JP2009066831A - Printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer and a printing method which well reproduce a fine diagonal line as requested in printing of a map or the like, and readily meet an allowance defined by a standard in printing of a bar-code image. <P>SOLUTION: The printer makes control, when recognizing existence of a bar-code printing instruction, such that at least a part of drawing dots to be used for printing is set to be second drawing dots 32 out of first drawing dots and the second drawing dots 32 each having a smaller diameter than the first dots, prepared as drawing dots to be used for printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method, and more particularly to a printing apparatus and a printing method having a barcode image printing mode.

  In a printing apparatus such as a laser beam printer, when a latent image is formed with drawing dots whose diameter is a dot pitch converted from the printing resolution (for example, 25.4 / 400 = 0.0635 mm in the case of a 400 dpi printer), the following is performed. There is a problem. In other words, when drawing the thin diagonal lines required for printing mechanical design drawings and maps, electrostatic process factors (leakage of charge from around the latent image) and optical factors (lens system / reflection system factors near the scanning end) The drawing dots obtained as a printing result become smaller due to the reduction in the exposure amount, and the actual oblique line may be reproduced as a dotted line (broken line) or may not be reproduced at all in the worst case (see FIG. 4). . In order to solve such a problem, a latent image is formed so that a drawn dot diameter approximately 1.4 to 2 times the dot pitch can be obtained.

  By the way, barcodes comprising parallel bars of several kinds of white and black are often used for distribution management of distribution information systems. There are various bar code standards. For example, a bar code called “JAN code” is defined in JIS X 0501 for a distribution information system centered on a POS system.

  Here, the size of the bar width defined in the barcode standard does not necessarily match the dot pitch of the printer, and the width of the bar to be printed is an integral multiple of the dot pitch of the printer. Is rounded to Moreover, as described above, in order to reproduce fine slant lines satisfactorily, an image is generally reproduced with a dot diameter larger than the dot pitch. Therefore, the width of the black bar is large and the width of the white bar is small. The bar tends to get fat. For this reason, there is a problem in that the allowable value defined in the standard is not satisfied, and the printed barcode cannot be read by the barcode reader.

  In order to solve such a problem, the number of thick bar dot rows is calculated from the ratio of the width of the thick bar to the thin bar of the preset bar code and the number of basic dot rows of the fine bar, and based on this, the bar code number is calculated. A technique for creating print dot pattern data has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In addition, a table indicating the relationship between the number of modules, the number of black bar dots, and the number of white bar dots is stored in the memory unit in advance, and barcode print data is converted into a barcode pattern while referring to this table. A technique has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  All of the techniques described in these patent documents have known characteristics of the size of a bar to be printed and reproduced in advance, and can avoid the above-mentioned problems by setting appropriate data regarding the width of the bar. is there.

However, when the barcode pattern is generated by software on a device (for example, a host computer) different from the printing device, it is necessary to know the characteristics of each printing device to be output. That is, there is a problem that if the printing apparatus is different, the barcode pattern must be generated again with different settings. Even when a barcode pattern is generated in the printing apparatus, if the characteristics of the printing apparatus are different for each product, it is necessary to give the characteristics for each product to the pattern generation software in the printing apparatus.
JP-A-5-342383 JP 2004-17399 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to satisfactorily reproduce the fine diagonal lines required for printing maps and the like, and to meet the standards when printing barcode images. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method that can easily satisfy a predetermined allowable value.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

  (1) A drawing dot switching means for switching a drawing dot used for printing between a first drawing dot and a second drawing dot having a smaller diameter than the first drawing dot, and a barcode image print instruction Recognizing means for recognizing existence, and control for setting at least a part of drawing dots used for printing as the second drawing dots when the recognition means recognizes the presence of the print instruction of the barcode image And a control means for performing printing.

  (2) When the recognition unit recognizes the presence of the barcode image printing instruction, the control unit controls to set all the drawing dots constituting the barcode image as the second drawing dot. The printing apparatus according to (1) above, wherein

  (3) When the recognition unit recognizes the presence of a barcode image print instruction, the control unit sets an edge portion of the drawing dots constituting the barcode image as the second drawing dot, The printing apparatus according to (1), wherein control is performed so that a portion other than an edge portion is set as the first drawing dot.

  (4) The recognition means recognizes the presence of a barcode image printing instruction by a user operation indicating that printing is performed including a barcode image in an operation unit provided on the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

  (5) The above (1), wherein the recognizing unit recognizes the presence of an instruction to print a barcode image by detecting a description indicating that the printing includes a barcode image in the print data. The printing apparatus according to any one of to (3).

