JP2584856B2 - Output control device and method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an output control apparatus and method, and more particularly to an output control apparatus and method for outputting output information based on text data and image data input from outside. is there.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a printing apparatus called a page printer which analyzes print information output from a host computer or the like in units of pages and performs printing.

The printing apparatus is configured to print, with high definition, print information in which characters and images created by image editing based on recent date / time tapping are combined.

For text data, a printing device which stores character patterns of different numbers of dots in the apparatus in advance and changes the resolution (dot density) of each page to be printed by an input command or the like to print. Proposed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in recent years, an image scanner having a resolution of 400 dpi higher than the resolution of a normal printing apparatus has come into practical use although it is expensive.

However, when outputting image data input from such a high-resolution image to a printing device of a lower resolution, the image data must be thinned out to an extent commensurate with the resolution of the text data to be synthesized and printed. Disappears. Therefore, there is a problem that the image quality is low even though the image data is read at a high resolution.

On the other hand, if an image read by an inexpensive image scanner having a low resolution is matched with text data, there is a problem in that the print quality of the entire page is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides an output capable of outputting good output information in which image data and text data are mixed even if there is a difference in resolution between image data and text data. A control device and method are provided.

[Means for Solving the Problems] To solve the problems, for example, an output control device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an output control device that generates output information based on text data and image data input from an external device and outputs the generated information at an output unit having a variable resolution, and includes a first mode and a second mode. Discriminating means for discriminating which mode is set; and when the discriminating means determines that the first mode is set, the resolution is determined for the text data regardless of the resolution for the image data. Generating output information, or generating the output information at the resolution for the image data regardless of the resolution for the text data when the determination unit determines that the second mode is set. Means, storage means for storing the output information generated by the generation means, and the storage means stored in the storage means And an output means for outputting the force information to the output unit.

Embodiment An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Explanation of Apparatus Configuration (FIGS. 1 and 2)> FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a laser beam printer in the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an interface, which receives print data including image data, text data, print control parameters, and the like processed by a host computer (not shown) or the like. The print control parameters include a paper size for text data, a font type, a font size, an image dot density for fonts and image data, and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a page buffer memory which stores print information received via the interface 1 and edits pages while analyzing codes. Reference numeral 3 denotes a work memory for storing print control parameters of the printing unit 7 and the like.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a font memory which stores font data of different numbers of dots by size and typeface, for example. A bit map memory 5 stores a dot image to be transferred to the printing unit 7. Reference numeral 6 denotes a parallel-serial converter which converts parallel data read from the bit map memory 5 into serial data and transfers the serial data to the printing unit 7. Reference numeral 8 denotes a pulse generator, which generates an image clock having a frequency corresponding to a set resolution (dot density). Reference numeral 9 denotes an MPU that comprehensively controls page editing and print processing based on a control program (including a control procedure shown in FIG. 3 described later) stored in an internal program memory 9a. Reference numeral 10 denotes a scanner driver which drives the rotation speed of a scanner motor (described later) constituting a beam scanning system in this embodiment based on speed data according to a resolution set by the MPU 9.

Although the contents of the operation of the MPU 9 will be described later, the MPU 9 also serves as a means for comparing and judging the resolution (dot density) with respect to text data and image data from the host computer, and a control means for controlling the setting of the print dot density of the actual printing unit 7 and the like. ing.

FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration of the printing unit 7. The embodiment shows an optical printer that forms an image by exposing and scanning a photosensitive member with a laser beam.

In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a laser driver which turns on / off the laser 12 (turns on / off the generation of laser light) by an image signal (video signal) output from the parallel-serial converter 6.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a scanner motor for rotating the polygon mirror 14, which rotates its drive shaft at a rotation speed according to a value set in the scanner driver 10. Reference numeral 15 denotes a photosensitive member which is rotated at a constant speed by a drive motor (not shown). The laser beam reflected on one side of the polygon mirror 14 is swept in the axial direction of the photosensitive member 15 to form an electrostatic latent image. You. still,
Thereafter, image formation is performed according to a known electrophotographic method.

<Description of Operation Outline> In the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the print dot density is changed and controlled. However, since the rotation speed of the photoconductor 15 is fixed, the clock frequency of the video signal (set to the pulse generator 8) is set. Value) and polygon mirror
A rotation speed of 14 (a value set in the scanner driver 10) is also set.

