JP2845026B2 - Printing control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing control device,
In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement in a print control device that prints data created by a computer or the like and expands the data into raster image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer (printing apparatus) of this type, "data indicating a drawable area" and "data indicating drawing image data (hereinafter referred to as drawing image data) are stored in a semiconductor memory device in the printing apparatus. The area for storing ") was secured.

[0003] "Data indicating a drawable area" is created from a command (called clipping) for designating the shape of a drawing area included in a drawing command data group including various drawing commands sent from the host computer. It is stored in an area secured in the form of dimensional raster image data. The “rendering image data” masks the two-dimensional raster image data generated by processing the rendering command in the rendering command data with the above-described data indicating the drawable area (hereinafter, referred to as clipping data). This data is also stored in an area secured in the form of raster image data. The information indicated by this drawing image is the actual output image. After the processing of the drawing command data is completed, the printing mechanism of the printing apparatus is started, and information indicating a drawing image composed of raster image data on the semiconductor storage device is input to the printing mechanism, thereby printing one page. Was.

In addition, this type of printer device (printing device)
Then, analyze the data sent from the computer,
Various processes are performed. When “painting” or “clipping” is performed on a graphic having a shape specified by vector data in the data, the specified graphic is a convex polygon (a polygon having no concave portions; generally, a polygon having no concave portions. , A trapezoid having an upper base and a lower base parallel to the raster direction). Each of the divided and stored polygons is actually filled and clipped.
Here, the clipping process refers to a mask process performed by using the clipping data generated by the process of designating the shape of the drawing area included in the data.

Data representing a drawing image generated as a result of the filling process is converted into "line segment data" including the length, position, density, etc. of a line segment to be printed in the same raster. Is stored in an external storage device such as a fixed magnetic disk device, and when the operation of the printing mechanism is started, the line segment data is sequentially read out, converted into "raster image data" and printed.

In addition, this type of printer device (printing device)
In this document, vector data received as print data is converted into a vector data group composed of straight lines, and then converted into printable image data. At this time, if a "curve" is given as vector data, the given curve is represented by a group of short straight lines (hereinafter referred to as a group of short vector data).
And the short vector expansion processing for storing in the semiconductor memory device is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

Here, conventional short vector expansion processing will be described with reference to FIG. Curve vector data is input from the outside (step S21), an approximation process to the short vector data group is performed (step S22), and it is checked whether or not the expanded short vector data group can be stored in the semiconductor memory device (step S23). ). If "there is free space" where the short vector data group can be stored in the semiconductor memory device, the approximated short vector data group is stored in the semiconductor memory device (step S24), and the process ends normally (step S26). . If "there is no free space" in which the short vector data group can be stored in the semiconductor memory device, error processing is performed (step S25).
The process ends abnormally (step S27).

[0008]

However, in recent years, the amount of raster image data for one page has been extremely increased due to the increase in resolution and image quality of the printer device, and thus the capacity of the print control device has been increased. In a method of holding clipping data as raster image data for one page on a conventional semiconductor memory device, for example, if one pixel of clipping data requires a data size of 1 bit, an A4 size print output is output. When printing, if the resolution is about 12 pixels / mm, the necessary area size of the semiconductor storage device is about 1 megabyte. However, in the case of the output size A0, 1
If a memory of as much as 6 Mbytes is required, and if the resolution is increased by n times, the required area size will be a square of n times. If the semiconductor memory device is used as it is to cope with the trend toward higher resolution and larger size, the cost of the semiconductor memory device in the printing apparatus will be greatly increased, and furthermore, C
A print control device that can be put to practical use cannot be manufactured because it exceeds the limit such as the upper limit of the amount of data that can be processed by the PU.

When a graphic shape to be filled is designated by a "curve", the curve is approximated as a series of short straight lines (hereinafter, referred to as short vectors). The number of the divided short vectors greatly increases due to the size of the graphic and the higher resolution of the print control device. By increasing the number of divisions of the curve, the smoothness of the curve can be maintained even at high resolution. When the number of short vector data generated by division increases, the data size of the short vector data group exceeds the storage capacity of the semiconductor memory device for storing the short vector data group, division approximation becomes impossible, and printing processing is stopped. Resulting in. Further, if a large-capacity semiconductor memory device is provided to expand such data, there is also a problem that the device cost is increased. As the number of the divided short vectors increases, the number of polygons divided from the figure also increases, and a large-capacity semiconductor storage device is required to store the polygons. Causes a significant increase in cost. Therefore, the same disadvantages as described above occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing control apparatus capable of reducing the amount of semiconductor memory devices and performing large-size, high-resolution, high-quality printing. The purpose is to provide.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a print control apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a first storage device for storing received drawing command data and processing process data; and a first storage device for storing data immediately before print output. And a second storage device for storing, from the drawing command data, generating clipping data indicating a drawable area based on a clipping command specifying a drawing area shape, and generating two-dimensional raster image data based on the clipping data. And a print control device for processing a drawing command in the drawing command data, masking the generated two-dimensional raster image data based on the clipping data, and printing out based on the two types of raster image data. In the above, the clipping data is converted into a printable length within the same raster. And clipping the line segment data converting means for converting the clipping segment data consisting 置等,
And control means for controlling the clipping line data generated by the clipping line data conversion means to be selectively stored in the first storage device or the second storage device.

The image processing apparatus further includes a first storage device for storing the received drawing command data and the process data, and a second storage device for storing data immediately before printing and outputting. The specified figure is divided into convex polygons, processing such as filling and clipping is performed on the divided convex polygons, and the data subjected to the processing such as filling is converted into line segment data. In a print control apparatus for generating raster image data based on minute data and outputting the generated raster image data to a printing apparatus, the print control apparatus stores the convex polygon data divided into convex polygons in the first storage device or the second storage device. And control means for selectively storing the information in the apparatus.

A first storage device for storing the received drawing command data and the process data; and a second storage device for storing data immediately before printing out, wherein the drawing command data includes vector data. In a print control device that approximately divides the represented curve into a short vector data group including a short straight line group, generates raster image data based on the short vector data group, and outputs the generated raster image data to a printing device, the print control device includes: A control means for selectively storing the short vector data group approximately divided into short straight line groups in the first storage device or the second storage device.

