JPS63217482A - Expansion method for vector graphic information - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To expand the overall vector graphic information on unit images to image information on each picture element, by using repetitively an alternate buffer memory. CONSTITUTION:A unit image is divided into areas 1a-1z and the vector graphic information forming the image information is stored in an area-based vector information area as the image information 2 of each area. For instance, the pattern of an area 2a is limited to a linear vector 3a only and the pattern of an area 2b is equal to four linear vectors 3b and 4a-4c. Thus the vector information edited for each area is expanded to dot information on an alternate buffer memory via the area-based dot information. Then the dot information is recorded at a print part. The vector information is expanded in parallel with each other to an alternate buffer memory different from the one containing the dot information recorded at the print part. This evolving action is repeated. Thus areas 2a-2z can be successively printed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to graphic information processing, and particularly to a method for developing vector graphic information suitable for recording devices such as printers.

[Conventional technology]

Vector graphic information is graphic information suitable for X-Y recorders, as shown on page 98 of the Image Electronic Handbook (published by Corona Publishing), but vector graphic information is graphic information suitable for each pixel, which is the smallest unit constituting a unit image. In comparison, it is suitable for computer internal representation because the amount of graphical information can be significantly reduced.

However, it is difficult to record with a dot-type printer using this vector graphic information, and the vector graphic information is developed into graphic information for each dot inside the computer and then transmitted to the printer. The amount of graphical information for each dot is extremely large. For example, for an A4 size document, 200dpi (
1 ton x inches), the amount of information is approximately 4.2 Mbit. It takes about 3 hours to transmit this information from a computer to a printer via a 400 bps (bits/second) serial transmission line, for example. In order to improve this drawback, a method can be considered in which vector graphic information is directly transmitted from a computer to a printer and developed into graphic information for each dot within the printer. However, in this case, it is difficult to have a memory of 4.2 Mbit within the printer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for expanding vector graphic information into graphic information for each driver without a large-capacity image memory.

[Means for solving problems]

The above purpose is to divide a unit image into multiple areas, obtain the vector information that makes up the figure in each area from the vector information that makes up the figure in the original unit image, and correspond to the number of pixels corresponding to the above area. The vector information in the area is sequentially developed into information for each pixel in the area in the alternating buffer memory, which is composed of two memories with a capacity of can be expanded into information for each pixel and recorded on a printer or the like.

[Effect]

By repeatedly using the alternate buffer memory, it is possible to expand the entire rB image vector graphic information into image information for each pixel. Since the information in the alternate buffer memory is transmitted to the print section and recorded sequentially, it is possible to develop such vector graphic information.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a processing circuit used in the method for developing vector graphic information according to the present invention. Since all the vector information constituting the unit image is transmitted from the computer to the printer side, it is stored in the negative vector information memory, the vector information is divided into areas, and the results are stored in the area-based vector information memory.

Until this process, the recording operation of the printer unit is not executed.

FIG. 2 shows the process of dividing vector information into areas. That is, the unit image 1 is divided into areas (la to lz), image information 2 for each area is obtained, and vector graphic information constituting the image information is stored in the area-based vector information memory shown in FIG. For example, the figure in area 2a has only a straight line vector 3a, and the figure in area 2b has four straight line vectors (3b, 4a, 4b, 4c).

The area-by-area vector information edited for each area in this way is developed into dot information by area-by-area dot information development on the alternate buffer memory, and the dot information is recorded by the print unit. By expanding the vector information in parallel on a different alternate buffer memory than the alternate buffer memory that contains the dot information recorded in the print section, and repeating this process,
Area 2a, area 2b, area 2c, . . . area 2z can be printed in this order.

Regarding the size of the area used here, for example, it is advantageous to set the size to an integral multiple of the rows of the dot matrix that constitute the character font, since character font development and vector information development can be performed in parallel.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, only a small capacity alternating buffer memory is required.
Vector information that makes up a large screen can be expanded into dot-by-dot information and printed.

As a result, the print data transmission time can be significantly shortened because the Bertle figure information from the computer can be transmitted to the printer section without being broken down into dots.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram used in a method for developing vector graphic information according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of dividing a unit image into areas.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The first process of dividing the unit image into vector-format graphic information forming a unit image into multiple areas and editing it into vector-format graphic information forming each area, corresponding to the number of pixels forming the area. a second process of developing vector-format graphic information constituting an area in one of two buffer memories having a capacity of
In the third process of sequentially outputting the contents of other buffer memories having information that has already been developed into pixel-by-pixel graphic information, the first process is executed first, then the second process is executed, and then the second process is executed. A method for developing vector graphic information, characterized in that the buffer memories are exchanged, the second process and the third process are executed, this is repeated a necessary number of times, and finally the third process is executed.