  (6) The recognition unit recognizes the presence of a barcode image print instruction based on the presence of a barcode image data generation command for generating barcode image data, and the printing apparatus further includes the barcode image data. Barcode image data generating means for generating barcode image data in accordance with the generation command; attribute flag adding means for adding an attribute flag indicating the area of the barcode image data to the area of the barcode image data; And the control means determines that the drawing dots in the region to which the attribute flag is added in the image to be printed are the drawing dots constituting the barcode image. The printing apparatus according to (2) or (3).

  (7) The recognition means recognizes the barcode image data by scanning the print image, thereby recognizing the presence of the barcode image print instruction, and the printing device is further an area of the barcode image data. Attribute flag adding means for adding to the area of the barcode image data, the control means is a drawing dot of the area to which the attribute flag is added in the image to be printed. The printing apparatus according to (2) or (3), wherein the printing device is determined as a drawing dot constituting a barcode image.

  (8) A recognition step for recognizing the presence of a barcode image print instruction, and if the presence of a barcode image print instruction is recognized in the recognition step, printing at least a part of the drawing dots used for printing A control step of controlling to set the second drawing dot among the first drawing dot prepared as the drawing dot used in the second drawing dot and the second drawing dot having a smaller diameter than the first drawing dot; A printing method characterized by comprising:

  According to the present invention, when printing a barcode image while maintaining a setting for satisfactorily reproducing the fine slant lines required for printing a mechanical design drawing, a map, etc., the barcode image satisfying an allowable value defined in the standard Printing can be realized. Even when barcode image data is generated in the printing device or on a different device from the printing device, it is necessary to know the characteristics of the width of the reproduced bar when generating barcode image data. There is no.

  That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily reproduce the thin oblique lines required for printing a map or the like, and it is possible to easily satisfy the allowable value defined in the standard when printing a barcode image.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 analyzes a control command included in the received print data, a CPU 11 that controls each part in the print apparatus 1 and performs various arithmetic processes, a data reception unit 12 that receives print data, and the like. Instruction analysis unit 13, image memory 14 for storing image data obtained by analyzing print data, memory access control unit 15 for sequentially sending image data from image memory 14, clock generation for generating video clock signal and modulation clock signal 16 includes a video signal output unit 17 that transmits a video signal based on image data, a drawing dot selection signal, and a modulation clock signal, and a printing unit 18 that performs printing based on the received video signal.

  The data receiving unit 12 is a LAN card used for communicating with an external device via a network, for example, and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI. However, the printing apparatus 1 may be connected to an external device through a local connection. For local connection, various local connection interfaces such as serial interfaces such as USB and IEEE1394, parallel interfaces such as SCSI and IEEE1284, and wireless communication interfaces such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE802.11, HomeRF, and IrDA are used.

  The printing unit 18 prints an image based on the received video signal on a recording medium such as paper using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process.

  In FIG. 1, components related to the present invention are described among the components of the printing apparatus 1, and the printing apparatus 1 may include components other than the above-described components.

  The printing apparatus 1 configured as described above has a barcode image printing mode, and operates as follows.

  First, the printing apparatus 1 receives print data from a host apparatus such as a PC (personal computer) outside the printing apparatus 1. The received print data is sent to the command analysis unit 13. The command analysis unit 13 analyzes a control command included in the print data, and develops a print image developed in a bitmap with a predetermined print resolution in the image memory 14.

  When the command analysis unit 13 recognizes that “print including barcode image” is specified in the print data, the command analysis unit 13 sets the drawing dot selection signal to ON and outputs it to the video signal output unit 17.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of designation of “printing including a barcode image”.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of PostScript (registered trademark) print data. Prior to the PostScript code, various settings are designated by commands beginning with @PJL. For example, a print resolution of 400 dpi is designated in the keyword portion “RESOLUTION” indicated by reference numeral “51” in the figure. The command analysis unit 13 sets the printing resolution of the printing apparatus 1 to 400 dpi according to this command. For example, when there is a command “@PJL SET BARCODEMODE = ON” indicated by a reference numeral “52” in the drawing, the command analysis unit 13 recognizes that “printing includes a barcode image”. On the other hand, when there is a command “@PJL SET BARCODE MODE = OFF” or when there is no command starting with “@PJL SET BARCODE MODE”, the command analysis unit 13 recognizes that it is not “printing including a barcode image”.

  It should be noted that a switch (button) for designating “printing including barcode” is provided on the printer driver for the printing apparatus 1 (displayed on the display of the PC on which the printer driver is installed), so that “ A control command indicating “print including barcode” can be included.

  The memory access control unit 15 controls to sequentially send the image data Dp from the image memory 14 in synchronization with the video clock signal Vc according to a command from the CPU 11.