[0014]

The printing control device generates clipping data based on the clipping command, and masks the two-dimensional raster image data based on the drawing command with the clipping data. Then, the clipping data is converted into clipping line segment data by clipping line segment data conversion means. The control means selects either the first storage device or the second storage device and stores the clipping line segment data. Therefore, when an area exceeding the capacity of the first storage device is required, it can be stored in, for example, the second storage device (external storage device such as a hard disk drive), and thus the first storage device (semiconductor storage device) can be stored. You do not need to increase the capacity.

Further, the printing control device divides the graphic designated by the vector data into convex polygons, and performs processing such as painting the divided convex polygons. The control means stores the data of the convex polygon by selecting either a first storage device (semiconductor storage device) or a second storage device (external storage device such as a hard disk drive). Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the storage capacity of the first storage device even if the amount of graphic data specified by the vector data becomes enormous.

Further, the printing control device approximately divides the curve data into short vector data groups. The control means stores the short vector data group by selecting either the first storage device (semiconductor storage device) or the second storage device (external storage device such as a hard disk drive).

[0017]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a print control apparatus according to the present invention. First Embodiment This embodiment is for processing clipping data.

First, the hardware configuration of the above embodiment will be described. Note that the hardware configuration is common to the other embodiments. First, FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an external connection of the embodiment of the print control apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, an external connector 101 of the computer 100 and a first interface connector 3 of the print control device 300 are provided so that a print command can be transmitted and received between the computer 100 and the print control device 300.
01 are connected by a first cable 401. In addition, the print control device 300 sends the information to the inkjet printer 2.
A second cable 402 connects the second interface connector 302 of the print control device 300 and the interface connector 201 of the inkjet printer 200 so that the raster image data, which is one line of data, can be sent to 00.

Next, the configuration of the print control device 300 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 (A)
As shown in FIG. 5, a first interface circuit 303 for receiving data is connected to a first interface connector 301 to which data is input from the computer 100. Similarly, the second interface connector 3
02 is connected to the second interface circuit 350 so that data can be transmitted. A first bus 313 is connected to the other ends of both interface circuits so that data can be exchanged with the first CPU 305. The first bus 313 has a first dynamic memory 306 for storing data, a third interface circuit 307 for interfacing with the hard disk drive 309, and a communication for communication with a second CPU 310 to be described later. A first port of a dual port memory 308 having two ports and having the same memory cell accessible from both ports, and a DMAC 314 for performing direct memory transfer between these devices are connected.

On the other hand, the second bus 312 of the second CPU 310
Is connected to a second port of the dual port memory 308 and a second dynamic memory 311 for storing data. The hard disk 309 has “2nd
And a program such as a command execution unit 402 and a data size conversion unit 407 according to the gist of the present invention, which will be described later with reference to FIG. Transferred to 311. 2, illustration of various control signals such as an address bus and a chip select signal is omitted.

The configuration of the second interface circuit 350 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a data input terminal of a first-in first-out memory device (hereinafter, referred to as FIFO) 351 is connected to the first bus 313 so that data can be written from the first CPU 305 or the like. A driver 352 for outputting data to the second interface connector 302 is connected to a data output terminal of the FIFO 351. A receiver 353 is provided for receiving a ready signal from the second interface connector 302 and inputting the signal to the control circuit 354. The FI
A control circuit 354 is provided to generate a read signal 359 of the FO 351 and a data clock signal 356 output to the second interface connector 302 via the driver 352.
Clock signal 360 for controlling the timing of 54
Is generated. A clock generation circuit 355 for generating the clock is provided. The empty flag 357 of the FIFO 351 is input to the control circuit 354.

Next, the ink jet printer 200
Will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, input data and a data clock signal 221 are connected to the interface connector 201 by FIFO2.
A data input terminal 05 and a receiver 202 for inputting to the interface control circuit 204 are connected. A driver 203 for outputting a ready signal 220 generated by the interface control circuit 204 is connected to the interface connector 201. In order to prevent overflow of the FIFO 205, the full flag signal 22 of the FIFO 205
3 is connected to the interface control circuit 204. To write data to FIFO 205,
A write signal 222 is connected from the interface control circuit 204.

The data output terminal of the FIFO 205 has a CP
A bus 230 is connected so that the U 206 can read data, and a dynamic memory 20 for storing data is connected to the bus 230 so that data can be exchanged with each other.
7. First data memory 2 for storing print data to be described later
09, the second data memory 210, the third data memory 21
The first and fourth data memories 212 are connected to each other. The data output terminal of the first data memory 209 is connected to the first head control circuit 213 so that the print data 224 can be sent out, and the read signal 228 of the data read control circuit 208 is controlled by the first signal to control the reading. It is connected to the data memory 209. Further, an area to be a “first storage device” is secured in the dynamic memory 207.

On the other hand, the first head control circuit 213 has a head control signal 229 connected to the inkjet head 251 so that the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 256 can be controlled, and the inkjet head 251 has an ink pump (not shown). So that ink is supplied from pipe 2
60 are connected. Second to fourth data memory 21
0, 211, 212, the first data memory 2
The connection is made in the same manner as in the case from 09. Each of the ink jet heads 251 to 254 has a pipe 260 to 26
For example, inks of four colors, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, are supplied through 3.

The four ink-jet heads 251 to 251
Drum 269 around which paper 264 is wound
Are arranged rotatably around a shaft 265, and an encoder 266 capable of sending a rotation timing signal to the data read control circuit 208 is attached to the shaft 265. A belt 268 for transmitting the rotation of the motor 267 is stretched around the shaft 265. The four inkjet heads 251 to 254 are arranged on a single bed (not shown), and are configured to be integrally movable in the axial direction of the drum 269.

Next, a series of printing operations of the printing control device 300 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
When receiving the command group to be printed from the computer 100, the first CPU 305 (see FIG. 2A) first stores the command group in the hard disk drive 309. At this time, since the command group is not received while interpreting the command group, the computer 100 can be quickly released from communication and stored in the hard disk drive.
The capacity of the dynamic memory 207 for storing commands can be reduced. When all the command groups are input from the computer 100 (see FIG. 1), the first CPU 305 writes a command instructing the second CPU 310 to interpret the command group in the dual port memory 308.
On the other hand, when receiving the command, the second CPU 310 reads the command group from the hard disk drive 309 and writes the command
A command instructing the PU 305 is similarly written in the dual port memory 308. When the command group is written to the dual port memory 308, the second CPU 310 reads the command group from the memory 308, interprets the command group, and stores the result in the second dynamic memory 311.

The procedure of the interpretation will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a procedure for interpreting a command group and developing the command data into print data. The procedure for these interpretations is the same as for the command group.
09, the first CPU is activated by a command from the external host computer, and the interface circuit 30
7 reads out the development procedure stored in the hard disk drive 309,
Is written to.