For example, in order to obtain twice the printing dot density as usual, the following control is performed.

First, since the rotation speed of the photoconductor 15 is fixed, in order to obtain a double print dot density in the sub-scanning direction, the photoconductor 15 is required.
It is necessary to make the number of scans of the laser beam to be swept twice as usual. That is, the rotation speed of the polygon mirror 14 is doubled.

Next, regarding the printing dot density in the main scanning direction, if the rotation speed of the polygon mirror 14 is simply doubled as described above,
Conversely, the print dot density is halved in the main scanning direction. Thus, it can be seen that the on / off frequency of the video signal should be four times the normal value. That is, the frequency of the video clock is quadrupled.

By controlling in this way, it is possible to obtain a printing dot density twice as large as that of a normal printing dot.

 Next, an outline of the printing process in the embodiment will be described.

Data input via the interface 1 is first stored in the data buffer 2. The MPU 9 reconstructs the page data while analyzing various commands included in the input data, and stores the data in the page buffer 2. At the same time, various parameters such as the page number, the start address of the page buffer, the dot density, the rotation speed of the scanner motor 13, and the video clock (image clock) frequency are stored in the work memory 3.

The MPU 9 selects a dot density priority command by analyzing the command. That is, an image data priority command for giving priority to the dot density of image data, a text data priority command, and a high-density priority command for giving priority to data having a high dot density. Identification, comparison of the image data density designation information with the text data density designation information, and selection of a command to be executed based on the comparison.
This result is stored in the work memory 3 as the dot density of the entire page. In addition, dot density D, scanner motor 13
Regarding the rotation speed R of the (polygon mirror 14) and the video clock f, the rotation speed and the video clock of the scanner motor when the dot density is converted from D1 to DN are R1 to RN and f1 to f.
Define N.

Next, when one page of data is prepared in the page buffer 2, the data is sequentially read from the top of the page, and the font memory 4 is accessed to print dot data (character pattern).
Is generated and the dot data is stored in the bit map memory 5.
To expand.

At this time, for example, when the print dot density DN is selected, the font pattern of the number of dots constituting the corresponding font memory 4 is selected.

For image data, print dot density DN
Is selected, if the dot density is different from the original dot density of the image data, density conversion (interpolation processing or the like) is performed, and the data is developed in the bit map memory 5.

When the data development process for one page is completed, the scanner rotation speed RN and the video clock fN are read from the work memory 3, and RN is set to the scanner driver 10 and fN is set to the pulse generator 8, respectively.

Note that the scanner driver 10 controls the rotation speed of the scanner motor 13 to stabilize at the set RN, and outputs a signal (ready signal) to the MPU 9 when the rotation speed is stabilized. The pulse generator 8 outputs a signal of the set clock number fN to the parallel-serial converter 6.

When the MPU 9 confirms that the ready signal has been received from the scanner driver 10, the MPU 9 sequentially reads the data expanded in the bit map memory 5 and reads the data sequentially from the parallel-to-serial converter 6.
Output to The parallel-serial converter 6 converts the parallel dot data into serial data by the clock from the pulse generator 8, and outputs the serial data to the printing unit 7 as a video signal.

If the MPU 9 is high-speed and has a sufficient function, in parallel with performing the process of transferring data to the printing unit 7, receiving new data and storing it in the page buffer 2, and further to the bit map memory 5. May be executed.

<Description of Processing Outline (FIG. 3)> Hereinafter, details of the processing content of the MPU 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C.

First, input data is read in step S1, and it is determined whether or not the data is a print dot density priority command. If it is determined that the command is the command, it is determined in step S2, S4, S6 whether the command is a text data density priority command, an image data priority command, or a high density priority command.
To judge. When the determination is "YES", the corresponding flag is set to "1" (steps S3, S5, S6). Note that a text data priority flag, an image data priority flag,
The high-density priority flag, and a text flag and an image data flag to be described later are secured at predetermined addresses in the work memory 3.

If it is determined that the command is not the print dot density priority command, the flow advances to step S8 to determine whether the command is the dot density designation command. If it is determined to be "NO", the process proceeds to step S14 to be described later. Here, the case of "YES" will be described.