  The video signal output unit 17 receives a modulated clock signal Vcm synchronized with the video clock signal Vc. The video signal output unit 17 calculates a video signal Vd obtained by calculating a logical product (AND) of the image data Dp and the modulation clock signal Vcm when the drawing dot selection signal output from the command analysis unit 13 is ON. It is sent to the printing unit 18. Therefore, the ON time of the video signal Vd per dot is regulated to be equal to or shorter than the cycle of the video clock signal Vc. On the other hand, the video signal output unit 17 prints the video signal Vd having the same form as the image data Dp when the drawing dot selection signal output from the instruction analysis unit 13 is OFF, that is, when there is no output of the drawing dot selection signal. 18 to send.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the first drawing dot 31 having a diameter twice the dot pitch P. As shown in FIG. As shown, in the first embodiment, when the ON time of the video signal Vd per 1 dot is equal to the period of the video clock signal Vc, first drawing dots of a diameter D ₁ of the two times the dot pitch P Image forming conditions such as a photosensitive member charging potential, a developing bias voltage, and an exposure light amount are set so that 31 is obtained. If comprised in this way, a thin real oblique line can be reproduced favorably, for example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a drawing dot 30 having the same diameter D ₀ as the dot pitch P as a comparative example. In this case, a thin diagonal line may be reproduced as a dotted line (broken line), or may not be reproduced at all in the worst case.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a black thin bar, a white thin bar, a barcode pattern aligned with the black fine bar, and changes in each signal in the first embodiment in the case of the barcode pattern. FIG. It is a figure which shows the printing result of 1st Embodiment based on the barcode pattern shown by FIG.

  When the JAN code is 0.80 (the lower limit magnification in the standard), the module dimension (the width of the thinnest bar) is defined as 0.264 mm. For example, when printing a JAN code with a magnification of 0.80 with a 400 dpi printer, the module size is converted to 4.16 dots and rounded to an integer value of 4 in actual printing (see FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 6, in the first embodiment, drawing dot selection signal output from the instruction decoder 13 when turned ON, drawing dot diameter D ₂ is a second to be 1.5 times the dot pitch P The pulse width of the video signal Vd per dot is regulated to 75% so that the drawing dot 32 is obtained. This is because the ratio of the ON time to the OFF time in one cycle of the modulation clock signal Vcm is set to 75:25. That is, the modulation clock signal Vcm is used to make the width of the black bar narrower than usual.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the width of the black thin bar and the white thin bar created as 4 dot widths (dots) correspond to 4.5 dot width and 3.5 dot width, respectively. Here, 1 dot width (dots) refers to the width (outer diameter) dimension of one drawing dot having the same diameter D ₀ as the dot pitch P.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a black fine bar width a, a white fine bar width d, and bar edge dimensions b1 and b2 based on the barcode pattern shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a diagram in FIG. 6 in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the calculation result of the black thin bar width a shown, the white thin bar width d, and the dimension b1, b2 between bar edges.

  As shown in FIG. 8, it can be seen that all of the black fine bar width a, the white fine bar width d, and the bar edge dimensions b1 and b2 satisfy the allowable values defined in the standard. Since the barcode image is formed by gathering drawn dots to some extent, it does not cause a problem that a thin solid oblique line is reproduced as a dotted line.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the drawing dot selection signal is ON, for example, the exposure time for forming a one-dot image is shortened, and the drawing dot diameter is reduced. Thereby, the width of the black bar of the barcode is reduced and the width of the white bar is increased as compared with the case where the drawing dot selection signal is OFF. By appropriately adjusting the duty of the modulation clock signal Vcm (the ratio of the ON time in one cycle) according to the drawing dot diameter of the printing apparatus, it is possible to print a barcode image that satisfies the allowable value defined in the standard. it can.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a black thin bar, a white thin bar, a barcode pattern aligned with the black thin bar, and a change of each signal in a comparative example in the case of the barcode pattern, and FIG. 10 is illustrated in FIG. It is a figure which shows the printing result of the comparative example based on a barcode pattern.

As shown in FIG. 9, in this comparative example, the ON time of the video signal Vd per dot is the same as the cycle of the video clock signal Vc, and the restriction to, for example, 75% as in the first embodiment is Not adopted. In this case, the bar code image, the first drawing dots 31 drawing dot diameter D ₁ is twice the dot pitch P is obtained. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the black thin bar and white thin bar width created as 4 dot widths (dots) correspond to 5 dot width and 3 dot width, respectively.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating calculation results of the black thin bar width a, the white thin bar width d, and the bar edge-to-bar edge dimensions b1 and b2 illustrated in FIG. 10 in the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 11, it can be seen that the black fine bar width a exceeds the allowable range defined in the standard, and the white fine bar width d falls below the lower limit value defined in the standard. Therefore, in the case of this comparative example, the printed barcode image may not be read by the barcode reader.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the printing apparatus 1 recognizes the presence of an instruction to print a barcode image, at least a part of the drawing dots used for printing is set as the drawing dots used for printing. Control is performed so as to set the second drawing dot 32 among the prepared first drawing dot 31 and the second drawing dot 32 having a smaller diameter than the first drawing dot 31.