Then, this procedure is written in the second dynamic memory 311 and, prior to the command, the second CPU
It is executed sequentially by -310 and waits for the arrival of a command. Commands to be interpreted include vector data represented by straight lines and circles and their coordinate values, fill, stroke,
The command includes a command for performing processing of a clip or the like, and bit image data obtained by scanning a photograph with an image scanner or the like and digitizing the photograph. The command group written in the dual port memory is decomposed one by one by the command interpretation unit 401, and the command dictionary 403
Is checked for a valid command.

While the command execution unit 402 uses the work area 404 on the second dynamic memory 311 as a temporary buffer, a figure formed by vector data is
The bit image data is converted into clipping line segment data or drawing line segment data, which will be described later, and the bit image data is separated from the command group and written to the hard disk drive 309. The converted “clipping line data” is stored in the clipping line data storage unit 407, and “position information of the drawing line data and bit image data” is stored in the drawing line data storage unit 405. Note that the clipping line segment data storage unit 407 stores the clipping line segment data main storage unit 4 in the “first storage device” on the dynamic memory 207.
08 and the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 40 in the “second storage device” on the hard disk drive 309.
9 is comprised.

FIG. 6 shows a clipping line segment data main storage unit 4.
08 shows the data structure stored. Main storage unit 40
8 has a header, and stores a start raster number 551, an end raster number 552 of the clipping area, main storage unit management information 553, and auxiliary storage unit management information 554. The main storage unit management information 553 includes information for writing data in the clipping line segment data main storage unit 408 (the area size of the clipping line segment data main storage unit 408, the area size of the already written area, and the next write address). Pointers, etc.) are stored. The auxiliary storage unit management information 554 includes the writing status of the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 409 (area size of the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 409, written area size, number of the sector to be written next, clipping A list of link information to the line segment data auxiliary storage unit 409).

Further, the main storage section 40 of the clipping line segment data
Assuming that the area size of 8 is an integral multiple of the sector length (for example, 512 bytes, 1024 bytes, etc.), which is the management unit of the HD device in which the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 409 exists, the clipping line segment data main storage unit 408 The access efficiency of the hard disk device 309 at the time of data transfer to the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 409 is high,
Lean transfer is realized.

The data 555 in each raster unit is
This is a configuration in which link information 556 to the line data of the next raster and the number of line segments 557 existing on the raster are followed by each line data. One piece of line segment data is represented as data having a start point position 558 and an end point position 559 on the raster.

FIG. 7 shows a clipping line segment data main storage unit 4.
08, the relationship of the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 409 is shown. When the shape of the clipping figure is simple or small, the clipping line data main storage unit 408 is sufficient to store the clipping line data, but when the shape is complicated or large, the clipping line Main data storage unit for clipping line data
At some point in writing to 08, the clipping line segment data main storage 408 is full. In this case, all the data stored in the clipping line segment data main storage unit 408 is transferred to the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 409, and with the transfer, the auxiliary storage unit management information 554 is updated (the clipping line segment data auxiliary The size of the written area in the storage unit 409 is updated, the transferred sector number list is updated, and the like. The main storage unit management information 553 is also changed so that the next clipping line segment data writing is performed again from the beginning of the clipping line segment data main storage unit (the written area size is set to 0, the pointer indicating the next write address is set to 0). (At the top of the clipping line segment data main storage unit 408).

FIG. 8 shows a specific example of a clip figure as a “drawable area”, drawing of bit image data, and a filled figure (fill). Various commands are “CLIP”
It is assumed that a clip figure 571 having the shape of a character string, a bit image data drawing 572, and a triangular fill 573 are transmitted from the host computer in this order. Note that the character string “CLIP” is a character string “ABCDEF”,
Appropriate figures such as figures “「 ”and“ ◇ ”may be used.

In a certain raster i, “clipping line segment data” in which bit image data drawing 572 and a triangular fill 573 are clipped with a clip graphic 571
Is denoted by reference numeral 575. That is, in FIG.
1, C1e2 to C1s5 and C1e5. Where C
1sN is a line segment start point, C1eN is a line segment end point, and "N" is a positive integer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart outlining a method for storing clipping line segment data. First, when clipping line segment data is stored, reference is made to the main storage management information 553 that stores a written area size of the clipping line segment data main storage 408, a pointer indicating the next write address, and the like (step S721). It is determined whether line segment data can be written to the clipping line segment data main storage unit 408 (step S722). If the entire area of the clipping line segment data main storage unit has already been written, the area size of the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 409,
With reference to the auxiliary storage unit management information 554 that holds the written area size, the next write sector number, and the like (step S723), the clipping line segment data main storage unit 408 is used.
All of the contents of the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 409
(Step S724), and the auxiliary storage unit management information 5
54 and the main storage unit storage information 553 are updated (step S725). Then, the clipping line segment data not yet stored is stored in the clipping line segment data main storage unit 4.
08 (step S726), and updates the main storage unit management information 553 (step S727). Step S
If it is determined in 722 that writing is possible, the clipping line segment data is written into the clipping line segment data main storage unit 408 (step S726), and the main storage unit management information 553 is updated (step S727).

The clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 4
09 is arranged on the hard disk drive 309. In step S725, the data transfer rate can be maximized by setting the data transfer unit to an integral multiple of the sector length of the hard disk. Normally, the cost per bit of storage capacity is about one hundredth of that of a semiconductor memory with a hard disk, and a significant reduction in speed is not caused by using a semiconductor memory and a hard disk together and optimizing a data transfer unit. In addition, a large-capacity and low-cost storage means is realized.

As described above, the clipping line segment data 575 of the clip 571 shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the clipping line segment data main storage unit 408 and the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit 409.

Next, the process of drawing a bit image 572 and filling a triangle fill 572 will be described. FIG. 10 shows a data configuration stored in the drawing line segment data storage unit 405. One piece of line segment data is expressed as line segment data having four fields of an image flag bit 501, a start point position 502, an end point position 503, and a color value 504. This line segment data is stored in a line segment data buffer 5 for each raster.
05 is stored in the interpretation order.

Using the above example (see FIG. 8), consider the case of a certain raster i. For vector data,
Taking the triangular fill 572 as an example, it is a series of dots having the same color value Cc from the start point Trs to the end point Tre. On the other hand, in the bit image data, there is a low possibility that dots having the same color value continue,
1, only the position information where the image is arranged and the image ID are stored in the line segment data, and the bit image data is separated and held. Therefore, the bit image data is simply represented as line segment data of the start point Is and the end point Is.

