JPS6249534A - Picture output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability of a picture output device by processing the output data outputted from each host according to the stored output attribute. CONSTITUTION:The print data issued from computers 21-23 are fetched by a CPU2 and stored successively in a page buffer 4. Here the subpage buffers 5-7 store the print data and also the output attribute information. Thus the picture information issued from computers 21-23 can be outputted smoothly since these information are processed based on the stored output attribute.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image output device that outputs image information transmitted from a plurality of hosts such as computers.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional image output device, in which image information 21 to 23 is sent to one printer 24 via cables 1 to 3.
The printer 24 outputs image information sent from the computers 21 to 23 depending on the availability of the printer 24.

Next, the operation shown in FIG. 6 will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the output operation of the printer 24 shown in FIG.
will be sent to. 31d is an interrupt permission command, and upon receiving this interrupt permission command 31d, the printer 24 communicates with other computers,
For example, image information from the computers 22 and 23 is output.

Communication information 32a and 32b is sent from the computer 22 to the printer 24 via cable 2. 32c
is a command that specifies an output attribute; for example, it shows an enlargement specification. Note that the output attribute indicates, for example, the output form of an image (including symbols such as characters). 32d is an interrupt permission instruction. 33a to 33e are printed images.

Image information 3 from computer 21 via cable 1
1a is sent to the printer 24, the sent image information 31a is interpreted and a printed image 33a is printed on recording paper P, for example.
Output. Next, when the image information 31b is similarly sent from the computer 21 to the printer 24 via the cable 1, a printed image 33b is output onto the recording paper P. continue.

When an interrupt permission command 31d is sent from the computer 21 to the printer 24 via cable 1, the printer 24
prints the printed image 33c on the recording paper P based on the character information 32a sent from the computer 22 to the cable 2.
Output above 6Next, when the computer 22 sends a command 32C1 to change attributes via cable 2, for example, a command to change from a standard size image to an enlarged size image, the image information 32b sent next is enlarged and recorded. paper P
Next, when the computer 22 sends an interrupt permission command 32d to the printer 24, the image information 3 is sent from the computer 21.
1c was output on recording paper P as a printed image 33e.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

As can be seen from the print images 33a to 33d output on the recording paper PL, when the interrupt permission command 32d is sent after the command 32c to change the attribute is output, the printer 24
For example, all of the input image information is enlarged and printed, which causes problems such as unintended images being output on the recording paper P. For this reason, this type of device must be configured to completely prohibit attribute changes, or if interrupts from other computers are permitted, operations must be performed to restore the attributes to their original state. There were problems such as significantly lowered performance.

This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and allows characters to be output from each host without affecting the image information output from other hosts by changing the output attributes of each host such as a computer. An object of the present invention is to obtain an image output device that can smoothly output image information such as the following according to output attributes.

[F-stage to solve problems]

The image output device according to the present invention has attribute storage means for storing output attributes in output data sent from each host, and stores output attributes in output data output from each host in the output attributes stored in the attribute storage means. The system is configured to perform processing based on the following information.

[Effect]

In this invention, the attribute storage means stores output attributes in output data output from each computer,
The output processing of output data sent from each computer is changed while referring to the attribute storage means.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of an image output device showing an embodiment of the present invention, and the same components as in FIG. 6 are given the same reference numerals.

In this figure, 1 is a printer main body, and 2 is a CPU constituted by, for example, a microprocessor, which also serves as the attribute changing means of the present invention. 3 is program memory,
It stores the CPU 2 program itself and various tables for printing.

4 is a page buffer, which is used by external computers 21 to 23.
Stores output data, that is, print data. 5-7
is a subpage buffer serving as an attribute storage means of the present invention, which stores output data, that is, print data, in one-to-one correspondence with each computer 21 to 23, and also stores output attribute information to be described later. A pattern generation control circuit 8 refers to the print data stored in the page buffer 4 and controls generation of font patterns. Note that the pattern generation control circuit 8 has a microprocessor. A frame memory 9 stores a dot image corresponding to one page of paper. A font memory 10 stores the font pattern of each image used for printing.

11 is a video interface circuit (video I/F);
Converts the dot image in the frame memory 9 to a serial electrical signal, for example, by using a laser beam printer.
N10 FF Convert to F signal. 12 to 14 are interface circuits composed of, for example, R5-232C,
Each computer 21-23 is connected.

Next, the operation will be explained.

The computers 21-23 and the printer main body 1 are connected via interface circuits 12-14, respectively. Print data from the computers 21 to 23 is taken into the CPU 2 via each interface circuit 12 to 14 and sequentially sent to the page buffer 4. At that time, the print data from the computer 21 is sent to the subpage buffer 5.
The print data from the computer 22 is sequentially stored in the subpage buffer 6, and the print data from the computer 23 is sequentially stored in the subpage buffer 7. However, in actual printing, only print data from one specific computer is printed. The computer that transfers the print data to be actually printed may be changed by operating a switch (not shown) on the printer side, or by a control command sent from each computer. For example, print data from the computer 21 is stored in the subpage buffer 5.
Print data from other computers 22.23 is stored until the subpage buffer 6.7 overflows, at which time each computer against bu
Instructs to be in sy state.

For example, if one page of print data is stored from the computer 21 that is executing the print, or if the computer that prints is changed manually or by a control command,
When the page is forcibly closed, the CPU 2 transfers the font pattern in the +11i next font memory 10 to the frame memory 9 in accordance with the pattern development instruction to the pattern generation control circuit 8, the start address of the print data in the subpage buffer, and the image attribute. Develop a pattern. When the font pattern development in the frame memory 9 for one page of print data is completed, the pattern generation control circuit 8 notifies the CPU 2 of the completion of the font pattern development. C
When the PU 2 detects the development path r of the font pattern, it instructs the video interface circuit 11 to convert it into a video signal, and the video ink face circuit 11 sequentially processes each dot in the frame memory 9, which is a dot image for one page, using a laser beam. Convert to ON10FF serial signal and obtain the output of this page.