  Therefore, when printing barcode images, the barcode images that meet the tolerances specified in the standard must be printed while maintaining the fine reproduction of the fine slant lines required for printing mechanical design drawings and maps. Can be realized. Even when barcode image data is generated in the printing device or on a different device from the printing device, it is necessary to know the characteristics of the width of the reproduced bar when generating barcode image data. There is no.

  That is, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to satisfactorily reproduce the thin diagonal lines required for printing a map or the like, and it is possible to easily satisfy the tolerance defined in the standard when printing a barcode image. .

  In the first embodiment, the command analysis unit 13 analyzes the control command included in the print data and determines whether or not “printing including a barcode” is performed. It is also possible to provide a switch for instructing that “printing including a barcode” is performed, and to supply a drawing dot selection signal to the video signal output unit 17 from this switch.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. Note that description of points in common with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a black thin bar, a white thin bar, a barcode pattern aligned with the black fine bar, an edge portion in the barcode pattern, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing changes in signals in the second embodiment in the case of the barcode pattern, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a printing result of the second embodiment based on the barcode pattern shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in addition to the components in the first embodiment, the printing apparatus 1a further includes an edge detection circuit 19 that detects an edge portion (contour portion) E from image data, and image data of the edge portion. An edge memory 20 for storing edge image data.

  In the second embodiment, first, the printing apparatus 1a receives print data from a host device such as a PC. The received print data is sent to the command analysis unit 13. The command analysis unit 13 analyzes a control command included in the print data, and develops a print image developed in a bitmap with a predetermined print resolution in the image memory 14.

  When the command analysis unit 13 recognizes that “print including barcode image” is specified in the print data, the command analysis unit 13 sets the drawing dot selection signal to ON and outputs it to the video signal output unit 17.

  The edge detection circuit 19 scans the image data developed on the image memory 14, detects an edge portion (outline portion) of the image, and creates edge image data De on the edge memory 20.

  The memory access control unit 15 controls the image data Dp and the edge image data De to be sequentially transmitted from the image memory 14 and the edge memory 20 in synchronization with the video clock signal Vc according to a command from the CPU 11.

  The video signal output unit 17 receives a modulated clock signal Vcm synchronized with the video clock signal Vc. The video signal output unit 17 outputs the image data Dp and the modulation clock signal Vcm when the signal obtained by the logical product (AND) operation of the drawing dot selection signal output from the command analysis unit 13 and the edge image data De is ON. A video signal Vd obtained by calculating a logical product (AND) is sent to the printing unit 18. Therefore, the ON time of the video signal Vd per dot is regulated to be equal to or shorter than the cycle of the video clock signal Vc.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the second embodiment, when a signal obtained by performing a logical product (AND) operation of the drawing dot selection signal output from the instruction analysis unit 13 and the edge image data De is ON, the drawing dot diameter D ₂ is as in the second drawing dots 32 to be 1.5 times the dot pitch P is obtained, the pulse width of the video signal Vd per 1 dot is restricted to 75%.

In the second embodiment, when the ON time of the video signal Vd per 1 dot is equal to the period of the video clock signal Vc, the first drawing dots 31 is twice the diameter D ₁ of the dot pitch P is obtained Thus, image forming conditions such as a photosensitive member charging potential, a developing bias voltage, and an exposure light amount are set.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, when the drawing dot selection signal is ON, for example, the exposure time for forming an image of the dots constituting the outline of the black bar is shortened, and the drawing dot diameter is reduced. Thereby, the width of the black bar of the barcode is reduced and the width of the white bar is increased as compared with the case where the drawing dot selection signal is OFF. By appropriately adjusting the duty of the modulation clock signal Vcm according to the drawing dot diameter of the printing apparatus, it is possible to print a barcode image that satisfies the allowable value defined in the standard.

  Further, there is a case where the density of the printed image is lowered by reducing the drawing dots. However, in the second embodiment, since the drawing dots are reduced only at the edge portion (outline portion), the print density of the black bar is reduced. The effect to prevent is also acquired.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the printing apparatus 1a sets the edge portion E as the second drawing dot 32 among the drawing dots constituting the barcode image, and the first drawing dot other than the edge portion E. Control to set to 31.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effect as the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain a further effect of preventing the black bar printing density from being lowered.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. Note that description of points in common with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in addition to the components in the first embodiment, the printing apparatus 1b further includes a barcode pattern generation unit 21 that generates a barcode pattern according to a barcode generation instruction, and a barcode area. It has an attribute memory 22 for storing an attribute flag indicating that it exists.