However, since the clipping area has already been specified in the shape of the clip graphic 571, the raster i
The above drawn line segment data is the result of the masking processing performed with the clipping line segment data. The clipping line segment data on the raster i in the clipping line segment data stored in the clipping line segment data main storage unit 408 or the auxiliary storage unit 409 is transferred to the work area 404. FIG. 11 shows a state of clipping on the raster i performed in the work area 404 and drawing line segment data generated as a result. Line segments indicated by reference numerals 581 to 585 are “clipping line segment data”. Reference numeral 586 denotes an image drawing portion, and reference numeral 587 denotes a triangular fill portion.
Each of reference numerals 586 and 587 is masked by clipping line segment data 581 to 585 to become drawing line segment data like reference numerals 588 to 592. The drawing line segment data is stored in the drawing line segment data storage unit 405 in a form like reference numeral 593.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of a method for storing the drawing line segment data. First, reference is made to the buffer management information 506 which holds the usage rate of the drawing line segment data buffer 505 and the position of the free area (step S70).
1) It is determined whether or not line segment data can be written in the drawing line segment data buffer 505 (step S702). If writing is not possible due to the buffer full, reference is made to the auxiliary buffer management information holding the usage rate of the drawing line segment data auxiliary buffer 507 and the connection information with the line segment data buffer 505 (step S703), and draw line line data. A part of the contents of the buffer is transferred to the line segment data auxiliary buffer (step S704), and the auxiliary buffer management information is updated (step S705). The drawing line segment data is written into the drawing line segment data buffer (step S706), and the buffer management information is updated (step S707). Similar to the clipping line segment data storage unit described above, a drawing line segment data auxiliary buffer is also arranged on the hard disk drive 309. In step S705, the data transfer unit is set to an integral multiple of the sector length of the hard disk. The data transfer rate can be maximized. By using a semiconductor memory and a hard disk together and optimizing the data transfer unit, a large-capacity and low-priced buffer can be realized without a significant reduction in speed.

When the above interpretation is completed for all the command groups, the second CPU 310
08 to issue a command to notify that printing has started.
Upon receiving the command, the first CPU 305 sends the command to the second interface control circuit 350.
0 is written as the start command. If the ready signal 358 is true, the second interface control circuit 350 reads the data from the FIFO one byte at a time and sends it to the second interface connector 302, and simultaneously sends the data clock signal one pulse at a time. The interface control circuit 204 in the inkjet printer 200 fetches the data into the FIFO 205 in synchronization with the data clock signal. The above operation is performed when the FIFO 351 in the print control device 300 becomes empty or when the FIFO
There is no interruption until 5 is full. Further, the interface control circuit 204 includes a FIFO 205
To the CPU 206 that data has been input to the CPU 206. When the CPU 206 sequentially reads the data and recognizes that the command is a start command, the mechanism control circuit (not shown) starts the motor 267 and rotates the drum 269.

Subsequently, the second CPU 310
At step 05, the first print data is read.
The print data is “line data” stored in the line data buffer 505 and the line data auxiliary buffer 507.
And “bit image data” stored in the hard disk drive 309 by reconstructing them.

Next, a method of forming print data will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the configuration of the print data. FIG. 13 is a buffer on the second dynamic memory 311 for configuring the print data, and a line buffer 80 for storing the print data.
1, a dot flag row 802 and a dot counter 803. Here, the dot flag row 802 exists by the number corresponding to all the dots in the raster, and is set to ON when writing is performed on the corresponding dots. The dot counter 803 is a counter that counts the number of written dots in the raster.

A method for forming one raster into "print data" will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the line buffer 801 and the dot flag string 80
2. Initialize the dot counter 803 (step S9)
01). Next, it is checked whether or not the corresponding raster has "line segment data" (step S902). If there is no line segment data, the process ends. If there is no line segment data, one data is read (step S903). The line segment data is read from the latest data to the oldest data. That is, reading is performed in a “reverse order”.
The start point position of the read line segment data is set in the dot position pointer (step S904). Here, it is checked whether or not the dot counter is equal to the printing width (step S).
905), if equal, end.

Next, the dot flag corresponding to the current dot pointer is checked (step S906). If it is on, the process jumps to step S912. The image flag of the line segment data is checked (step S907). If it is on, the bit image data is developed (step S908), and the bit image data is written to the corresponding dot of the line buffer (step S910). If it is not bit image data, the color value of the current line segment data is written to the line buffer (step S909).
Next, the dot counter is updated, the dot flag is set to ON (step S911), and the dot position pointer is updated (step S912). If the dot position counter is equal to the end point position of the line segment data, step S90
2, and if not equal, the process returns to step S905 (step S913).

As described above, there are two end conditions, ie, Step S902 and Step S905, for expanding the print data of “line segment data”. Step S902 is a case where the line segment data is lost in the corresponding raster. This is a normal termination condition.

Step S905 is a state in which the dot counter has become equal to the print width, that is, a state in which writing has been completed for all dots in the line buffer. For example, although not shown, when two figures are drawn in an overlapping manner, the line segment data of the lower figure may be hidden below the upper figure, and may not need to be developed. Therefore, unnecessary processing is not performed, which contributes to speeding up the expansion processing.

Although not described in detail, data is read from the hard disk drive 309 in steps S902 and S908. In step S902, necessary line segment data is read from the line segment data auxiliary buffer, and in step S908, bit image data separated from the line segment data is read.

The first CPU 305 (see FIG. 2A)
The expanded data is stored in the dynamic memory 207, and the DMAC 314 is instructed to write the expanded data to the second interface circuit 350.
At this time, the required dynamic memory capacity is at least 1
This is the amount of data for the raster, and can be significantly reduced as compared to the case where one page of expanded data is provided. DMAC31
4 stops writing when FIFO 351 becomes full,
When the FIFO 351 becomes empty, writing is started again. While the direct memory transfer is suspended, the first CPU 305 transmits the next line segment data to the second CPU.
The data can be transferred to the hard disk drive 309 from the hard disk drive 309, and the developed data can be stored in another area of the dynamic memory 207. Further, the second CPU 310 can continue the expansion work regardless of whether or not the bus 230 is in use, so that high-speed processing is possible. DMAC
When the expansion data is written in the FIFO 351 by the 314, the same as described in the transmission of the start command,
The data is sent to the inkjet printer 200,
The CPU 206 stores the data in the dynamic memory 207
To store temporarily.

