JPH0264695A - Output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deterioration of a quality caused by a change of output resolution by providing a means for selecting well-definedly use of vector information or character dot information with respect to an output request character in accordance with a change of an output character size and the output resolution. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 3 generates well-definedly a character information selecting code from a recognized character size and resolution, and a character information selecting means 11 determines well-definedly whether outline font data is used or character font data is used from a font selection table, and transmits together designated font information and a character code and a character information selecting code received from the CPU 3 to a character information managing means 13. Subsequently, the character information managing means 13 draws out font data based on a designated character code and a character information selecting code from a character dot font memory 16 or an outline font memory 17. In such a way, the deterioration of a quality caused by a change of output resolution can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an output device based on vector fonts representing characters, figures, etc.

[Conventional technology]

BACKGROUND ART In recent years, CRT phototypesetting machines and laser phototypesetting machines have become widespread as a result of electronics application technology that is rapidly being put into practical use. The technical challenges here are focused on how to reproduce characters and graphics with high quality. Outline fonts, which have the outline of characters as vector information, have traditionally been known as high-quality character reproduction methods.
When outputting high-quality characters, especially when enlarging characters, outline fonts produce much higher-quality character output than dot fonts, which have a limited number of reproducible characters with a fixed number of dot resolutions. It was possible.

However, in the conventional example described above, when outputting characters using an outline font that has the outline of the character as vector information, there is a drawback that the quality of small-sized characters deteriorates significantly (unequal line width, crushed characters, etc.). Ta.

Furthermore, there is a major drawback in that even when the resolution of the phototypesetting device is changed, the character quality deteriorates as described above.

In view of the above points, it is an object of the present invention to have a selection means for uniquely selecting whether to use vector information or character dot information for output requested characters in accordance with changes in output character size and output resolution. The purpose is to provide an output device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an output device that can prevent quality deterioration (such as uneven line width and crushed characters) due to changes in output resolution.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that vector fonts (information), outline fonts, stroke fonts, etc. have the same meaning in the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an external device, 2 is an image processing unit, and 9
0 is an image output means. Reference numeral 3 denotes a CPU, which receives a character code for determining a character to be outputted from the external device 1 by a signal 23. 4 is a character size recognition means that recognizes the size of the character to be generated based on the character information 6 that is transmitted from the external device 1; 5 is the resolution of the image output means 90 that is transmitted from the external device; This is a resolution recognition means for a command 7 specifying .The character size recognition means 4 transmits the recognized character size to the CPU 3 by a signal 8.The resolution recognition means 5 also
The recognized resolution is transmitted to the CPU 3 by a signal 9. The CPU 3 uniquely generates a character information selection code from the recognized character size and resolution. After generating the character information selection code, the CPU 3 transmits the character code and the character information selection code using a signal 10. The character information selection means 11 that receives the signal 10 uniquely determines whether to use outline font data or character font data from a font selection table as shown in FIG. 2, for example. In Figure 2, numbers 1 to 12 are character information selection codes, and in this example, the character information selection code is 6.
A condition is set for the character information selection means 11 that an outline font is used in the following cases.

The character information selection means 11 determines the font to be used based on the character information selection code received from the CPU 3, and then uses the specified font information, the character code and the character information selection code received from the CPU 3 together as a signal 12 for character information management. The information is transmitted to the means 13. Character information management means 13
reads the font data from the character dot font memory 16 or the outline font memory 17 using the signal 14 or the signal 15 based on the specified character code and character information selection code from the memory of the specified font.

The data 18 retrieved from the character dot font memory 16 by the signal 14 is transmitted to the data transfer means 22, and the data transfer means 22 transfers the data to the image output means 90.
Send to. On the other hand, since the data 19 retrieved from the outline font memory 17 by the signal 15 is the outline information of the character, the data 19 is processed by the character conversion means 20.
Character outline information is converted to character dot font information. The converted character dot font data 21 is sent to the data transfer means 22, and the data transfer means 22 sends the data to the image output means.

