KR100686565B1 - Print control device - Google Patents

Abstract

The data development part 30 of the printing control device X which executes the printing operation to the printing head in units of rows along the horizontal direction L with respect to the conveying direction F of the paper P is formed in relation to the paper P. Expand the argument information onto the bitmap. The raster rise processing unit 50 scans the bitmap data developed by the data developing unit 30, so that the printing section identifying unit 51 is an unmanned element continuous in the conveying direction F of the paper P. FIG. Identifies the interval and the argument interval. Recognize the length of these sections. The paper feed control unit 60 controls the feeding amount of the paper P according to the length of the section between the unmanned section and the printing section, and at the same time, the printing head control section 61 prints a print corresponding to one printing section. The printing operation for one row by the printing head Y2 is cut and divided so as not to be divided over a plurality of rows.

Description

Print Control Unit {PRINT CONTROL DEVICE}

1 is a block diagram functionally showing one embodiment of a printing device having a printing control device according to the present invention;

2 is a flowchart showing a print processing sequence by the print control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printing result obtained by repeating the processing from S5 to S8 of FIG. 2 twice and a corresponding printing section management table. FIG.

4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printing result obtained by repeating the processing from S5 to S8 of FIG. 2 twice.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a printing result obtained by repeating the processing from S5 to S8 of FIG. 2 twice. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of a printing result obtained by repeating the processing from S5 to S8 of FIG. 2 twice.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printing result obtained by repeating the processes from S9 to S11 of FIG. 2 twice, and then repeating the same process twice again.

8 is a schematic view showing an example of a printing result by a conventional dot impact method printer.                 

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

10: interface

20: data classification unit

22: image data processing unit

30: data development unit

40: printer memory

41: factor interval management table

50: rasterize processing unit

51: factor interval identification unit

60: paper feed control

61: print head control unit

A: printing device

B: information processing device

X: printing control device

Y1: paper feed mechanism

Y2: print head

P: Paper

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing control device suitable for a dot impact printer or the like which executes printing on a line basis.

The dot impact type serial printer executes printing in units of rows while reciprocating the print head in the horizontal direction (main scanning direction) with respect to the paper feeding direction (sub-scan direction). For example, a needle pin of 24 pins arranged in a sub-scanning direction is used.

In such a dot impact type printer, the paper feed amount is generally equivalent to one line of the print head, that is, the number of print dots by executing at a constant character size and line spacing. The step feed method is adopted. Further, when the print head moves from the home position along the main scanning direction to the return position, the needle pin hits the ink ribbon or the like to print a dot matrix-shaped character or the like on the paper, and then returns from the return position to the home position as it is. By repeating the operation, the print operation is executed in units of rows. Recently, even when the print head returns from the return position to the home position, the print operation is executed to enable high-speed printing for two rows in one round trip.

By the way, according to the operation of the printer described above, for example, when printing a character as a simple image, a section (factor section) that should be printed continuously in the sub-scanning direction and a section that does not correspond to the line (unmanned section) Irrespective of the fact that the sheet feeding amount is constant, a side-shifted state as shown in Fig. 8, that is, banding with a virtual line visible between the rows may occur.

This banding is because the home position (not shown) does not exactly match each time the print head H is reciprocated, and is not limited to a dot impact printer, and a common problem of serial printers that execute printing in rows is a problem. do. In the banding shown in Fig. 8, the printing head H starts printing operation a little earlier than the home position in the n + 1st line, and is shifted by almost one dot.

In addition, in the case where high-speed printing for two rows is possible by one reciprocating movement by the print head H, the printing start position is reversely rotated in adjacent rows and rows, so that shifting is particularly easy to occur laterally. For example, as indicated by an arrow in parentheses in Fig. 8, when the printing head H in the n + 1st line moves in the opposite direction (backward direction) to the previous nth moving direction (the backward direction), In the same manner as in Fig. 4, the side shifts as shown in the drawing occurred, and thus, a satisfactory print quality could not be obtained.

Accordingly, the present invention has been devised based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printing control device of good printing quality while preventing side shifting (banding) in printing results.

MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM In order to solve the said subject, the following technical means are calculated | required.

That is, the printing control device provided by the present invention is a printing control device which performs printing operation on the printing head in units of rows along the horizontal direction with respect to the conveying direction of the paper, and prints the printing information on the paper on the bitmap. A factor for recognizing the length of the section while distinguishing the unmanned section and the printing section that are continuous in the conveying direction of the sheet by scanning the data developing means for expanding to and the bitmap data developed by the data developing means. The transfer amount of the paper is variably controlled in accordance with the section length between the section identification means and the unprinted section and the print section obtained by the print section identifying means, and a factor corresponding to one print section is provided in a plurality of rows. Paper sheet for controlling while cutting and dividing one row of print operations by the print head so as not to be divided over. And it is characterized in that it comprises a printing control means.

According to the printing control device provided by the present invention in which the above technical means has been devised, the printing is continuously executed in the sub-scanning direction in the same manner as the printing section in which the printing should be performed continuously in accordance with the paper feeding direction (the sub-scanning direction). Unmanned intervals that do not exist are recognized. Then, the printing of the printing section for one printable section is completed by the printing operation for one row of the printing head moving in the horizontal direction (main scanning direction) of the paper by variably controlling the feeding amount of the paper, and then The arguments to the argument interval of are not simultaneously executed. That is, within the width of the print line for one line by the print head, the conveyance amount of the paper is adjusted so that the whole of the print section to be printed successively is completely inserted, and the print operation is performed by extracting the extra unmanned section. It is executed for each argument section. Therefore, even if the print head is in an operating state that causes a shift in each row, as long as the print section falls within the print width of the print head, banding can be prevented without shifting laterally in the print result, and characters are printed as images. Can produce excellent print quality.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sheet conveying printing control means includes, when there are any number of printing sections falling within the printing width of the printing head, the printing of all of these printing sections is divided into one row by the printing head. It can be set as the structure which completes according to printing operation.

According to this configuration, when there are a plurality of print sections that fall within the print width of the print head, since the text lines and the like in all of these print sections are printed only in one row without following two or more print operations, Even in the character lines of the same plural line, it is possible to make it look good so that side shift does not occur in the print result.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sheet conveying factor control means, when a part of one of the printing sections of the plurality of printing sections is pushed out from the printing width of the printing head, the printing of the one printing section at this point in time. It can be set as the structure started by the printing operation of the next line by the said printing head, without executing.

According to this configuration, when there is one print section in which a part of the print head is pushed out from the print width of the print head, the character lines of the print section are separated from each other and are not printed in two or more rows, so that the print section is partially separated from the print width. Even if there is a line of characters pushed out, the argument can be executed on the next line, and as long as the line is within the width of the argument head, it can be nice to avoid side shifts in the result of the argument.                     

Further, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sheet conveying print control means includes a plurality of prints of the print section in the print head when there is one print section that does not completely fit within the print width of the print head. It can be set as the structure which completes by repeating a line-printing operation.

According to this configuration, when there is one print section that does not completely fit within the print width of the print head, while performing a sheet conveying operation in units of one line corresponding to the print width of the print head, the text lines of the print section and the like are executed. You can run a print operation on the print head every line to complete the entire print.

Further, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sheet conveying factor control means feeds the sheet while transferring the sheet so that the upper end of the printing row by the print head coincides on a boundary line that changes from the unmanned section to the printing section. The head can be configured to execute a print operation.

According to this configuration, since the sheet is conveyed on the basis of the upper end of the print row by the print head, the conveying amount can be easily determined when conveying the sheet, and the printing result for one printing section is divided and printed. It is possible to actively prevent side shifts that seem to occur, and as a result, printing quality can be improved over the entire sheet.

In addition, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the print head is movable in the horizontal direction of the conveying direction of the sheet, and the sheet conveying print control means makes it possible to carry out the return path and the return path every time the print head is reciprocated. It can be configured to complete two lines of print operation in both directions.