Further, the CPU 206 sequentially stores only the cyan data component in the data memory 212 for one raster, and instructs the data reading control circuit 208 to print one raster when the storing is completed. Upon receiving the command, the data read control circuit 208 synchronizes with the output signal of the encoder 266 and
The content of 2 is sent to the fourth head control circuit 216. The fourth head control circuit 216 determines the drive amount based on the data and drives the head 254. The head 254 ejects the ink amount corresponding to the driving amount onto the paper 264. This jet prints one raster image of cyan on paper 264 on drum 269. Next, the CPU 206 moves the head in the axial direction by one raster, and repeats the above operation for the next cyan raster image. Then, when the head 253 reaches the first cyan raster position, the same is repeated from the next on the magenta and cyan data. If the necessary data is not on the dynamic memory 207, the process waits until data is input. The above operation is repeated for yellow and black, and by stopping the printing of the raster sequentially from cyan until the end of the print data, full-color printing on the paper 264 can be performed. At this time, the capacity required for the dynamic memory 207 in the inkjet printer 200 is the sum of the memory capacities for storing the intervals between the heads for printing.
The same printed matter can be obtained with an extremely small amount of memory for the raster image memory for the page.

Second Embodiment This embodiment is for processing convex polygon data. Although the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 2B, it is the same as FIG. 2A except for the illustrated parts.

The first CPU 305 (see FIG. 2A)
A command group to be printed is received from the computer 100, and the command group is stored in the hard disk drive 309. When all the command groups are input, the first CPU 3
05 writes a command instructing the second CPU 310 in the dual port memory 308 to interpret this command group. On the other hand, when receiving the command, the second CPU 310 reads the command group from the hard disk drive 309 and similarly writes the command instructing the first CPU 305 to the dual port memory 308 to write the command group to the dual port memory 308. This is the same as the embodiment.

Command group is dual port memory 308
Is written to the memory 3, the second CPU 310
08, the command group is read, interpreted, and the result is stored in the second dynamic memory 311.

The procedure of the "interpretation" is shown in FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows a functional block diagram of a procedure for interpreting a command group and developing it into print data. These interpretation procedures are stored in the hard disk drive 309 in the same manner as the command group, the first CPU is activated by a command from the external host computer, and the interface circuit 307 reads out the development procedure stored in the hard disk drive 309. The data is written to the dual port memory 308.

Then, this procedure is written in the second dynamic memory 311 and, prior to the command, the second CPU
310, which are executed sequentially and are waiting for the arrival of a command. Commands to be interpreted include vector data represented by straight lines and circles and their coordinate values, and painting, strokes,
The command includes a command for processing a clip or the like, and bit image data obtained by scanning a photograph with an image scanner or the like and digitizing the photograph. The command group written in the dual port memory is decomposed into commands one by one by a command interpreting unit 401, and the command dictionary 40
3 checks whether the command is valid.

While the command execution unit 402 uses the work area 404 on the second dynamic memory 311 as a temporary buffer, the graphic formed by the vector data is divided into trapezoids as described later. Is converted to drawing line segment data.
The bit image data is separated from the command group and written to the hard disk drive 309. The divided trapezoid is stored in the trapezoid data storage unit 410, and the position information of the drawing line segment data and the bit image data is stored in the drawing line segment data storage unit 405. Note that the trapezoid data storage unit 410 stores the “first
The main storage unit 411 is a trapezoidal data storage unit that is a “storage device”, and the auxiliary storage unit 412 is a “second storage device” on the hard disk drive 309.

FIG. 16A shows a trapezoid data main storage unit 411.
Shows the data structure stored in. The main storage unit 411 has a header, and stores main storage unit management information 561 and auxiliary storage unit management information 562. This main storage unit management information 5
61 stores information for writing data in the trapezoidal data main storage unit 411 (area size of the trapezoidal data main storage unit 411, written area size, a pointer indicating the next write address, and the like). The auxiliary storage unit management information 562 includes a trapezoidal data auxiliary storage unit 412.
The status of writing to the memory (the area size of the trapezoidal data auxiliary storage unit 412, the size of the area already written, the number of the sector to be written next, a list of link information to the trapezoidal data auxiliary storage unit 412, etc.) is stored.

The area size of the trapezoid data main storage unit 411 is determined by the sector length (for example, 512 bytes, 1 byte) which is a management unit of the HD device in which the trapezoid data auxiliary storage unit 412 exists.
024 bytes), the access efficiency of the hard disk device 309 at the time of data transfer from the trapezoidal data main storage unit 411 to the trapezoidal data auxiliary storage unit 412 is high, and wasteless transfer is realized. The data of each trapezoid unit is the y value 564 of the upper base of the trapezoid and the y value 56 of the lower base of the trapezoid.
5. x value 566 at the upper left of the trapezoid, x value 56 at the lower left of the trapezoid
7, x value 568 at the upper right of the trapezoid, x value 569 at the lower right of the trapezoid
Consists of

FIG. 16B shows a trapezoidal data main storage section 41.
1 shows the relationship between the trapezoidal data auxiliary storage unit 412. When the shape of the figure is simple or small, the trapezoid data main storage unit 411 is sufficient to store the trapezoid data. However, when the shape is complicated or large, the trapezoid data is mainly stored in the trapezoid data. At some point, the trapezoidal data main storage 411 is full. In this case, all the data stored in the trapezoidal data main storage unit 411 is transferred to the trapezoidal data auxiliary storage unit 412, and with the transfer, the auxiliary storage unit management information 562 is updated (the trapezoidal data auxiliary storage unit 412 is already written). Update of the area size, update of the transferred sector number list, etc.). The main storage unit management information 561 is also changed so that the trapezoidal data writing from the next time is performed again from the top of the trapezoidal data main storage unit (the written area size is 0, the pointer indicating the next write address is the trapezoidal data main storage). (At the beginning of unit 411).

FIG. 17 is an example showing a target graphic. The command from the host computer is a big circle 571,
Consider the case where small circles 572 are sent in the order of filling (filling between two circles; the result is a donut shape).

