JP2661742B2 - Character processor - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character processing device that inputs a character code and develops it into a character pattern.

[Prior Art] A printer or word processor which stores pattern data such as characters and symbols in outline fonts and develops or prints the print code based on a print code received from a host computer. Etc. are known. Although such outline font information is useful for enlarging, reducing, or rotating a character pattern or the like, it takes a lot of time to develop it into a bitmap font. The same character is stored in a high-speed RAM called a cache memory, and the next time the same character is expanded in the same size, the pattern stored in the cache memory is read and used, and the pattern expansion is required. Time is shrinking.

FIG. 6 illustrates the prior art with reference to a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional printer. In the figure, 601
Is a data supply source such as a host computer which generates control codes such as characters and symbols and supplies them to the printer.
Reference numeral 603 denotes a font ROM which stores font information such as characters and symbols in outline fonts. Reference numeral 604 denotes a main storage unit that stores at least one page of image information developed in a bitmap. The image data stored in the main storage unit 604 is output to the printer engine 606, and printing is actually performed. A cache memory 605 temporarily stores bit map data developed into a bit pattern by an outline font of a font ROM 603. A control unit 602 controls the entire apparatus.

Next, the operation of the conventional printer will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S101, data input from the data supply source 601 is waited, and when data is input, it is determined in step S102 whether the data has ended, that is, whether printing has started. If printing is to be started, the flow advances to step S103 to output print data to the printer engine 606, and perform printing on recording paper. If a character code or the like is input instead of starting printing, the flow advances to step S103 to determine which font in the font ROM 603 is used to develop the pattern. Next, in step S4, the font information is already stored in the cache memory 605.
Judge whether it is expanded in the cache memory
If the character pattern has been developed, the process proceeds to step S107, and a bit map is developed in the main storage unit 604 based on the character pattern.

If the data has not been developed in the cache memory 605, the process proceeds to step S105, and based on the data in the font ROM 603, pattern processing such as adjustment of the size of the character pattern, fleshing, rotation, etc. is performed to develop the image into a bit image. The bit image data thus developed is stored in the cache memory 605 as it is. The bit image data is also stored in the main storage unit 604 for printing and output to the printer engine 606. The image data stored in the cache memory 605 in this manner is used when the same pattern is required in the subsequent processing.
5 is read and expanded in the main storage unit 604.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the configuration described above, the cache memory 60
When the cache memory 605 is full because the capacity of 5 is limited, the contents of the cache memory are updated, for example, by deleting the least frequently used bit images stored in the cache memory 605. There is a need. Since such a cache memory update process occurs very frequently when the remaining capacity of the cache memory is low, the processing speed can be sufficiently increased even with a relatively expensive cache memory. I can't plan it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, in which font information is cached in a large-capacity disk memory in addition to a normal high-speed cache memory, and pattern development is performed using the cached font information. And a character processing device capable of pattern expansion of character code patterns not stored in any of these cache memories and storing the expanded font information by specifying either the cache memory or the disk memory. The purpose is to provide.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, a character processing device of the present invention has the following configuration. Input means for inputting a character code and priority information corresponding to the character code, a cache memory and a disk memory for storing character pattern data of the character corresponding to the character code, and input by the input means. Determining means for determining whether character pattern data corresponding to a character code is stored in either the cache memory or the disk; and generating character pattern data corresponding to the character code by referring to the font memory A pattern generation unit, when the determination unit determines that the character pattern data is stored in the cache memory, pattern-expands the character code based on the character pattern data stored in the cache memory; Character pattern data is stored in the disk memory. Is determined, the character code is pattern-expanded based on the character pattern data stored in the disk memory, and the character pattern data is stored in both the cache memory and the disk memory by the determination unit. If it is determined that the character pattern data is not present, the character pattern data generated by the pattern generating means is subjected to pattern expansion based on the character pattern data generated by the pattern generating means. Storage control means for storing the data in either the cache memory or the disk memory based on the priority information corresponding to the character code.

[Operation] In the above configuration, when a character code and priority information corresponding to the character code are input and it is determined that the character pattern data corresponding to the input character code is stored in the cache memory, Based on the character pattern data stored in the cache memory, the character code is subjected to pattern development. On the other hand, when it is determined that the character pattern data is stored in the disk memory, the character code is stored in the disk memory. Pattern expansion of the character code based on the character pattern data
If it is determined that the character pattern data is not stored in either the cache memory or the disk memory,
Based on the character pattern data generated by referring to the font memory, the character code is subjected to pattern expansion. Then, an operation is performed to store the generated character pattern data in either the cache memory or the disk memory based on the priority information corresponding to the character code of the character pattern data.