Next, the subpage buffers 5 to 7 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating information records stored in the subpage buffers 5 to 7 shown in FIG.
b. Pointer information 15C to the information record of the page
, pointer information 15 to the information record of the next page
It is composed of d, etc. 16 is a print data record, which is indicated by pointer information 15c. The print data record 16 is composed of record information 16a and print data 16b. Note that the pointer information 15d indicates the next page's old residence information]7.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the former residence information 15a and the final attribute information 15b shown in FIG.
In other words, bit bl is an output attribute flag for enlarging print data.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the print data record 16 shown in FIG. 2, where 19 is a print data record, pointer information 19a to the primary print record, and a line in which print data is printed in the print record. 9-digit location information 19b
, attribute information 19C of the print data in the print record,
The print record includes the number of characters of print data 19d and print data 19e.

Next, the attribute changing operation according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic diagrams for explaining the attribute changing operation according to the present invention, and the same parts as in FIGS. 2 to 5 are given the same reference numerals. The image information and output attributes to be printed are based on the print data shown in FIG. 7.

4A shows a storage state of print data output from the computer 21, and FIG. 1B shows a storage state of print data output from the computer 22.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the print record 15 sent from the computer 21 has the former residence information 15a and the final attribute information 15b both FX "00" J, and the print data record 19 indicated by the pointer information 15c. The position information 19b is f1 line l#frj, the attribute information 19c is ``i'X''00paj, the number of characters 19d is ``3J, and the print data 19e is rA, B, CI
The pointer information 19a points to the print data record 19 of the next line. In the print data record 19 of the next line, the 1 position information 19b is "2 rows 1 digit", the attribute information 19c is "X"00"", and the character al 9d
1r3j Tona IJ, printing day') 19e is fD,
E, FJ. In addition, the old residence information 15a of the print record 15 indicated by the pointer information 15d of the print record 15 is tX゛OO'' without expansion.
Print data record 1 indicated by pointer information 15c
9, position information 19b is T1 row 1 digit, 1, attribute information 19
c becomes rx "00°", the number of characters 19d becomes f3j, the print data 19e becomes TM, N, Oj, and the pointer information 19a points to the print data record]9 of the next line.

In addition, the print record 1 sent from the computer 22
5, as shown in the same figure (b), the old residence information 75a is FX "00" and 1.4 @ the final attribute information 15b is FX "8".
0"J, and the print data record 19 indicated by the pointer information 15c has the position information 19b of 11 rows and 1 digit",
Attribute information 19c fX "00" j Tonari, number of characters 19d becomes F3J, print data 19e becomes lrG, H
, II, and the pointer information 19a indicates the print data record 19 of the next line. In the print data record 19 on the next line, the position information 19b is "2 rows 1 digit", and the attribute information 19c is fX "80" J, 'Z,
The number of characters 19d becomes 31, and the print data 19e becomes fJ.
, I, j, and the former residence information t of the print record 15 indicated by the pointer information 15d of the print record 15.
5a is fX'"80"j with expansion.

Therefore, after printing the print data 19e output from the computer 21, that is, rA, B, and Cj without enlarging, and printing rD, E, and Fj on the next line without enlarging, Print data 19e,
That is, fG, H.

After printing "■" without enlargement, the print data 19e output from the computer 22, that is, FJ, Lj
is specified by the attribute information 19c, that is, it is printed with enlargement. Next, the print data 19e output from the computer 21, that is, fM, N, Oj, is printed without the enlargement specified by the attribute information 19c.

In this way, the attribute information 19 in the print data of each computer 21 to 23 stored in the subpage buffers 5 to 7
Since the print data 19e is printed while referring to ct-, it is possible to print based on the output attributes of each computer 21-23.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which an image is outputted using, for example, a laser beam printer, but the present invention can also be applied to a case where an image is displayed on a display means such as a bitmap display. In addition, in the example described,
Printer equipment: The case where the CPU 2 of the δ main body 1 manages the output attributes of the print data 19e has been described, but by providing such an L stage externally, the printer main body 1 and the R5-2
It may also be possible to perform this by connecting through an interface such as 32C.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained hereafter, the present invention has an attribute storage p stage for storing output attributes in output data sent from each host, and the output data output from each host is stored in the attribute storage means. Since the configuration is configured to process based on output attributes, image information output from each computer can be output smoothly without affecting the image information output from other computers when changing the attributes of each computer.
It has the advantage of greatly improving operability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an image output device showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating information records stored in the subpage buffer shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. Former residence information shown in the figure. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram explaining the final attribute information, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram explaining the print data shown in Figure 2, Figure 5 (a), Cb'')
is a schematic diagram illustrating the attribute changing operation according to the present invention, No. 6
The figure is a block diagram explaining the configuration of a conventional image output device.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the output operation of the printer shown in FIG. 6. In the figure, 1 is the main body of the printer, 2 is the CPU, 3 is the program memory, 4 is the page buffer, 5 to 7 are the subpage buffers, 8 is the pattern generation control circuit, 9 is the frame memory, 1o is the font memory, and 11 is the Video interfaces 21-23 are computers. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image output device that displays or outputs image information sent from a plurality of hosts, comprising attribute storage means for storing output attributes in output data sent from each host,
An image output device characterized in that it is configured to process output data output from each host based on the output attributes stored in the attribute storage means.