In the processing of the instruction designating the large circle 571, the work area 40 on the second dynamic memory 311
4 is used as a temporary buffer, and the curve constituting the large circle 571 is approximately divided into short vector groups (reference numeral 573; a part of the circle divided into short vectors is enlarged). The same applies to the small circle 572 (reference numeral 574; a part of the circle divided into short vectors is enlarged). Based on these divided short vector groups, a trapezoid having an upper base and a lower base horizontal in the raster direction is synthesized (reference numeral 575 is one of the synthesized trapezoids. Do).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an outline of a method of storing trapezoidal data. First, when trapezoidal data is stored, the main storage unit management information 561 that holds a written area size of the trapezoidal data main storage unit 411, a pointer indicating the next write address, and the like is referred to (step S62).
1) It is determined whether trapezoidal data can be written in the trapezoidal data main storage unit 411 (step S622). If the entire area of the trapezoidal data main storage unit has already been written, the auxiliary storage unit management information 562 that stores the area size of the trapezoidal data auxiliary storage unit 412, the area size of the already written area, the next write sector number, and the like is referred to. (Step S623), the entire contents of the trapezoid data main storage unit 411 are transferred to the trapezoid data auxiliary storage unit 412 (step S624), and the auxiliary storage unit management information 562 and the main storage unit storage information 561 are updated (step S625). ). Then, the clipping line segment data not yet stored is stored in the trapezoid data main storage unit 411.
(Step S626), and the main storage unit management information 5
53 is updated (step S627). Step S62
If it is determined in step 2 that writing is possible, the trapezoid data is written into the trapezoid data main storage unit 411 (step S726), and the main storage unit management information 561 is updated (step S627). Note that the trapezoid data auxiliary storage unit 412
It is arranged on the hard disk drive 309, and in step S625, the data transfer rate can be maximized by setting the data transfer unit to an integral multiple of the sector length of the hard disk. Normally, the cost per bit of the storage capacity is 100
By using a semiconductor memory and a hard disk together and optimizing the data transfer unit, it is possible to realize a large-capacity and low-cost buffer without a significant reduction in speed.

By the above operation, the trapezoid data constituting the donut shape shown in FIG.
1 and the trapezoidal data auxiliary storage unit 412. The data structure stored in the drawing line segment data storage unit 405 is as follows:
This is the same as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 10).

On the other hand, although not shown as a specific example, since there is a low possibility that dots having the same color value continue in the bit image data, an image flag bit 501 is provided.
Only the position information where the image is arranged and the image ID are recorded in the line segment data, and the bit image data is separated and stored. Therefore, the bit image data is simply represented as line segment data of the start point and the end point.

Using FIG. 19 as an example, consider a case in which a trapezoid 581 on the left and a trapezoid 582 on the right are respectively converted into drawing line segment data. In a process in which the trapezoid 581 is successively converted into drawing line segment data in accordance with the raster, a certain raster i is a continuation of dots from the start point Ts1 to the end point Te1 with the color value Tc. The same applies to the trapezoid 582, which is a series of dots from the start point Ts2 to the end point Te2 with the color value Tc. These are drawn line segment data in a format indicated by reference numeral 585 in the drawing line segment data storage unit 405.
Is stored in

In the above format, all the stored trapezoids are stored in the drawing line segment data, and the drawing line segment data storage unit 405
Is stored. The method of storing the drawing line segment data and the series of printing operations of the print control device are the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, the interpretation procedure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 shows a functional block diagram of interpretation of a command group and expansion of print data. As shown in FIG. 15, the command interpreting unit 401 and the command executing unit 40
2. Command dictionary unit 403, print data development unit 406
Are stored in the hard disk 309, and the second dynamic memory 311 (FIG. 2A)
The command interpreting unit 401, the command executing unit 402, the command dictionary unit 403, and the print data developing unit 406 are sequentially executed by the second CPU 310. Here, the command interpreting unit 401 decomposes the incoming command group one by one, and the command dictionary 403 checks whether the incoming command group is a valid command,
In the work area 404, a command group arriving under the control of the command execution unit 402 is decomposed to create line segment data. Further, the line segment data storage unit 405 includes the second dynamic memory 311 and the hard disk drive 309.
In the second dynamic memory 311, the above-described line segment data buffer 505 (see FIG. 10) is secured, and in the hard disk drive 309, a line segment data auxiliary buffer 507 is secured.

The command group to be interpreted includes "vector data" represented by figures such as straight lines and circles and their coordinate values, and "bit image data" obtained by scanning a photograph with an image scanner or the like and digitizing it. "It is included. The command group written in the dual port memory 308 is decomposed into commands one by one by the command interpretation unit 401, and the command dictionary 403 checks whether the command is a valid command. Command execution unit 402
Is the work area 40 on the second dynamic memory 311
While using "4" as a temporary buffer, "vector data" is converted into line segment data, and "bit image data" is separated from the command group and written to the hard disk drive 309.

Next, a method of converting vector data into line segment data will be described in detail. The outline of the figure given to the command execution unit 402 as vector data is
The vector data is composed of a straight line and a Bezier curve described later, and the vector data is converted into a short vector data group composed of straight lines by the command execution unit 402, and the coordinate values of the short vector data group are stored in the first short vector stored in the first storage device. It is stored in the storage area 321 and the second short vector storage area 322 in the second storage device by a method described later.

The vector data composed of a “straight line” is stored in the first short vector storage area 321 and the second short vector storage area 322 as they are, with their coordinate values unchanged. Also, vector data consisting of a "Bézier curve" is
Short vector expansion processing for storing the coordinate values of the short vector data group approximated to the first short vector storage area 321 and the second short vector storage area 321 after being divided and approximated by the short vector data group composed of short straight lines. Do.

Hereinafter, the short vector expansion processing will be described. Here, the Bezier curve is a cubic expression represented by a start point, an end point, and two control points, and a general expression is represented by the following expression.

[0075]

(Equation 1) In Equation 1, Qnx (n = 0, 1, 2, 3) is the X coordinate of the Qn point, and Qny (n = 0, 1, 2, 3) is Qn
This is the Y coordinate of the point. Here, “t” is a line distance, and 0 ≦ t ≦ 1. FIG. 22 shows a curve according to Equation 1 in which only the start point Q0 and the end point Q3 are on the curve, and the other points Q1 and Q2 are called "control points" and serve to determine the shape of the curve. I do. Q1 is on the tangent vector at Q0, and Q2 is a point on the tangent vector at Q3. These four points (Q0, Q1, Q2, Q3) are called polygon vertices of the Bezier curve segment. Have been.

In the short vector expansion processing, vector data is expanded into a short vector data group according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the coordinate values of the polygon vertices of the Bezier curve segment, which are vector data consisting of curves, are input (step S1), and short vector approximation processing is performed (step S2).

