JPS62219023A - Command converter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To expand and reduce image data without changing image data itself transmitted from the host computer side by providing a selecting switch which instructs the expansion magnification of image data. CONSTITUTION:The command system of a host computer 1 and that of a printer 2 are different from each other, and a command converter 3 is provided with a CPU 4, a ROM 5, a RAM 6, and a switch 7. The switch 7 can be switched to positions 1-3, and the expansion magnification of image data is controlled in accordance with the set position of this switch 7. The CPU 4 reads and writes data from and in the RAM 6 in accordance with procedures preliminarily programmed in the ROM 5 and converts the signal from the host computer 1 in accordance with the command system of the printer. that is, at the time of receiving an image mode selecting command from the host computer, the CPU 4 performs the command conversion in accordance with the set position of the switch 7 and expands succeeding image data to the magnification designated by the switch 7 and sends this data to the printer 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a command conversion device that introduces a signal train according to a predetermined command system and converts it into a signal train that conforms to a desired command system. .

More specifically, the present invention converts commands sent from the host computer to an image forming apparatus such as a printer that has a command system different from that of the host computer into the command system of the printer. This relates to a command conversion device that sends commands.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally known devices of this type have only the function of matching commands sent from the host computer to the command system of the printer.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Therefore, even when performing simple editing such as enlarging or reducing image data, it is necessary to change the transmission command itself on the host computer side, which has the disadvantage of requiring software or hardware changes. .

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned points, an object of the present invention is to provide a command conversion device configured to enlarge or reduce image data sent from a host computer without changing the image data itself. It is in.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention introduces a signal train according to a predetermined command system and instructs an enlargement factor of image data in a command conversion device that converts the signal train into a signal train compatible with the desired command system. It is equipped with a selection switch.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the image data sent from the host computer is multiplied by 1 or 2 times depending on the setting state of the switch.
This is a command converter that magnifies the image twice or three times, converts it into a printer command system, and sends it out.

In this figure, 1 is a host computer, 2 is a printer, 3 is a command conversion device according to this embodiment, and 4 is a CPU.
(Central Processing Unit), 5 is a ROM (Read Only Memory) which stores the IJaO program which will be detailed later;
6 is a RAM (random access memory), and 7 is a switch for instructing the magnification of image data (pixel data).

Here, the command system of the host computer 1 and the command system of the printer 2 are different. Further, the present command conversion device 3 includes a CPU 4. It is equipped with ROM 5° RAM 6 and switch 7. The switch 7 can be set to the positions 1, 2, and 3, and as will be described in detail later, the magnification of the image data is controlled according to this setting position.

The CPII 4 reads/writes data to/from the RAM 6 according to a procedure programmed in the ROM 5 in advance, and also converts signals sent from the host computer 1 in accordance with the command system of the printer. That is, the CPU
When the printer 4 receives the "image mode selection command" from the host computer 1, it converts the command according to the setting position of the switch 7, enlarges the subsequent image data to the magnification specified by the switch 7, and sends it to the printer 2.
It is sent to

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control program of (:PO2) stored in the ROM 5.

In step S1, from the host computer 1
Determine whether a signal has been received.

In step S2, it is determined whether the signal transferred from the host computer 1 is an "image mode selection command". As a result, if it is not an "image mode selection command", the printer 2
It is converted in accordance with the command system of , is transferred to the printer 2 in step 4, and returns to step 51 again.

In step S2, "Image mode selection command"
If it is determined that this is the case, the set position of the switch 7 is read in step S5, and the enlargement magnification is selected.

In step 56-1, an 8-dot bit image is specified in order to energize a 24-dot print head (not shown) by 8 dots. That is, the "image mode selection command" corresponding to the magnification factor of 1 is converted according to the command system of the printer 2 and is transferred to the printer 2.

In the subsequent step 57-1, the image data is enlarged by a factor of 1 and converted to match the command system of the printer 2. Then, in step 58-1, the data is transferred to the printer 2, and the process returns to step Sl.

Similarly, step 56-2.57-2. In step S8-2, processing is performed when the magnification is 2x, and in steps 56-3, 57-3, and 58-3, processing is performed when the magnification is 3x.

In this way, the image data transferred from the host computer 1 can be enlarged by 1, 2, or 3 times by the switch 7 of the command conversion device.

FIG. 3 shows an example of expanding image data according to this embodiment.

Here, A is 18 transferred from host computer 1.
This is dot/bit image data (expressed in hexadecimal). Similarly, B is a 16-dot image enlarged twice.
Bit image data C is 24-dot bit image data enlarged three times.

Further, the dot patterns shown on the right side of these drawings are enlarged views when printed by the printer 2.

In the above-described embodiment, the magnification factor of the image data is set to 1 or more, but even when the magnification factor is set to 1 or less (i.e., when reducing), known techniques (such as dot thinning) can be used. The present invention can be carried out using the following methods.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, images can be easily converted without making any changes to the signals sent from the host computer, and only by providing a switch in the command conversion device. Data can be expanded or reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a command conversion device to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of expanding image data. l...Host computer, 2...Printer, 3...Command conversion device, 4...-cpu. 5.-ROM. 6-RAM. 7...Switch for selecting magnification. Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A command conversion device that introduces a signal train according to a predetermined command system and converts it into a signal train that conforms to the desired command system, comprising a selection switch that instructs the magnification of image data. A command conversion device characterized by: