JP2000272174A - Color printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a paper to be colored in an arbitrary color by using a function of a color printer without preparing a color paper. SOLUTION: This color printer comprises a background color designating means and a means for synthesizing a background color designated by the background color designating means and print data transmitted from a PC. The background color is designated by an operation panel or a command from the host PC, then print data is transmitted to the printer from the host PC (S101). One page of frame memory is prepared in a controller, then an operation for filling the frame memory with the designated background color (S102). Next, the developed print data is overwritten in the frame memory (S103).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color printer, and more particularly to a color printer having means for synthesizing print data and a background color.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a color printer, there is also a type in which created form data is developed in a designated color and printed by combining it with document data to be printed, or a type in which black and white document data to be printed is printed in a specified color. Conventionally, it exists (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-197780, “Color Printer” and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-277645, “Form Overlay Printer”). On the other hand, it is also practiced to prepare colored paper in advance and print on it.

[0003]

However, when printing is performed by preparing colored paper in advance, and when changing the color of the paper, the paper must be replaced each time. Unless paper of a desired color is prepared in advance, color conversion cannot be performed in the first place, which is inconvenient. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to use the function of easily obtaining the same effect by using the synthesizing function without preparing colored paper by utilizing the fact that the printer is a color printer. The purpose is to do so.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color printer having background color designating means, and means for synthesizing the background color designated by the background color designating means with print data sent from a PC. is there.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a background color designating means is provided.
C is a color printer having means for converting print data sent from C to black and white data and means for combining the converted black and white data with the background color.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a background color designating means, a character color designating means, a means for converting print data sent from a PC into black-and-white data, and the character-color designating means for converting the black-and-white converted data. The color printer includes means for converting a single color to a designated color, and means for combining the background color designated by the background color designating means and the print data converted to the single color.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the color printer according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising an operation panel for performing an operation of designating a background color or a character color, and using an RGB or C color printer.
A color printer characterized by holding a density value of each color of MYK and its color name as combination data and designating a background color or a character color by selecting the color name from the operation panel.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network interface, a background color designating means, and a designated background color and P
In a color printer having means for synthesizing print data sent from C, if the print data is sent via a network, the synthesizing process with the background color is performed by EOF (End
This is a color printer characterized by performing even the detection of a file (Of File) code.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network interface, a background color designating means, and a designated background color and P
In a color printer having means for synthesizing the print data sent from C, if the emulation switch command is sent to the head of the job via the centro, the synthesis processing with the background color is detected and the emulation switch command is detected. This is a color printer characterized in that the operation is performed until the operation is completed.

[0010] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a network interface, a background color designating means, a designated background color,
A color printer having means for synthesizing print data sent from a PC, having a plurality of centroports,
The printer is characterized in that when the print data is sent via the Centro and there is an automatic Centroport switching means, the processing for synthesizing with the background color is performed until the automatic Centroport switching processing is detected.

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Configuration and Operation of the Invention) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the controller 100. In the figure, 101
Is a program RO by a command from the host device.
The CPU controls the M104 program, mode instructions from the panel device, and the entire controller. 102
Is an IC card for supplying font data and programs from outside. Reference numeral 103 denotes an NVRAM, which is a non-volatile storage device that stores the content of a mode instruction from a panel device. A program ROM 104 stores a control program for the controller. 1
A font ROM 05 stores font pattern data and the like. An input buffer 106 for work memory input data of the CPU 101 is a RAM used as a page buffer for print data, a memory for download fonts, and the like. 107
Is an engine interface that communicates commands, statuses, and print data with the engine 108. Reference numeral 108 denotes an engine that actually performs printing. 1
Reference numeral 09 denotes a panel interface for communicating commands and status with the panel device 110. 110
Is a panel device for notifying the user of the current printer status and giving a mode instruction. Reference numerals 111 and 113 denote host interfaces for communicating with the host devices 112/114, which are usually Centro I / F or RS232C.
It is connected to the host by a network such as alk. 1
A host device 12/114 is a host device of the printer.

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the processing flowchart shown in FIG. How to specify background color etc.
(Personal computer), it is conceivable to use the printer driver properties. In that case, the actual color is specified while looking at the screen of the PC. The color specified here is sent to the printer together with the print data as a command.

(Invention of Claim 1) FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the invention of claim 1. The color printer of the present invention has both a color printing function and a black-and-white printing function, and has a background color designation unit, and a unit for synthesizing the designated background color and the print data sent from the PC. The background color is a designated color, and the print data can be printed as specified by the host PC. That is, when the synthesizing process starts (starts), a background color is designated by a command from the operation panel 110 or the host PC, and then print data is sent from the host PC (S101).
Then, a frame memory for one page is secured in the controller 100, and a process of painting the frame memory with the designated background color is performed (S102). Subsequently, the print data expanded in the frame memory painted in the above process is executed. Is overwritten (S103), and the drawing data processing process ends. In this case, the drawing data such as characters and figures is drawn in the same color as the host data as shown in the print sample in FIG.

(Invention of Claim 2) FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the invention of Claim 2. The color printer according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a color printing function, a black-and-white printing function, a background color designation unit, and a unit for converting print data sent from a PC into black-and-white data.
It has means for synthesizing the converted black and white data with the background color, so that the background color can be printed in the designated color and the print data can be printed in black and white regardless of the data of the host PC. That is, when the synthesizing process starts, a background color is designated by a command from the operation panel 110 or the host PC, and subsequently, color print data is sent from the host PC (S20).
1) Then, a frame memory for one page is secured in the controller 100, and a process of filling the frame memory with the designated background color is performed (S202). Then, the color print data sent from the host PC is copied. On the frame memory filled in above, the data is expanded while being converted to black and white data, and the print data is overwritten (S203).
The drawing data processing process ends. In this case, the drawing data such as characters and figures is drawn in black and white as shown in FIG.

(Invention of Claim 3) FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the invention of claim 3. A color printer according to a third aspect of the present invention has both a color printing function and a black-and-white printing function, and has a background color designating means, a character color designating means, and a means for converting print data sent from a PC into black-and-white data. Means for converting the monochrome converted data to a color designated by the character color designation function in a single color, and means for synthesizing the background color designated by the background color designation function and the print data subjected to the single color conversion. have. When using this printer, the print data sent from the host PC is converted into black and white data, and the black data portion is converted into a color designated as a print color. Therefore, both the background color and the print data are printed in the designated colors. That is, when the synthesizing process starts, the background color is designated by a command from the operation panel or the host PC, and stored as background color data in the controller 100 (S
301). Next, a print color is designated by a command from the operation panel or the host PC, and stored as print color data in the controller (S302).
In the case of 0, a frame memory for one page is secured, and the frame memory is painted with the designated background color (S303). Further, the color print data sent from the host PC is temporarily converted to black and white data, and is developed in the color specified by the print color on the frame memory (S304), and the processing of the drawing data is completed. In this case, the drawing data such as characters and figures is drawn in a monochrome color of the designated print color as shown in FIG.

(Invention of Claim 4) FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the invention of claim 4. The color printer according to claim 4 has both a color printing function and a black-and-white printing function, and when the operation of designating the background color or the character color is performed from the operation panel, the color printer is installed in the printer.
A combination of a density value of each color of RGB or CMYK and a color name are held as data, and a function of designating a background color or a character color by selecting the color name from the operation panel is provided. That is, this printer stores, in the controller 100, a table of color densities and color names as shown in FIG. 6, for example, from the color densities of red, yellow, and CMYK indicated by percentage for each color name. When the synthesis processing step is started and a color designation function is selected on the operation panel based on the table, the color name is displayed on the LCD in a menu format (S401), and the key operation of the operation panel is performed. The displayed color name is selected (S402), and CMYK color data is extracted from the selected color name with reference to a table, and the color data is used as a background or a printing color (S403). Here, the data is stored in CMYK, but may be RGB or other types of data.

(Invention of Claim 5) FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the invention of claim 5. The color printer according to the fifth aspect has a network interface, a background color designating unit, and a unit for combining the designated background color with the print data sent from the PC, and when the print data is sent via a network, The synthesis processing with the background color is performed until the EOF code is detected. That is, when the synthesizing process starts, first, the background color is designated by a command from the operation panel or the host PC (S501). Subsequently, print data is sent from the host PC, and the frame memory for one page is sent in the controller 100. And fills the frame memory with the designated background color (S502), and further overwrites the print data expanded on the filled frame memory (S502).
503) Here, it is determined whether or not the code is an EOF code (S5).
04) If it is an EOF code (S504, YES),
The frame memory is cleared with the white data, and the process ends in preparation for the next job. If it is not an EOF code (S50
4, NO), the process is repeated from the step S502 to the EOF code.

(Operation of Claim 6) FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the invention of claim 6. The color printer according to claim 6, further comprising a network interface, a background color designating means, and a means for combining the designated background color with the print data sent from the PC, wherein the print data is emulated at the head of the job via the Centro. When the switching command is sent, the process of synthesizing with the background color is performed until the emulation switching command is detected. In the case of the invention of claim 6, since the print data is via the Centroport, an emulation switching command is used instead of the EOF code. The judgment of “EOF code?” In the flowchart of FIG. 8 is replaced with “Emulation switching command?”. That is, when the combining process starts, first, the background color is designated by a command from the operation panel or the host PC (S60).
1) Subsequently, print data is sent from the host PC, the print data is secured in the frame memory for one page in the controller 100, and the frame memory is painted with the designated background color (S602). The developed print data is overwritten on the memory (S60).
3) Here, it is determined whether or not the command is an emulation switching command (S604). If the command is an emulation switching command (S604, YES), the frame memory is cleared with white data, and the process is completed for the next job. If the command is not an emulation switching command (S604, NO), the process returns to step S602, and the process is repeated until it is determined that the command is an emulation switching command.

(Invention of Claim 7) FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the invention of claim 7. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color printer having a network interface, a background color designating means, and a means for synthesizing the designated background color and the print data sent from the PC. If there is an automatic centroport switching function via the centro, the processing for synthesizing with the background color is performed until the automatic centroport switching processing occurs. That is, when the synthesizing process starts, first, the background color is designated by a command from the operation panel or the host PC (S70).
1) Subsequently, print data is sent from the host PC, the print data is secured in the frame memory for one page in the controller 100, and the frame memory is painted with the designated background color (S702). The developed print data is overwritten on the memory (S70).
3) Here, it is determined whether or not the automatic Centroport switching process is performed (S704). If the automatic Centroport switching process is performed (S704, YES), the frame memory is cleared with white data to prepare for the next job. To end. If it is not the Centroport automatic switching process (S704, N
O), the process is repeated from step S702 without ending the process. The present invention has a plurality of centroports,
If the print data has a Centroport automatic switching function via the Centro, the processing of synthesizing the background color is performed until the Centroport automatic switching processing occurs.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the operation of designating the background color or the character color is performed from the operation panel, the combination of the density value of each color of RGB or CMYK and the color name is stored in the printer as data. The function of designating the background color or the character color by selecting the color name from the operation panel can also be provided in the inventions of claims 5 to 7. That is, also in the inventions of claims 5 to 7, the operation of designating the background color or the character color can be performed from the operation panel. At this time, the combination of the density value of each color of RGB or CMYK and the color name is provided in the printer. Is held as data, and the background color or the character color can be designated by selecting the color name from the operation panel.

[0021]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, printing with a background color, which has been conventionally printed on color paper, can be performed using plain paper. The result corresponding to claim 2: In the invention of claim 1, when there is an object whose background color is similar to the color of the data to be printed, there is a problem that the portion is not visible. According to this, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the colors are not similar and cannot be seen. Effect corresponding to claim 3: In addition to the effect corresponding to claim 2, there is an effect that a noticeable printing result is obtained. For example, even if the same print data is used, printing can be performed so that important documents can be identified. Effect corresponding to claim 4: When specifying a color, since it is selected by color name, it is easy to use CM
YK or RGB data can be selected. Further, since the color data is stored in the table, the number of color names can be easily increased.

The end of processing is determined by the EOF code, so that the end code of the synthesizing function is not required. Further, even if data that does not use the normal combining function is sent, the job is divided by the EOF code, so that the combining function does not become effective by mistake until the next job. Advantageous Effect Corresponding to Claim 6: In addition to the effect of Claim 5, even in the case of a printer without a network function, a synthesizing function can be effectively exhibited.
Advantageous Effect Corresponding to Claim 7: In addition to the effect of Claim 6, the combining function can be effectively exhibited even in the case of a printer having no emulation switching command.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system of a color printer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a composition process of the color printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a color printer synthesizing process according to claim 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a color printer synthesizing process according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a print sample synthesized by the color printer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table of color densities and color names.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a color printer combining process according to claim 4;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a color printer combining process according to claim 5;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a color printer combining process according to claim 6;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing flow of a printer under claim 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

101: CPU, 102: IC card, 103: NVR
AM, 104: Program RAM, 105: Font R
OM, 106: RAM, 107: Engine IF, 108
... Engine part, 109 ... Panel interface, 11
0: panel device, 111, 113: host interface, 112, 114: host device,

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA15 AB05 BA08 BB01 BC05 BD01 BD07 BD24 BD42 BD46 CB03 CB06 CB13 2C262 AC03 AC07 AC19 BB03 BC01 CA04 DA18 EA10 EA17 GA09 5B021 AA01 AA02 BB01 CC05 LL05 PP06Z03 DD03 HH31 JJ35 KK42

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A color printer comprising: a background color designating unit; and a unit for combining a background color designated by the background color designating unit and print data sent from a PC. 2. A color printer comprising: a background color designating unit; a unit for converting print data sent from a PC into black and white data; and a unit for combining the background color and the converted black and white data. 3. A background color designating means, a character color designating means,
Means for converting the print data sent from the PC into black-and-white data, means for converting the black-and-white converted data into a single color to the color designated by the character color designating means, and a background designated by the background color designating means A color printer having means for combining a color and the print data converted into a single color. 4. The color printer according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation panel for performing an operation of designating a background color or a character color, wherein a numerical value of a density of each color of RGB or CMYK and a color name thereof are displayed. Keep as combination data,
A color printer, wherein a background color or a character color is designated by selecting the color name from the operation panel. 5. In a color printer having a network interface, a background color designating means, and a means for synthesizing a designated background color and print data sent from a PC, when the print data is sent via a network, the background data A color printer, wherein a color combining process is performed until an EOF code is detected. 6. A color printer having a network interface, a background color designating means, and a means for synthesizing a designated background color and print data sent from a PC, wherein the print data is emulated at the head of a job via a centro. A color printer characterized in that when a switch command is sent, the above-described synthesis processing with the background color is performed until an emulation switch command is detected. 7. A color printer having a network interface, a background color designating means, and a means for synthesizing a designated background color and print data sent from a PC, comprising a plurality of centro ports, wherein the print data is A color printer, wherein, when there is an automatic centroport switching means, the combining processing with the background color is performed until the automatic centroport switching processing is detected.