According to this structure, the high speed printing for two rows is performed by one reciprocating movement by the print head, and the shift | offset | difference does not arise sideways in the print result of each row.

Further, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the print head executes a print operation of the dot impact method, so that the print operation of the color print method can be performed.

According to such a structure, the said outstanding effect can be acquired in a monochrome printer or color printing of a dot impact system. Further, the present invention has an optimal configuration for printing characters as an image by a dot impact printer, but is not limited to this printing method, but a serial printing printer, such as an inkjet method or a thermal transfer, which requires banding measures. Applicable to the type of printer.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiment of this invention is described concretely with reference to drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram functionally showing one embodiment of a printing device having a printing control device according to the present invention. In the printing device A shown in this figure, the entire operation is controlled by the printing control device X. In addition to the printing control device X, the paper P is moved in a predetermined sheet conveying direction (symbol F). Print head for performing the printing operation while reciprocating in the horizontal direction (the main scanning direction indicated by the sign L) with respect to the paper feed mechanism Y1 for feeding the paper through a stepping motor or the like in the sub-scanning direction shown]. (Y2) and the like. As the printing head Y2, for example, one in which a 24-pin needle pin is zigzag arranged in the sub-scanning direction Y1 is used, and printing is performed on the paper by the printing method of the dot impact method. In addition, the printing device A is connected to the information processing device B, such as a computer, via the interface 10 as an example, and performs a predetermined operation in accordance with the print queue from the information processing device B. FIG.

The printing control unit X mainly comprises a microcomputer composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a gate array, and the like, and functionally includes an interface 10, a data separator 20, a code data processor 21, and image data. It is divided into a processing unit 22, a data development unit 30, a printer memory 40, a rasterize processing unit 50, a printing section identification unit 51, a paper feed control unit 60 and a printing head control unit 61, etc. It is.

The interface 10 is for exchanging data between an external information processing apparatus B and the like. The data classification unit 20 is for determining whether the print information received from the information processing apparatus B or the like is code data defined by character codes or the like or image data defined in dot units. The code data processing unit 21 is for preparing a character code or the like as printing data. In addition, in the case of executing the print through the code data processing unit 21, the operation sequence as in the prior art is also good or the operation sequence of the present invention described later is also good, and the printer memory 40 is executed without executing the rasterization process described later. The order of operation through the back is also good. The image data processing unit 22 is for generating image data received from the information processing apparatus B or the like into the data for printing. In addition, when executing a print through the image data processing part 22, the operation procedure of this invention mentioned later is applied.

The data developing unit 30 is for developing the printing data for the sheet P on the bit map via the printer memory 40. The printer memory 40 functions as a print buffer at the time of the print operation, and is used as a work space for storing bit map data, the print section management table 41, and the like developed by the data deployment unit 30. . For example, the rasterize processing unit 50 is for scanning bit map data along a direction corresponding to the main scanning direction L. FIG. The printing section identifying section 51 distinguishes the unprinted section in which printing is not performed continuously in the sub-scanning direction from the results obtained by the scanning of the rasterize processing section 50 and the printing section to be printed, and the lengths of these sections. To calculate the coordinates in the dot unit as the norm. In addition, the coordinate data of the unmanned section and the print section obtained by the print section identification unit 51 is stored in the print section management table 41. This printing section management table 41 is explained in full detail in the operation description below.

The sheet conveyance control unit 60 is for controlling the sheet conveying operation of the sheet conveying mechanism Y1 based on the coordinate data regarding the unmanned section and the printing section stored in the printing section management table 41. As will be described in detail below, according to the paper feed control unit 60, the paper P is conveyed so that the upper end of the factor dot of the printing head Y2 coincides with the boundary line that changes from the unmanned section to the printing section. The print head control section 61 is for controlling the print operation by the print head Y2 together with the paper feed control section 60. This will be described later in detail, but according to the print head control section 61, the print operation can be performed in the print head Y2 in units of rows. That is, the point is briefly stated, while the extra unmanned section is extracted by the operation of the paper feed control section 60 and the print head control section 61, the print factor corresponding to each print section is the one-row printout of the print head Y2. It is executed to actively complete by action.

That is, the data developing unit 30 realizes data developing means for developing the printing information on the sheet on the bit map. The rasterize processing section 50 and the print section identification section 51 scan the bitmap data developed by the data development means, thereby distinguishing the unmanned section and the print section that are continuous in the sheet conveying direction, A printing section identifying means for recognizing the length is realized. The paper feed control unit 60 and the print head control unit 61 control the amount of feeding of paper according to the length of the section between the unmanned section and the print section obtained by the print section identifying means, and correspond to one print section. The sheet conveying printing control means for controlling while cutting the printing operation for one row by the printing head is partially realized so that the printing factor is not divided over a plurality of rows.

Further, the printing control device X having such a configuration can realize the operation by the CPU reading a program from a storage medium such as a ROM storing a program corresponding to the operation of the above means and executing the program.                     

Next, the operation of the printing device having the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

2 is a flowchart showing the print processing procedure by the print control device X. FIG. In addition, the printing process shown in this figure corresponds to the case where printing information received by the information processing apparatus B is image data.

First, the data classification unit 20 transfers the image data received at the same time as the print queue from the information processing apparatus B to the image data processing unit 22 via the interface 10, and the image data processing unit 22 transmits the image data. Generate the argument data from (S1). This print data is information for controlling the paper feed mechanism Y1 and print head Y2 described later.

Next, the data developing unit 30 receives the printing data from the image data processing unit 22, and expands the printing data on the bit map via the printer memory 40 (S2). The bitmap data developed on the bitmap is positional information in dots defined by the X coordinate of the main scanning direction L and the Y coordinate of the sub scanning direction F. According to this bit map data, an argument must be executed. Dots to be performed and dots not executing arguments are expressed in matrix form.

When the bitmap data is created, the rasterize processing unit 50 scans the bitmap data every row for one dot along the X-axis direction (main scanning direction), and transmits the scan result to the printing section identification unit 51. Transfer (S3).

The printing section identifying unit 51 distinguishes the unmanned section and the printing section continuing in the Y-axis direction (sub-scan direction) based on the scanning result of the rasterize processing section 50, and recognizes the section length thereof (S4). . Here, the unmanned section is a section in which a dot string in which no printing is performed is performed along the Y-axis direction coinciding with the conveying direction of the paper P, and a blank line is used as an actual printing result for this unmanned section. Is formed. On the other hand, at least one dot along the Y-axis direction is a section in which the dot strings to execute the print are consecutive, and the print section is the same as the actual print result of the print section. Character lines are formed. The information about the unmanned section and the print section is stored in the print section management table 41 with the Y coordinate of the boundary line that changes from the unmanned section to the print section or vice versa. The paper conveyance control part 60 mentioned later controls it, referring the content of the following. In addition, the detail of the printing section management table 41 is shown simultaneously with the following description.

When the printing section management table 41 is created as described above, each of the paper conveying control unit 60 and the printing head control unit 61 actually controls the paper conveying mechanism Y1 and the printing head Y2 to form the paper P. FIG. Start the argument to).

Specifically, the paper feed control unit 60 determines whether or not the printing section to execute printing exists in the printing section management table 41 (S5).

When there is a printing section (S5: YES), the paper feed control unit 60 has a printing head at a position corresponding to the boundary line that changes from the unmanned section to the printing section on the upper end of the printing section, that is, the paper P. The paper P is transferred to the paper feed mechanism Y1 so as to coincide with the upper end of the printing dot (needle pin) of (Y2) (S6).                     

At this time, the paper feed control section 60 is based on the contents of the printing section management table 41, the length of the section of the printing section to be printed, that is, the dot continuous in the paper conveying direction (Y-axis direction) of the printing section. It is determined whether or not the width is equal to or less than the number of dots (for example, 24 dots) corresponding to the printing width of one row of the printing head Y2 (S7).

When the dot width of the print section is equal to or less than the print width of one row by the print head Y2 (S7: YES), the print head control unit 61 executes the print operation of one row on the print head Y2 (S8). After that, the process returns to S5 again and the series of operations by the paper feed control unit 60 are repeated.