  In the third embodiment, first, the printing apparatus 1b receives print data from a host apparatus such as a PC. The received print data is sent to the command analysis unit 13. The command analysis unit 13 analyzes a control command included in the print data, and when the print data includes a barcode generation command, transfers the barcode generation command to the barcode pattern generation unit 21. The barcode pattern generation unit 21 generates a barcode pattern according to the printing position and type of the barcode image included in the barcode generation instruction and the character included in the barcode, and develops the barcode developed in the bitmap of the printing resolution. The code pattern is developed in the image memory 14.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a barcode generation instruction.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a bar code generation instruction extended in PostScript (registered trademark) format. The instruction code shown here is a uniquely expanded format that is not found in the standard PostScript. In FIG. 16, reference numeral “61” is a description for designating the printing position of the barcode image, reference numeral “62” is a description for setting the barcode in a dictionary format (defined by dictionary type “1”), Reference numeral “63” is a description about the width of the barcode area, reference numeral “64” is a description about the height of the barcode area, and reference numeral “65” is a description about the type of barcode to be generated. The symbol “66” is a description of a character to be embedded in a barcode, the symbol “67” is a description of a font of a character string written on the barcode, and the symbol “68” is a symbol on the barcode. The code “69” is a description for executing the barcode pattern generation according to the setting.

  Further, the barcode pattern generation unit 21 writes an attribute flag indicating that it is a barcode area in an area corresponding to the barcode area on the attribute memory 22.

  The memory access control unit 15 controls the image data Dp and the attribute flag to be sequentially transmitted from the image memory 14 and the attribute memory 22 in synchronization with the video clock signal Vc according to a command from the CPU 11.

  A modulation clock signal Vcm synchronized with the video clock signal Vc is input to the video signal output unit 17, and an attribute flag is input as a drawing dot selection signal. When the attribute flag is ON, the video signal output unit 17 sends the video signal Vd obtained by calculating a logical product (AND) of the image data Dp and the modulation clock signal Vcm to the printing unit 18. Therefore, the ON time of the video signal Vd per dot is regulated to be equal to or shorter than the cycle of the video clock signal Vc.

In the third embodiment, when the attribute flag is ON, drawing dot diameter D ₂ as in the second drawing dots 32 to be 1.5 times the dot pitch P is obtained, the video signal Vd per dot The pulse width is regulated to 75%.

In the third embodiment, when the ON time of the video signal Vd per 1 dot is equal to the period of the video clock signal Vc, the first drawing dots 31 is twice the diameter D ₁ of the dot pitch P is obtained Thus, image forming conditions such as a photosensitive member charging potential, a developing bias voltage, and an exposure light amount are set.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, in the region to which the attribute flag is assigned as the barcode region, for example, the exposure time for forming an image of 1 dot is shortened and the drawing dot diameter is decreased. Thereby, the width of the black bar of the barcode is reduced and the width of the white bar is increased as compared with the case where the attribute flag is OFF. By appropriately adjusting the duty of the modulation clock signal Vcm according to the drawing dot diameter of the printing apparatus, it is possible to print a barcode image that satisfies the allowable value defined in the standard.

  Further, since the image is drawn with the normal larger dot diameter outside the barcode area, even if there is a thin solid diagonal line in the printed image, it can be printed and reproduced satisfactorily.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the printing apparatus 1b generates a barcode pattern according to the barcode pattern generation instruction, and adds an attribute flag indicating the barcode area to the barcode area. In the image to be printed, the drawing dot in the area to which the attribute flag is added is determined as the drawing dot constituting the barcode image.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the image is drawn with the normal larger dot diameter outside the barcode area, a thin actual image is displayed on the printed image. Even if there is a diagonal line, it is possible to obtain a further effect that printing can be reproduced satisfactorily.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the third embodiment. Note that description of points common to the third embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in addition to the components in the third embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 c further includes an edge detection circuit 19 that detects an edge portion (contour portion) E from image data, and image data of the edge portion. An edge memory 20 for storing edge image data.

  In the fourth embodiment, first, the printing apparatus 1c receives print data from a host device such as a PC. The received print data is sent to the command analysis unit 13. The command analysis unit 13 analyzes a control command included in the print data, and when the print data includes a barcode generation command, transfers the barcode generation command to the barcode pattern generation unit 21. The barcode pattern generation unit 21 generates a barcode pattern according to the printing position and type of the barcode image included in the barcode generation instruction and the character included in the barcode, and develops the barcode developed in the bitmap of the printing resolution. The code pattern is developed in the image memory 14.