FIG. 3 shows the above operation flowchart. Numbers (1) to (9) in the figure match the content of the text.

The printer 2 recognizes the size of characters to be output from the external device 1 (1), and at the same time recognizes the resolution (2).

The CPU 3 generates a character information selection code for uniquely determining the selection of a font for characters to be output according to the output character size and resolution (3).

Based on the character information selection code generated in (3), the character information selection means 11 selects the font to be used (
4). The character information management means 13 should determine whether the font selected in (4) is an outline font or not.
), when using an outline font, data is extracted from the outline font memory (6) and converted to dot font data by the character conversion means 20 (7); when an outline font is not used, the data is extracted from the character dot font memory (7). Extract data from 16 (8
). Dot font data 2 converted by (7)
The dot font data l8 extracted in step 1 or (8) is sent to the data transfer means 22, and then the characters sent to the image output means 90 are output (9).

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

The second embodiment of the present invention is applicable to cases where most of one page of character information to be output by a printer is occupied by lowercase letters, conversely, when it is occupied by uppercase letters, and when lowercase letters and uppercase letters coexist in the same amount. Three cases can be selected in advance depending on the mode, thereby reducing the process of selecting the font to be used7 and shortening the time required to generate characters.

FIG. 4-1 shows a block diagram selected in mode 1 when the majority of one page of character information to be output by the image output means is occupied by lowercase letters, and FIG.
The figure shows a block diagram selected for mode 2 when most of the characters are occupied by uppercase letters, and Figure 4-3 shows a block diagram for mode 3.
shows a block diagram that is selected when the same amount of uppercase and lowercase letters coexist.

In Figure 4-1, l is an external device, 2 is an image processing unit,
90 is an image output means. 53 receives a character code for determining a character to be outputted by CPtJ from external device l by signal 23. 4 is a character size recognition means for recognizing the character size to be generated for the character information 6 transmitted from the external device 1; 5 is a character size recognition means for specifying the resolution of the image output means transmitted from the external device The character size recognition means 4 transmits the recognized character size to the CPU 53 by a signal 8.The resolution recognition means 5 also
The recognized resolution is transmitted to the CPU 53 by a signal 9. The CPU 53 uniquely generates a character identification code from the recognized character size and resolution. The character identification code is uniquely generated based on the resolution and character size as shown in FIG. 2, and is used in conjunction with the character code to extract a specified character from the font.

After generating the character identification code, the CF'U 53 transmits the character code and the character identification code to the character information management means 51 by a signal 50. In this example, the character identification code is 6.
The following fonts are stored as outline fonts, and 7 and above are stored as dot fonts. If the requested character information is stored in the character dot font memory 16, the character information management means 51 extracts the corresponding character dot information by a signal 52, and after transmitting it as data 18 to the data transfer means 22, the data transfer means 22 , the data is sent to the image output means 90, and the characters are output. However, when a character is requested to be generated in an outline font instead of a character dot font, the character information management means 51 transmits the character code and character identification code to the CPU 53 by the signal 50, and the CPU 53 receives the signal 50. Then, signal 54
This is notified to the character information selection means 55 by. When the character information selection means 55 receives the signal 54, it informs the character information management means 57 that the outline font memory is to be selected as an alternative, and at the same time transmits the designated character code and character identification code by the signal 56. . Upon receiving the signal 56, the character information management means 57 selectively selects the outline font memory 17 and transmits the character code and character identification code designated by the signal 58. The outline font memory 17 extracts data for the requested character to be generated and transmits it as data 19 to the character conversion means 20. Character conversion means 20 converts data 1
9 is converted into character dot information and sent as data 21 to the data transfer means 22, and the data transfer means 22 sends the data to the image output means 90, where the designated character is output.

Note that Figure 4-2, which is explained as mode 2, is mode l.
This is a block diagram showing a case in which the character dot font memory is searched for the requested character first, while the outline font memory is searched first. A similar operation is performed.