3 to 6 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the printing result obtained by repeating the processing from S5 to S8 of FIG. 2 twice, and particularly, the contents of the printing section management table 41 are also shown in FIG. In addition, although the dot which forms the image Im is shown in the state parallel to 12 in the sub-scanning direction for convenience, the image Im is actually formed by 24 dot rows corresponding to the number of dots of the printing head Y2.

As shown in the printing section management table of FIG. 3, the number of dots from the Y coordinate of the upper end of the printing section n2 and n4 to the Y coordinate of the upper end of the next unmanned section n3 and n5 is determined by the printing head Y2. When the number of dots (24 in this example) or less, the printing head Y2 prints out the factors corresponding to one row of horizontal lines in each of the printing sections n2 and n4 by one printing operation. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an excellent printing quality in which an image Im, such as a character displayed in the printing result, is shifted laterally, that is, no so-called banding occurs.                     

In addition, the printing result shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by completing two rows of printing operations in both directions of the return path and the return path in one round trip when the print head Y2 reciprocates along the main scanning direction Y by the high speed print. will be. When performing such a high speed printing, a shift occurs easily in each row due to the positional accuracy of the printing head Y2, but even in such a case, the printing sections n2 and n4 have a width of one row of the printing head Y2. As long as it enters inside, the side shift does not arise in the image Im displayed on the printing result.

On the other hand, in Fig. 5, the printing result by one printing operation is displayed for each of the printing intervals n2 and n4 of the number of 18 dots falling within the printing width of one row of the printing head Y2. When the print head Y2 performs the print operation according to (n2), as indicated by hatching in the figure, the overlapping portion occurs due to the proximity of the print section n4 on the next row. Also in this case, as long as the printing sections n2 and n4 fall within the printing width of one row of the printing head Y2, the printing operation for the preceding printing section n2 corresponds to the next printing section n4. The cutting head is cut in each section so as not to execute the printing operation of the part to be printed out, and after the previous printing section (n2) has completed printing, the printing head (Y2) at the top Y coordinate (32 in this example) of the next printing section (n4). The same print operation is repeated by matching the top of the print dot of. Therefore, even if the image Im, such as a character line corresponding to the adjacent printing intervals n2 and n4 through the unmanned segment n3, is prevented, the state which each character line shifts to the side can be prevented actively, and excellent printing is performed. Quality can be obtained.                     

In addition, in FIG. 6, the printing section of two rows which is settled within the printing width of one row of the printing head Y2 is regarded as one printing section n2 and n4, and the two rows of horizontal rows of each printing section n2 and n4. Argument result corresponding to can be obtained. In such a case, the image Im such as the two lines of characters displayed in the printing result does not shift sideways, and excellent printing quality can be obtained even when a small character or the like is reduced in printing compared to the printing head.

2, when the dot width of the printing section does not fall below the printing width of the printing head Y2 (S7: No), the printing head control section 61 prints the printing head Y2 like S8. (1), the paper feed control unit 60 then feeds the paper P for the paper feed amount (24 dots) corresponding to one line of the printing head Y2. (S10).

Then, the paper feed control unit 60 again determines whether or not the remaining width of the printing section currently being printed is equal to or less than the printing width of one row of the printing head Y2 based on the contents of the printing section management table 41 (S11). ).