  Further, the barcode pattern generation unit 21 writes an attribute flag indicating that it is a barcode area in an area corresponding to the barcode area on the attribute memory 22.

  The edge detection circuit 19 scans the image data developed on the image memory 14, detects an edge portion (outline portion) of the image, and creates edge image data De on the edge memory 20.

  The memory access control unit 15 receives the image data Dp, the attribute flag, and the edge image data De from the image memory 14, the attribute memory 22, and the edge memory 20, respectively, in synchronization with the video clock signal Vc in response to a command from the CPU 11. Control to send sequentially.

  The video signal output unit 17 receives a modulated clock signal Vcm synchronized with the video clock signal Vc. The video signal output unit 17 calculates the logical product (AND) of the image data Dp and the modulation clock signal Vcm when the signal obtained by the logical product (AND) operation of the attribute flag and the edge image data De is ON. The obtained video signal Vd is sent to the printing unit 18. Therefore, the ON time of the video signal Vd per dot is regulated to be equal to or shorter than the cycle of the video clock signal Vc.

In the fourth embodiment, the _second drawing in which the drawing dot diameter D2 is 1.5 times the dot pitch P when the logical AND operation signal of the attribute flag and the edge image data De is ON. The pulse width of the video signal Vd per dot is regulated to 75% so that the dot 32 is obtained.

In the fourth embodiment, when the ON time of the video signal Vd per 1 dot is equal to the period of the video clock signal Vc, the first drawing dots 31 is twice the diameter D ₁ of the dot pitch P is obtained Thus, image forming conditions such as a photosensitive member charging potential, a developing bias voltage, and an exposure light amount are set.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, in an area to which an attribute flag is assigned as a barcode area, for example, the exposure time for forming a dot image constituting the outline of a black bar is shortened, and the drawing dot diameter is reduced. . Thereby, the width of the black bar of the barcode is reduced and the width of the white bar is increased as compared with the case where the drawing dot selection signal is OFF. By appropriately adjusting the duty of the modulation clock signal in accordance with the drawing dot diameter of the printing apparatus, it is possible to print a barcode that satisfies the allowable value defined in the standard.

  Further, since the image is drawn with the normal larger dot diameter outside the barcode area, even if there is a thin solid diagonal line in the printed image, it can be printed and reproduced satisfactorily.

  Further, there is a case where the density of the printed image is lowered by reducing the drawing dots. However, in the fourth embodiment, the drawing dots are reduced only by the edge portion (contour portion), thereby preventing the print density reduction of the black bar. An effect is also obtained.

  Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effect as that of the third embodiment, it is possible to obtain a further effect of preventing the black bar printing density from being lowered.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. Note that description of points in common with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in addition to the components in the first embodiment, the printing apparatus 1d further includes a pattern recognition unit 21 that recognizes a barcode area where a barcode exists, and a barcode area. It has an attribute memory 22 for storing the attribute flag shown.

  In the fifth embodiment, first, the printing apparatus 1d receives print data from a host device such as a PC. The received print data is sent to the command analysis unit 13. The command analysis unit 13 analyzes a control command included in the print data, and develops a print image developed in a bitmap with a predetermined print resolution in the image memory 14.

  The pattern recognition unit 23 scans the image data developed in the image memory 14 and recognizes the barcode area where the barcode exists. For example, by pattern recognition, an area where a predetermined number or more of rectangular images whose ratio of length to width is larger than a predetermined threshold is arranged is recognized as a barcode area. Further, the pattern recognition unit 23 writes an attribute flag indicating the barcode area in an area corresponding to the barcode area on the attribute memory 22.

  The memory access control unit 15 controls the image data Dp and the attribute flag to be sequentially transmitted from the image memory 14 and the attribute memory 22 in synchronization with the video clock signal Vc according to a command from the CPU 11.

  A modulation clock signal Vcm synchronized with the video clock signal Vc is input to the video signal output unit 17, and an attribute flag is input as a drawing dot selection signal. When the attribute flag is ON, the video signal output unit 17 sends the video signal Vd obtained by calculating a logical product (AND) of the image data Dp and the modulation clock signal Vcm to the printing unit 18. Therefore, the ON time of the video signal Vd per dot is regulated to be equal to or shorter than the cycle of the video clock signal Vc.

In the fifth embodiment, when the attribute flag is ON, drawing dot diameter D ₂ as in the second drawing dots 32 to be 1.5 times the dot pitch P is obtained, the video signal Vd per dot The pulse width is regulated to 75%.

