as a character and an image data area such as a figure, and performs bitmap development separately, and the forming means applies a light beam to each of them. 7. The output device according to claim 5, wherein a wavelength (spot diameter) conversion is performed on the image data when the image data is generated. 9. An output method in an output apparatus, comprising: a plurality of optical systems; and a forming unit configured to irradiate light for forming an image from each of the plurality of optical systems to form an output image. An output method, wherein an image is formed by simultaneously irradiating light from each of the optical systems in parallel. 10. The output method according to claim 9, wherein the output image data is developed in a bitmap memory, and an image is formed in accordance with the developed bitmap pattern. 11. The output method according to claim 10, wherein when the output image data is expanded in a bitmap memory, the output image data is expanded in a plurality of bitmap memory areas for each band. 12. The output method according to claim 11, wherein an image is formed by associating a plurality of optical systems with each band developed in the bitmap memory. 13. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical systems include a unit configured to irradiate a light beam emitted from a light emitting unit to a photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image. The output image data is subjected to bitmap development into separate bands for image data that has been subjected to smoothing processing and image data that has not been subjected to smoothing processing, and when generating a light beam for each band, smoothing processing has been performed. 13. The output method according to claim 12, wherein wavelength (spot diameter) conversion is performed on the data. 14. When developing the output image data in a bitmap memory, the output image data is divided into a text data area such as a character and an image data area such as a figure and separately developed into a bitmap. 13. The output method according to claim 12, wherein a wavelength (spot diameter) conversion is performed on the image data when generating a light beam for the image data. 15. A computer-readable recording medium storing a control procedure for realizing each function described in each of claims 1 to 14. 16. A computer program sequence for realizing each function described in each of claims 1 to 14.