Now, in this case, the process proceeds to step S9, and it is determined whether or not the command is a text data density designation command. If "YES", the flow advances to step S10 to set the text data flag to "1". Then, in step S11, the print dot density is stored in the work memory 3 as DT and the corresponding RT and fT. When step S9 is "NO", step S12
Then, the image data flag is set to "1", and the print dot density Di and the corresponding Ri and fi are stored in the work memory 3 in step S13.

If it is determined in step S8 that data other than each dot density designation command has been read, the process proceeds to step S1.
Proceed to 4 to determine whether the parameter is a print parameter. “YE
In the case of "S", the data is stored in the work memory 3 (step S15). Otherwise, that is, if it is determined that the data is a character code or image data, the process proceeds to step S16, where various data are stored. Is reconstructed as page data while analyzing the data, and stored in the page buffer 2. Then, the processing from step S1 is repeated until it is determined in step S17 that data for one page has been stored.

When the reception of the data of one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S18, and the page number of the data reconstructed as the page data and the head address of the page buffer are stored in the work memory 3. And work memory 3
Is accessed and it is determined in step S19 whether the text data priority flag is "1". If “YES”, step S20
Then, the head address and dot density DT of the page buffer of the page to be printed stored in the work memory 3 are read. Then, in step S21, the character code data is read along the address, the font memory 4 is accessed to read the font pattern of the corresponding number of constituent dots, and developed in the bit map memory 5. Next, the process proceeds to step S22, where it is determined whether or not the image flag is "1". If “YES”, it is determined in step S23 whether the density of the text data is equal to the density of the image data, and if “NO”, the density of the image data is
Convert to DT and expand to bitmap memory. Also,
If "YES", the image data is density DI
To expand to Bitmap memory. And step S2
Until it is determined in step 6 that the expansion processing for one page has been completed,
Steps S21 to S25 are repeated.

If it is determined in step S22 that the image flag is not "1", the flow advances to step S26 to repeat the same processing as described above.

On the other hand, if the text priority flag is not "1" in step S19, the flow advances to step S30 to determine whether the image priority flag is "1". If “YES”, step S32
Then, the head address of the page buffer of the page to be printed and the dot density DI stored in the work memory 3 are read. Next, in step S33, the image is developed in the bit map memory 5 at the dot density. Then step
In S34, it is determined whether or not the data flag is "1". If "YES", it is determined in step S35 whether the density of the text data is equal to the density of the image data. If "NO", the text data is converted into the density DI in step S36 and developed in the bitmap memory 5. And step S38
Step until it is determined that the development process for one page has been completed.
Steps S38 to S38 are repeated.

If step S30 is "NO", that is, if the high-density flag is "1", the flow advances to step S31 to determine whether priority is given to text data density or image data density.
If "YES", proceed to step S21; if "NO", step S32.
And the same processing as described above is repeated.

When the development of the pattern or image for one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S27. Here, the set values to the pulse generator 8 and the scanner driver 10 corresponding to the print dot density determined in the previous processing are read from the work memory 3 and set therein.
At this time, flags in the work memory are cleared. Then, it waits until it is determined from the printing unit 7 that a signal (ready signal) indicating that it is possible to print at a print dot density based on the set value has been received (step S28). After receiving this signal, step S
At step 29, the contents of the bit map memory 5 are sequentially read and output to the parallel-serial converter 6. And step S30
It repeats until it is determined that data output for one page is completed.

Note that when printing the same page multiple times,
The case where the determination in S30 is "YES" may be counted for the designated number.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a high-density priority command is input, the print dot density is adjusted to the higher of the print dot densities of the text data and the image data, so that a high-quality output result is always obtained. It becomes possible.

In the embodiment, an example in which a laser beam based on a video signal is scanned and exposed on the photoconductor 15 by the polygon mirror 14 to form a visible image has been described, but an optical printer using an LED array or a liquid crystal shutter is described. No problem.

For example, in an LED printer using an LED array, in the main scanning direction, the intervals correspond to the dot density.
Since the LEDs are arranged, for example, the dot density is D _{1 to} D
_{(3) If} necessary, three types of LED arrays are arranged around the photoreceptor, and the dot density in the main scanning direction is changed by appropriately selecting them. On the other hand, the sub-scanning direction is achieved by controlling the time interval (determined by the rotation speed and dot density of the photoreceptor) for lighting the one-line LED array.