In step S2, the second CPU 310 reads out the short vector approximation program 320 from the hard disk drive 309 and executes the program as follows to divide and approximate the vector data representing the Bezier curve by a group of straight lines. First, X and Y coordinates of Q0, Q1, Q2, and Q3, which are polygon vertices of a Bezier curve segment, are input.
Qnx (n = 0, 1, 2, 3), Pmx (m = 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6) is the X coordinate of the Qn point, the Pm point, and Qny
(N = 0, 1, 2, 3), Pmx (m = 1, 2, 3,
If (4, 5, 6) is the Qn point and the Pm point is the Y coordinate, P1x = (Q0x + Q1x) × 0.5 P1y = (Q0y + Q1y) × 0.5 P2x = (Q1x + Q2x) × 0.5 P2y = (Q1y + Q2y) × 0.5 P3x = (Q2x + Q3x) × 0.5 P3y = (Q2y + Q3y) × 0.5 P4x = (P1x + P2x) × 0.5 P4y = (P1y + P2y) × 0.5 P5x = (P2x + P3x) × 0.5 P5y = (P2y + P3y) × 0.5 P6x = (P4x + P5x) × 0.5 P6y = (P4y + P5y) × 0.5 The midpoint Pm (m = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) is obtained as shown in FIG. The original Bezier curve is divided into two as shown in
Polygon vertices ｛(Q0,
(P1, P4, P6) and (P6, P5, P3, Q3)} are obtained. At this time, P6 is a half-divided point of the original Bezier curve (point corresponding to t = 1/2 in Equation 1). Further, the same processing is performed on the newly obtained polygon vertices of the two Bezier curves, and the above processing is repeated until the distance between adjacent polygon vertices becomes equal to or less than a predetermined length. By repeating this process, the figure connecting the adjacent polygon vertices with a straight line approaches the original Bezier curve, and the coordinate values of the polygon vertices obtained thereby become a divided and approximated short vector data group.

Here, conversion from vector data to short vector data will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. It is assumed that vector data of the graphic shown in FIG. 25 is given to the command execution unit 402 as print data. This figure is composed of two straight lines and two curves. The straight line data indicates the coordinate values of the start point and the end point, and the curve data indicates the coordinate values of the start point, two control points, and the end point which are polygon vertices of the Bezier curve segment. have.

This vector data is transferred to the command execution unit 40
The short vector data group converted into the short vector data group by 2 is the short vector data group shown in FIG. The Bezier curve is divided and approximated by four straight lines by the short vector expansion processing, and the vector data of the figure is stored in the short vector data storage area as a series of short vector data groups.

Then, the divided and approximated short vector data group is stored in the first short vector data storage area 321 and the second short vector data storage area 321 using the data management information 324 shown in FIG.
Is stored in the short vector data storage area 322.
The data management information 324 indicates a “start address” indicating a head address of the first short vector storage area 321 and a last address of an area in the first short vector data storage area 321 where a short vector data group is stored. An “end address” and a “bottom address” indicating the last address at which a short vector data group can be stored in the first short vector storage area 321 are stored, and the first short vector storage area 321 is determined from the difference between the bottom address and the end address. Is calculated and compared with the data size of the divided and approximated short vector data group (step S3), and the short vector data group is stored because the remaining capacity of the first short vector data storage area 321 is insufficient. If not, the first system Over preparative vector data storage area 32
1 is transferred to the second short vector data storage area 322 (step S5), and then the process proceeds to step S4. If the short vector data group can be stored, the process directly proceeds to step S4.

In step S5, the short vector data group from the start address to the end address is
And the number of the added short vector data is added to the value of the data counter 323 in the short vector data group in the short vector storage area 322. And
The short vector data group and the end address value in the first short vector storage area 321 are deleted.

In step S 4, when a numerical value is stored in the end address, the data is expanded from the address next to the end address into the first short vector storage area 321 from the start address when the entry address is empty. The short vector data group is stored, and the stored final address is substituted for the end address, thus ending the processing.

Even if the first short vector storage area 321 is exhausted by the above operation, the short vector data group there is stored in the second short vector storage area 3.
22, the processing is stopped even if the data size of the expanded short vector data group exceeds the capacity of the first short vector storage area 321 in order to clear the first short vector storage area 321 and make it usable. Never do. Further, by providing the second short vector storage area 322 on the hard disk drive 309 having a low unit price per storage capacity, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced as compared with the case where a large-capacity semiconductor storage device is provided. Further, for ordinary development, the first short vector storage area 321 on the second dynamic memory 311 of the semiconductor memory device, which is a high-speed storage device, is used as a storage device for a short vector data group, and the storage capacity of the second dynamic memory 311 is used. By using the second short vector storage area 322 on the hard disk drive 309, which is a low-speed storage device, only as a storage device for a short vector data group, the processing speed can be prevented from deteriorating only when the shortage occurs.

After the completion of the short vector expansion processing, the short vector data groups stored in the first short vector storage area 321 and the second short vector storage area 322 are read out by the second CPU 310 and converted into line segment data groups. You. Here, reading of the short vector data group is performed as follows. The second CPU 310 first checks the value of the data counter 323, and reads short vector data from the second short vector storage area 322 by the number of data counters. Then, the short vector data from the start address to the end address in the data management information 324 is read from the first short vector storage area 321. With respect to the short vector data thus read out, as shown in an example in FIG. 28, line segment data is generated so as to paint all pixels through which the short vector data passes on device coordinates.

FIG. 28 shows a conversion method for converting the short vector 102 into line segment data 103. The short vector 102 is a group of straight lines obtained by dividing and approximating the Bezier curve 101 by the short vector expansion processing. When this line group is drawn on device coordinates, which is a coordinate system having a horizontal and vertical spread corresponding to each point of an image to be actually printed, all points passing through the line group are painted. Line segment data 103 is generated. Each one of the grids in FIG.
One corresponds to one point of the print image, and the hatched portion is a pixel that needs to be painted, and the line segment data 103 is generated to paint the pixel.

By this processing, the first short vector storage area 321 and the second short vector storage area 3
All short vector data stored in 22 is converted to line segment data.

The position information of the line segment data and bit image data converted from the vector data is stored in the line segment data storage unit 405. Here, FIG. 16A shows the data structure of the line segment data stored in the line segment data storage unit 405 (see FIG. 15). FIG. 16A shows a storage state in the second dynamic memory 311. When data in the second dynamic memory 311 overflows, as shown in FIG. 507.