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

[Description of Printer (FIG. 1)] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printer of the embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a control unit which controls the entire printer apparatus, and a CPU 111 such as a microprocessor, a ROM 11 which stores a control program of the CPU 111, various data, and the like.
2. A RAM 113 used as a work area for the CPU 111 is provided. Reference numeral 102 denotes a data supply source such as a host computer, which outputs print data and various control commands to the printer of this embodiment to issue a print instruction. Ten
Reference numeral 3 denotes a font ROM which stores outline fonts such as characters and symbols in correspondence with code information. A main storage unit 104 stores image data to be output to the printer engine 106 and printed as a bit image. Reference numeral 106 denotes a printer engine that prints on a recording medium that is recording paper based on the bit data from the main storage unit 104.

A cache memory 105 temporarily stores a bit image developed using the font ROM 103 based on a character code or the like specified by the data supply source 102, and specifies the same character code from the data supply source 102. When done,
Based on the bit image stored in the cache memory 105, it is used to develop a pattern in the main storage unit 104. 107 is a cache control unit, and the font ROM 103
Is used to determine whether or not to store the bitmap expanded bitmap in the cache memory 105 or the external storage unit 108. This cache control unit 107
For example, a CPU 114 such as a microprocessor, a ROM 115 storing a control program of the CPU 114 and various data, a CP 115
A RAM 116 used as a work area for the U114 is provided. Reference numeral 108 denotes an external storage unit such as a hard disk or floppy disk.
Similarly to 105, the bit pattern information developed in the bit map is stored, and when the same pattern data is required in the subsequent processing, the pattern data can be read and used.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a buffer. The control unit 101 writes bit pattern data obtained by pattern development using the font ROM 103, and the cache control unit 107 reads out the buffer 109. Can be transferred. Conversely, it is also possible to transfer bit pattern data from the cache control unit 107 to the control unit 101 via the buffer 109.

[Explanation of Cache Control Unit (FIGS. 2 and 3)] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the cache control unit 107 and connection with each storage unit (such as a cache memory), and is common to FIG. Parts are indicated by the same symbols.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a controller for controlling the operation of the entire cache control unit 107, which includes the CPU 114 and the ROM 115 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 202 denotes a DMA controller (DMAC) which controls DMA data transfer between the cache memory 105 and the disk 108. Reference numeral 203 denotes a casting table shown in detail in FIG. 3, which is a cache memory 105 and a disk 108.
Is used for managing the bit image data stored in the. 204 is a buffer for buffering, and cache memory 1
It is provided between the disk 05 and the disk 108 and is used as a buffer buffer for buffering a difference in data access speed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of the casting table 203.

Reference numeral 301 denotes a font ID, which stores the type of font pattern stored in the cache memory 105 or the external storage unit 108. The type of character pattern (character code), size, flesh, typeface, A parameter indicating a rotation state or the like is included. Reference numeral 302 denotes level information, which stores the priority at the time of storing (caching) in the cache memory 105 or the external storage unit 108. The priority may be specified by a code from the data supply source 102, or may be specified by an operation switch (not shown) of the printer. Reference numeral 303 denotes storage destination information, which stores information indicating whether the bit map data is stored in the cache memory memory 105 or the external storage unit 108, and storage address information thereof.

[Explanation of Operation (FIGS. 4 and 5)] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a printing process of the control unit 101 of the printer according to the embodiment, and a control program for executing the flowchart is stored in the ROM 112.

When data is input from the data supply source 102 in step S1, the flow advances to step S2 to check whether the input data is a code for instructing the start of printing. If the code is a code for instructing the start of printing, the process proceeds to step S3, in which bit pattern information developed in the main storage unit 104 as bit maps is output to the printer engine 106 for printing.

If it is not a print start code but a character code in step S3, the flow advances to step S4, and the cache control unit 10 searches for font data corresponding to the character code.
7 outputs the input character code (including priority information in addition to character size and typeface information). Next, the process proceeds to step S5, and waits for a response from the cache control unit 107. When it is determined from the response that the font information of the character is stored in the cache memory 105 or the external storage unit (disk) 108, step S1 is performed again.
Return to and wait for the next data input.

When the cache control unit 107 notifies that the pattern data is not cached, the process proceeds to step S6, where the outline data of the font ROM 103 is referred to based on the input code information, and the pattern data is developed into a bit map.
Next, the process proceeds to step S7, where the bit map data is transferred to the buffer 109 and stored. Then, in step S8, the cache control unit 107 is notified that the development to the bit map has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S9, where the bit map data is stored in the main storage unit 104, and the process is terminated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cache control unit 107. A control program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 115 of the controller 201. This process
The operation is started by inputting a code from the control unit 101 in step S4 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

When a code is input from the control unit 101, the flow advances to step S21 to check whether or not bit pattern data corresponding to the code is already stored in the cache memory 105. This can be easily determined by referring to the casting table 203. If the pattern data is stored in the cache memory 105, the process proceeds to step S22, where the pattern data is read out from the cache memory 105 and the main storage unit 104 is read out.
To develop bitmaps. At the same time, the control unit 101 is informed that the corresponding pattern data exists in the cache. The main storage unit 10
It is assumed that the address of the main storage unit 105 for developing the bitmap into 5 has been previously given from the control unit 101.