When the remaining width of the print section is equal to or less than the print width of one row by the print head Y2 (S11: YES), the print head control unit 61 performs the print operation for one row in the print head Y2 like S8 and S9. After that (S12), the process returns to S5 again, and a series of operations by the paper feed control unit 60 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the remaining width of the printing section does not fall below the printing width of the printing head (S11: No), the paper feed control unit 60 and the printing head control unit 61 return to S9 again to set the series for the remaining printing sections. Repeat the operation.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printing result obtained by repeating the processes from S9 to S11 of FIG. 2 twice, and then repeating the same process twice again. As shown in this figure, when the number of dots from the Y coordinate of the upper end of the printing section N2, N4 to the Y coordinate of the upper end of the next unmanned section N3, N5 is larger than the number of dots of the printing head Y2. That is, in the case of enlarging and printing a large character or the like compared to the printing width of the printing head Y2, the printing head Y2 has a number of times required for printing a factor corresponding to one row of rows in each of the printing sections N2 and N4. In this example, it is taken out by 2 times) print operation. Therefore, the effect of the present invention as described above cannot be expected in the case of expanding and printing a large character or the like as compared with the printing head, but one character line may be obtained even when randomly imprinting characters of different sizes on the paper P. FIG. It is possible to actively prevent side shifts, such as being divided and printed, and to improve the printing quality over the entire sheet.

Finally, in the case where the printing section to be printed in S5 does not exist in the printing section management table 41 (S5: No), the paper conveying control section 60 prints the paper ( The operation of discharging P) is executed (S13), and the execution of the program relating to this print processing is terminated.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

For example, the paper feed control unit 60 conveys the paper P such that the upper end position of the printing section coincides with the upper end of the printing dot in the printing head Y2 in S6 of FIG. 2, but the image such as characters is divided and printed. If not, it is also good to convey the printing line while adjusting the feeding amount of the paper P so that the printing line corresponding to the printing section falls within the printing width of the printing head Y2. In addition, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, each printing section is compared on the basis of the printing width of the printing head Y2, but such a comparison process is based on the contents of the printing section section management table 41, which has been created in advance, for each printing section. It is also good to carry out collectively for all the sections.

In addition, although the printing head Y2 in the printing apparatus A was mainly described as a monochrome dot impact method, the color printing method having an ink ribbon is also good as this kind of head, and the row is not limited to the dot impact method. The above-mentioned effect can also be obtained as an inkjet printing method or a thermal transfer printing head that performs printing in units.

Therefore, according to the printing control device X which performs the above-described configuration and operation, even when the printing head Y2 is reciprocated along the main scanning direction L, even if a position shift occurs due to a problem of accuracy or the like, As long as it falls within the print width of the print head Y2, banding can be actively prevented without causing side shifts in printing results such as characters represented by horizontal lines for each row, and printing is excellent when printing characters as images. I can do it with quality.

Claims (8)

A printing control device for executing a printing operation on a printing head in units of rows along a horizontal direction with respect to a conveying direction of paper, Data developing means for developing printing information on the sheet on a bit map; Printing section identification means for discriminating unmanned sections and printing sections that continue in the conveying direction of the sheet by scanning the bitmap data developed by the data developing means, and recognizing the lengths of these sections; The transfer amount of the paper is variably controlled in accordance with the length of the section between the unmanned section and the printing section obtained by the printing section identifying means, and the printing elements are arranged so that the factors corresponding to one printing section are not divided over a plurality of rows. If one or a plurality of print sections are controlled while partially cutting the print operation for one row by the print head, and also falls within the print width of the print head, printing the print head of all of the one or the print sections is performed. And a sheet feed printing control means for completing only one row of printing by the printing operation. delete The printing medium of claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying factor controlling means does not execute printing of one of the printing sections in the present section when a part of one of the printing sections is pushed out from the printing width of the printing head. And starting by the next row printing operation by the print head. The printing medium according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying printing control means repeats the printing operation of the plurality of rows in the printing head when the printing of the printing section has one printing section that does not completely fit within the printing width of the printing head. A printing control device characterized in that the completion by. 2. The printing operation according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying printing control means executes a printing operation on the printing head while conveying the paper so that the upper end of the printing row by the printing head coincides on a boundary line that changes from the unmanned printing section to the printing section. A printing control device, characterized in that. 2. The printing head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printing head is movable in the horizontal direction of the conveying direction of the paper, And the paper transfer printing control means completes the printing operation for two rows in both directions of the return path and the return path each time the print head is reciprocated. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing head executes a printing operation of a dot impact method. 8. A printing control device according to claim 7, wherein said printing head executes a printing operation of a color printing method.

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