In the fifth embodiment, when the ON time of the video signal Vd per 1 dot is equal to the period of the video clock signal Vc, the first drawing dots 31 is twice the diameter D ₁ of the dot pitch P is obtained Thus, image forming conditions such as a photosensitive member charging potential, a developing bias voltage, and an exposure light amount are set.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, in the region to which the attribute flag is assigned as the barcode region, for example, the exposure time for forming an image of 1 dot is shortened and the drawing dot diameter is decreased. Thereby, the width of the black bar of the barcode is reduced and the width of the white bar is increased as compared with the case where the attribute flag is OFF. By appropriately adjusting the duty of the modulation clock signal Vcm in accordance with the drawing dot diameter of the printing apparatus, it is possible to print a barcode that satisfies the allowable value defined in the standard.

  In addition, since drawing is performed with a normal larger dot diameter outside the barcode area, even if there is a thin solid oblique line in the printed image, printing can be satisfactorily reproduced.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the printing apparatus 1d scans print image data to recognize a barcode area, and adds an attribute flag indicating the barcode area to the barcode area. In the image to be printed, the drawing dot in the area to which the attribute flag is added is determined as the drawing dot constituting the barcode image.

  Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, even if there is no description about the barcode in the received print data, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the barcode area can be obtained. Since the image is drawn with the normal larger dot diameter outside, it is possible to obtain a further effect that printing can be satisfactorily reproduced even if there is a thin solid oblique line in the printed image.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the fifth embodiment. Note that description of points common to the fifth embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in addition to the components in the fifth embodiment, the printing apparatus 1e further includes an edge detection circuit 19 that detects an edge portion (contour portion) E from image data, and image data of the edge portion. An edge memory 20 for storing edge image data.

  In the sixth embodiment, first, the printing apparatus 1e receives print data from a host device such as a PC. The received print data is sent to the command analysis unit 13. The command analysis unit 13 analyzes a control command included in the print data, and develops a print image developed in a bitmap with a predetermined print resolution in the image memory 14.

  The pattern recognition unit 23 scans the image data developed in the image memory 14 and recognizes the barcode area where the barcode exists. Further, the pattern recognition unit 23 writes an attribute flag indicating the barcode area in an area corresponding to the barcode area on the attribute memory 22.

  The edge detection circuit 19 scans the image data developed on the image memory 14, detects an edge portion (outline portion) of the image, and creates edge image data De on the edge memory 20.

  The memory access control unit 15 receives the image data Dp, the attribute flag, and the edge image data De from the image memory 14, the attribute memory 22, and the edge memory 20, respectively, in synchronization with the video clock signal Vc in response to a command from the CPU 11. Control to send sequentially.

  The video signal output unit 17 receives a modulated clock signal Vcm synchronized with the video clock signal Vc. The video signal output unit 17 calculates the logical product (AND) of the image data Dp and the modulation clock signal Vcm when the signal obtained by the logical product (AND) operation of the attribute flag and the edge image data De is ON. The obtained video signal Vd is sent to the printing unit 18. Therefore, the ON time of the video signal Vd per dot is regulated to be equal to or shorter than the cycle of the video clock signal Vc.

In the sixth embodiment, the _second drawing in which the drawing dot diameter D2 is 1.5 times the dot pitch P when the signal obtained by ANDing the attribute flag and the edge image data De is ON. The pulse width of the video signal Vd per dot is regulated to 75% so that the dot 32 is obtained.

Further, in the sixth embodiment, when the ON time of the video signal Vd per 1 dot is equal to the period of the video clock signal Vc, the first drawing dots 31 is twice the diameter D ₁ of the dot pitch P is obtained Thus, image forming conditions such as a photosensitive member charging potential, a developing bias voltage, and an exposure light amount are set.

  As described above, in the sixth embodiment, in the region to which the attribute flag is assigned as the barcode region, for example, the exposure time for forming the dot image constituting the outline of the black bar is shortened, and the drawing dot diameter is decreased. . Thereby, the width of the black bar of the barcode is reduced and the width of the white bar is increased as compared with the case where the drawing dot selection signal is OFF. By appropriately adjusting the duty of the modulation clock signal in accordance with the drawing dot diameter of the printing apparatus, it is possible to print a barcode that satisfies the allowable value defined in the standard.

  Further, since the image is drawn with the normal larger dot diameter outside the barcode area, even if there is a thin solid diagonal line in the printed image, it can be printed and reproduced satisfactorily.

  Further, there is a case where the density of the printed image is lowered by reducing the drawing dots. However, in the fourth embodiment, the drawing dots are reduced only by the edge portion (contour portion), thereby preventing the print density reduction of the black bar. An effect is also obtained.

  Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effect as that of the fifth embodiment, it is possible to obtain a further effect of preventing the black bar printing density from being lowered.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the present invention, a printer is exemplified as the printing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to other printing apparatuses such as an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) and a copying machine.