If there is no corresponding pattern data in the cache memory 105 in step S21, the process proceeds to step S23 to check whether the corresponding pattern data is stored in the disk 108. Similarly, this operation can be easily determined by referring to the casting table 203. If the corresponding pattern data is stored in the disk 108, the flow advances to step S24 to store the pattern data in the disk 1.
08, and the bit map is developed in the main storage unit 104 as in step S22.

Next, proceeding to step S25, it is determined whether or not the pattern data needs to be exchanged between the disk 108 and the cache memory 105. This is determined based on the level information 302 stored in the casting table 203 or the priority information specified by the data supply source 102 or an operation panel (not shown). If it is determined that the replacement process is necessary, the process proceeds to step S26, where the disk 108 and the cache memory 10 are transferred using the DMAC 202.
The bit pattern data is exchanged between 5 and 5. When the replacement is completed, the contents of the casting table 203 are updated based on the replacement process.

If the pattern data is not stored in the disk 108 in step S23, the process proceeds to step S27, and the control unit confirms that the pattern data is not cached.
Tell 101. As a result, the processing shown in steps S6 to S9 in FIG. Then, in step S8, when the cache control unit 107 is notified that the rasterization process has been completed, the process proceeds from step S28 to step S29.

In step S29, based on the information from the control unit 101, it is determined whether the cache destination is the disk 108 or the cache memory 105, and the level of the pattern data is determined. This may be instructed by the control unit 101, or may be determined by an instruction from the data supply source 102 as described above. When the storage destination address of the pattern data and its level are determined in this way, step S3
The process proceeds to 0, and the pattern data is read from the buffer 109 and stored in the corresponding disk 108 or cache memory 105 by the DMAC 202. It goes without saying that the casting table 203 is updated at the same time.

As described above, the cache memory 105 and the external storage unit 108 are used as cache memories, high-priority pattern data is stored in the high-speed cache memory 105, and low-priority pattern data is stored in a large-capacity comparative memory. Slow disk
By storing the data in a memory such as 108, the pattern development processing of the entire device can be performed at high speed.

In addition, when the large-capacity memory is used as the base of the cached data and uploaded to the high-speed cache memory as necessary, when deleting the pattern data in the high-speed cache memory, the large-capacity memory is used. Since the pattern data is included, it is sufficient to simply delete the corresponding data in the cache memory without replacing the data.

In this embodiment, the description has been given of the case of a printer, but the present invention is not limited to this.For example, code information is input as in a display device such as a CRT or a word processor, and is expanded into pattern information. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the display is output.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the description has been made of a high-speed cache memory and an external storage unit such as a disk. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a low-speed RAM (for example, a low-speed dynamic RAM) or a CD-ROM may be used.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, font information is cached in a large-capacity disk memory in addition to a normal high-speed cache memory, and a pattern is formed by using the cached font information. In addition to being able to perform expansion, pattern expansion of character code patterns not stored in any of these cache memories can be performed, and the expanded font information can be stored by specifying either the cache memory or the disk memory. effective.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a printer according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cache control unit of the embodiment and a connection to a cache memory or a disk, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a data configuration of a table, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a print control process in a control unit of the printer of the embodiment, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a pattern reading process in a cache control unit of the embodiment, FIG. Is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a conventional printer, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a printing process in the conventional printer. In the figure, 101 ... control unit, 102 ... data supply source, 103 ...
Font ROM, 104 main storage unit, 105 cache memory, 106 printer engine, 107 cache control unit, 108 external storage unit, 109 buffer, 111, 114
… CPU, 112, 115… ROM, 113, 116… RAM, 201… controller, 202… DMAC, 203… casting table, 204… buffer.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An input unit for inputting a character code and priority information corresponding to the character code;
A cache memory and a disk memory for storing the character pattern data of the character, and determining whether character pattern data corresponding to the character code input by the input means is stored in either the cache memory or the disk. Discriminating means for discriminating; pattern generating means for generating character pattern data corresponding to a character code by referring to a font memory; and when the discriminating means determines that the character pattern data is stored in the cache memory. The character code is developed based on the character pattern data stored in the cache memory, and when it is determined that the character pattern data is stored in the disk memory, the character pattern stored in the disk memory is determined. The character code based on the data When the character pattern data is not stored in any of the cache memory and the disk memory by the discriminating means, the character code is generated based on the character pattern data generated by the pattern generating means. Pattern development means for performing pattern development, and storing the character pattern data generated by the pattern generation means in either the cache memory or the disk memory based on priority information corresponding to a character code of the character pattern data. A character processing device comprising: a storage control unit.