In the main scanning direction, the data read from the bit map memory is sequentially latched into a register corresponding to an element of one line of the LED array, instead of converting the video signal into a serial signal, and the processing is completed for one line. At that point, the LED array will be turned on. Therefore,
The DTA for one line must be transferred to the one-line LED array described above and the processing must be completed.

Further, in the above example, a plurality of font memories having different dot densities are used. However, if a font called an outline font (vector font) is used, a font pattern having various constitution dot numbers can be generated from one kind of font. It is also possible to save the capacity of the font memory.

Furthermore, when the printing speed is low or the performance of the MPU is very high, the page buffer and bit map memory are omitted by specifying the density at the top of the page, and the font memory is directly stored from the input code data. It is also conceivable to take a method of accessing and converting to dot information.

Further, a low-density priority command can be added so that printing can be performed in accordance with the low density of text data and image data.

Furthermore, any one of the dot density priorities may be set as a default value in the print control unit.

Furthermore, when a plurality of dot density designation commands are input with respect to image data in the same page, there is a problem in which one is given priority and set by the command. In this case, similarly to the above embodiment, processing may be performed so as to match the highest density. The same applies to text data.

Although the dot density priority command is input from the host computer, the dot density priority command may be input and set manually from the operation panel of the print control unit.

In the case where the input image data and the text data are mixed on the same page, the above example may be used. However, when the image data and the text data are composed of separate pages, the printing may be performed at the designated dot density. Printing may be performed at the same dot density as in the example.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to output good output information in which image data and text data are mixed even if there is a difference in resolution between image data and text data. Become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a laser beam printer according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing unit in the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a print processing procedure in the present embodiment. In the figure, 1 ... Interface, 2 ... Page buffer,
3 Work memory, 4 Font memory, 5 Bit map memory, 6 Parallel-serial converter, 7
…… Printing section, 8… Pulse generator, 9… MPU, 9
a: Program memory, 10: Scanner driver.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-167569 (JP, A) JP-A-59-85536 (JP, A) JP-A-2-93594 (JP, A) JP-A-57-85 129566 (JP, A)

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] 1. An output control apparatus for generating output information based on text data and image data input from an external device and outputting the generated information at an output unit having a variable resolution, comprising: a first mode and a second mode. Determination means for determining which mode is set; and when the determination means determines that the first mode is set, the determination is made for the text data regardless of the resolution for the image data. The output information is generated at a resolution, or when the determination unit determines that the second mode is set, the output information is generated at a resolution for the image data regardless of a resolution for the text data. Generating means for generating; storage means for storing the output information generated by the generating means; and An output unit that outputs output information to the output unit. 2. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein a pattern corresponding to a character code in the text data is generated at a resolution for the text data or a resolution for the image data. 3. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein the output information includes image data generated based on the text data and image data input from the external device. 4. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is set to output the generated output information at a resolution corresponding to the text data in the first mode. . 5. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein the output section is set to output the generated output information at a resolution corresponding to the image data in the second mode. . 6. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein said output unit is an engine of a laser beam printer. 7. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein said output unit is an engine of an LED printer. 8. An output control method in an output control device for generating output information based on text data and image data input from an external device and outputting the generated output information at an output unit with variable resolution, comprising: It is determined which of the second modes is set, and when it is determined that the first mode is set, the resolution is determined for the text data regardless of the resolution for the image data. Output information is generated, or when it is determined that the second mode is set, the output information is generated at the resolution for the image data regardless of the resolution for the text data and stored in a memory. And outputting the output information to the output unit. 9. The output control method according to claim 8, wherein a pattern corresponding to a character code in said text data is generated at a resolution for said text data or a resolution for said image data. 10. The output control method according to claim 8, wherein the output information includes image data generated based on the text data and image data input from the external device. 11. The output control method according to claim 8, wherein the output unit is set to output the generated output information at a resolution corresponding to the text data in the first mode. . 12. The output control method according to claim 8, wherein the output unit is set to output the generated output information at a resolution corresponding to the image data in the second mode. . 13. The output control method according to claim 8, wherein said output unit is an engine of a laser beam printer. 14. The output control method according to claim 8, wherein said output unit is an engine of an LED printer.