In the above embodiment, as the drawing dots used in printing, the first drawing dots 31 serving as a diameter D ₁ of the two times the dot pitch P, of smaller diameter than the first drawing dot 31, the dot pitch P The second drawing dots 32 that are 1.5 times larger than the above are prepared, but these are only examples, and the size of the diameter can be changed as appropriate.

  In the above embodiment, an electrophotographic printing apparatus is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to, for example, an ink jet printing apparatus.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of designation | designated of "print containing a barcode image." It is a figure which shows the 1st drawing dot which has a diameter 2 times the dot pitch. It is a figure which shows the drawing dot which has the same diameter as a dot pitch as a comparative example. It is a figure which shows the change of each signal in 1st Embodiment in the case of the barcode pattern aligned with the black fine bar, the white fine bar, and the black fine bar. It is a figure which shows the printing result of 1st Embodiment based on the barcode pattern shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the black fine bar width based on the barcode pattern shown by FIG. 5, a white fine bar width, and the dimension between bar edges. It is a figure which shows the calculation result of the black thin bar width shown in FIG. 6 in 1st Embodiment, the white thin bar width, and the dimension between bar edges. It is a figure which shows the change of each signal in the comparative example in the case of the barcode pattern arranged in black fine bar, white fine bar, black fine bar, and the said barcode pattern. It is a figure which shows the printing result of the comparative example based on the barcode pattern shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the calculation result of the black thin bar width | variety shown by FIG. 10 in a comparative example, the white thin bar width | variety, and the dimension between bar edges. It is a block diagram which shows the printing apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the change of each signal in 2nd Embodiment in the case of the barcode pattern aligned with a black fine bar, a white fine bar, a black fine bar, the edge part in a barcode pattern, and the said barcode pattern. It is a figure which shows the printing result of 2nd Embodiment based on the barcode pattern shown by FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the printing apparatus concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a barcode generation command. It is a block diagram which shows the printing apparatus concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the printing apparatus concerning the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the printing apparatus concerning the 6th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e printing device,
12 Data receiver,
13 Instruction analysis unit,
14 Image memory,
15 memory access controller,
16 clock generator,
17 Video signal output section,
18 Printing department,
19 edge detection circuit,
20 edge memory,
21 barcode pattern generator,
21 pattern recognition unit,
22 attribute memory,
23 pattern recognition unit,
30 drawing dots,
31 First drawing dot,
32 second drawing dot,
D ₁ Diameter of the first drawing dot,
D ₂ the diameter of the second drawing dot,
E Edge part.

Claims (8)

Drawing dot switching means for switching a drawing dot used for printing between a first drawing dot and a second drawing dot having a smaller diameter than the first drawing dot;
Recognition means for recognizing the presence of a barcode image print instruction;
Control means for controlling to set at least a part of the drawing dots used for printing to the second drawing dots when the recognition means recognizes the presence of a barcode image printing instruction;
A printing apparatus characterized by that.   When the recognition means recognizes the presence of the barcode image print instruction, the control means controls to set all the drawing dots constituting the barcode image as the second drawing dots. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   When the recognition unit recognizes the presence of the barcode image printing instruction, the control unit sets the edge portion of the drawing dots constituting the barcode image as the second drawing dot, and the other than the edge portion. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to set the first drawing dot.   The recognition unit is configured to recognize the presence of a barcode image printing instruction by a user operation indicating that printing is performed including a barcode image in an operation unit provided on the printing apparatus. Item 4. The printing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   The recognition unit recognizes the presence of a print instruction for a barcode image by detecting a description indicating that the print includes a barcode image in print data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The recognizing means recognizes the presence of a barcode image print instruction due to the presence of a barcode image data generation command for generating barcode image data,
The printing apparatus further includes bar code image data generating means for generating bar code image data in accordance with the bar code image data generation command, and an attribute flag indicating an area of the bar code image data. Attribute flag adding means for adding to the area,
4. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein in the image to be printed, the drawing dot in the area to which the attribute flag is added is determined to be a drawing dot constituting the barcode image. A printing apparatus according to 1. The recognition means recognizes the presence of a barcode image print instruction by scanning the print image and recognizing the barcode image data,
The printing apparatus further includes attribute flag adding means for adding an attribute flag indicating the area of the barcode image data to the area of the barcode image data,
4. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein in the image to be printed, the drawing dot in the area to which the attribute flag is added is determined to be a drawing dot constituting the barcode image. A printing apparatus according to 1. A recognition step for recognizing the presence of a barcode image print instruction;
When it is recognized in the recognition step that the barcode image print instruction is present, at least a part of the drawing dots used for printing is set to the first drawing dots prepared as drawing dots used for printing and the first drawing dots. A control step of controlling to set the second drawing dot among the second drawing dots having a smaller diameter than one drawing dot,
A printing method characterized by the above.

Images