4-3, which is explained as mode 3, operates in the same way as that described in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the explanation of FIGS. 4-2 and 4-3 is similar to that shown in FIG. Omitted. Further, selection and setting of modes 1 to 3 may be performed by commands from the external device 1 or by hardware on the printer 2 side, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Note that the numbers (10) to (17) in the figure match the content of the text. In FIG. 5, the printer 2 recognizes the character size to be output from the external device 1 (10), and at the same time recognizes the resolution (11).

The CPU 53 generates a character identification code that identifies characters to be output according to the output character size and resolution (
12). The character information management means 51 retrieves the data of the requested character to be generated from the character dot font memory 16 based on the character code and character identification code (13). (13)
If the requested character data exists in the character dot font memory, the character will be generated, but if it does not exist (14), the requested character data is extracted from the outline font memory 17 (15), the dot font Conversion into data (16) leads to character generation.

The character dot font data 18 extracted by (13) or the dot font data 21 converted by (16) are sent to the data transfer means 22, and the data transfer means 22 sends the data to the image output means 90. , characters are output (17).

The flowchart in FIG. 6 shows a case where the character dot font memory is searched for the requested character first in the flow shown in FIG. 5, whereas the outline font memory is searched first. Therefore, except for such differences, the same operation as in the flowchart in FIG. 5 is performed, and therefore the explanation of FIG. 6 will be omitted.

[Third Embodiment] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the third embodiment, in which the selection setting means 100. Except for the selection setting signal 102 and the character information selection means 101, the functions are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and therefore will not be described.

The third embodiment determines whether to use outline font data or character dot font data at the stage where a requested character font is uniquely selected according to the character size to be output and the resolution of the printer. It is characterized by making the determining means (threshold value) variable. By doing so, for example, when the user wants to see the overall composition of the page rather than the beauty of the characters, or when the user wants to increase the printing speed during continuous printing, the character dot font can be used within the allowable range. It's more convenient.

In this example, creating a state in which the character dot font is used within a permissible range or forcibly is referred to as the trial printing mode.

The character information selection means 101 is sent from the CPU 3 (
For example, in Figure 2, if the code is 6 or less, the normal mode is set to use the outline font for the character information selection code, and if the code is 3 or less, the outline font is used. Set two types of modes. Switching between the normal mode and the trial printing mode is performed by the selection setting means 100, and the mode determined by the selection setting means 100 is transmitted to the character information selection means 101 by a selection setting signal 102. Character information selection means 10 by signal 102
1 determines the mode based on the requested mode, and selects outline font data and character dot font data according to the threshold value according to the mode. Such determination of the trial printing mode and normal mode is made from the external device 1. It may be performed by a command, or it may be performed by hardware on the printer 2 side.

As is clear from the various examples above, depending on the output character size and output resolution, for the output requested character,
By providing selection means for uniquely selecting whether to use vector information or character dot information, and character generation means for generating characters of the selected font,
This has the effect of preventing the occurrence of quality-degraded characters (uneven line width, crushed characters, etc.) when small-sized characters are generated and when the resolution of a phototypesetting device is changed.

〔effect〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the output has a selection means for uniquely selecting whether to use vector information or character dot information for the output requested character in accordance with changes in the output character size and output resolution. It became possible to provide the equipment.

According to the present invention, it has become possible to provide an output envelope that can prevent quality deterioration (such as uneven line width and flattened characters) due to changes in output resolution.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a font selection table diagram in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of a font selection table in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4-1, FIG. 4-2, and FIG. 4-3 are block diagrams showing the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of character information based on vector information, character conversion means for converting the vector information into character dot information, and memory for storing character dot information for a plurality of specific characters in advance. 1. An output device comprising: means; and selection means for selectively selecting whether to use either the vector information or the character dot information depending on the output resolution when requesting character output. (2) The output device according to claim 1, wherein the selection means performs the selection based on output resolution and output size.