As shown in FIG. 16A, one piece of line segment data includes an image flag bit 501 for determining whether the data is “vector data” or “bit image data”, a starting point position 502 at which data starts to exist, It is represented as line segment data having four fields of an end point position 503 of the end of the existence of data and a color value 504 for defining a color such as red or green. The line segment data is stored in the line segment data buffer 505 divided for each raster in the order of interpretation. The buffer management information 506 holds the usage efficiency of the line segment data buffer 505 and the position of the free area, and the auxiliary buffer management information 508 connects the line segment data buffer 505 to where the line segment data auxiliary buffer 507 is connected. The connection information of the

FIG. 21A shows a second example of a graphic to be output.
An example of an order relationship on the dynamic memory 311 is shown.
As shown in FIG. 21A, photographs and the like are generated in the order in which commands are generated.
Bit image data 601 and vector data
A rectangular 602 and a circular 603 are formed. here
And I_sIs the image start point of the bit image data 601
Indicates the position, I _eIndicates the end point of the image._cIs individual
Image ID indicating the order of appearance of each bit image data
It is. Also, C_sIs the start position of the circle 603, and C
_eIs the end point position, C_cIs a circular color value. Furthermore,
R_sIs the starting point of the rectangle 602, and R_eIs the end position
And R_cIs the color value of the rectangle.

FIG. 21B shows line segment data 604 of the various figures in a given raster i. FIG.
(B), the case of "vector data", taking a circular 603 as an example, since the same color value C _c of the start point C _s to the end point C _e are continuous, holding the data by line segment data Then, the storage capacity can be reduced. As for the image data, only the position information where the image is arranged and the image ID are recorded in the line segment data, and the bit image data is separated and held.

When the line segment data is small, the line segment data is stored in the line segment data buffer 505 of the line segment data storage unit 405.
5 overflows the line data buffer 5
A set of line segment data for one raster stored in the line data 05 is referred to as a “line segment data group” and a line segment data auxiliary buffer 507 is used.
Move to

The method of storing the line segment data and the process of obtaining the printed matter are the same as in the first embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various applications are possible. For example, the printing apparatus may be a sublimation type thermal transfer system, or a magneto-optical disk device or a tape drive device may be used instead of the hard disk drive.

[0093]

As is apparent from the above description,
According to the present invention, both the first storage device (semiconductor storage device) and the second storage device (external storage device) use the drawable area information included in the data sent from the computer or the like as clipping line segment data. By remembering
The required capacity of the first storage device can be reduced, and a print control device capable of obtaining high-definition and high-quality printed matter can be provided at low cost.

Further, the graphic designated by the vector data in the data received from the computer or the like is temporarily divided into a trapezoid and stored. At the time of this storage, the control means stores the divided trapezoidal data using both the first storage device (semiconductor storage device) and the second storage device (external storage device). Therefore, even if the trapezoidal data becomes enormous, it can be stored in the second storage device, so that the memory capacity of the first storage device can be reduced, and a print control device capable of obtaining high-definition and high-quality printed matter can be manufactured at a low cost. Can be provided.

The short vector data group is stored using both the first storage device (semiconductor storage device) and the second storage device (external storage device). Therefore, even if the shot vector data group becomes enormous, it can be stored in the second storage device, so that the memory capacity of the first storage device can be reduced, and a high-definition, high-quality printed matter can be obtained. Can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a connection between a print control device and an external device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a print control device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an interface control circuit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an internal block diagram of the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a procedure for interpreting a command group and developing it into print data in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data structure stored in a clipping line segment data main storage unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between the clipping line segment data main storage unit and the clipping line segment data auxiliary storage unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example showing an order relationship of a target graphic in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a method of storing clipping line segment data in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a data structure stored in a drawing line segment data storage unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state of clipping on a raster performed in a work area in the first embodiment and drawing line segment data generated as a result.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a method of storing drawing line segment data in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a buffer for configuring print data in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for configuring one raster into print data in the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of a procedure for interpreting a command group in the second embodiment, storing the command group in a trapezoidal data storage unit, and developing the data into print data.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams showing a data structure stored in a trapezoidal data storage unit in the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a target graphic in the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an outline of a method of storing trapezoidal data in the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of conversion to line segment data in a certain raster in the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of a procedure for interpreting a command group in the embodiment and developing the command group into print data.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams illustrating an example showing an order relationship of a target graphic in the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a Bezier curve.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a division approximation method of the Bezier curve.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of short vector expansion processing in the third embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram of vector data input as print data in the third embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram in which the vector data of FIG. 25 is approximated by short vector data.

FIG. 27 is a data structure diagram of a short vector storage area in the third embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating conversion from a Bezier curve to line segment data.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a short vector expansion process in a conventional print control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Computer 200 ... Inkjet printer 300 ... Printing control device 320 ... Short vector data approximation program 321 ... First short vector storage area 322 ... Second short vector storage area 401 ... Command interpreter 402 ... Command execution part 403 ... Command dictionary section 404 ... Work area 405 ... Drawing line data storage section 406 ... Print data development section 407 ... Clip line data storage section 408 ... Main storage section of clipping line data storage section 409 ... Clip line data storage section Auxiliary storage unit 410: trapezoidal data storage unit 411: trapezoidal data main storage unit 412: trapezoidal data auxiliary storage unit

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Kawai 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside Brother Industries, Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Saka 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Brother Industries, Ltd. Inside (72) Inventor Ryohei Komiya Inside Brother Industries, Ltd. 15-1, Nashiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (56) References JP-A-62-232027 (JP, A) JP-A-3-164277 (JP, A) JP-A-63-286982 (JP, A) JP-A-2-166497 (JP, A) JP-A-3-108568 (JP, A) JP-A-3-136878 (JP, A) Kaihei 3-248194 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 5/30 G09G 5/24

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A first storage device for storing received drawing command data, processing process data, and the like; and a second storage device for storing data immediately before printing and outputting, and a drawing area from the drawing command data. It generates clipping data indicating a drawable area based on a clipping command specifying a shape, generates two-dimensional raster image data based on the clipping data, and processes a drawing command in the drawing command data. A print control device that masks two-dimensional raster image data based on the clipping data and prints and outputs the two-dimensional raster image data based on the two types of raster image data. To convert to clipping line data consisting of Data conversion means; and control means for controlling the clipping line segment data generated by the clipping line segment data conversion means to be selectively stored in the first storage device or the second storage device. A print control device characterized by the above-mentioned. A first storage device for storing received drawing command data and processing process data; and a second storage device for storing data immediately before printing and outputting, wherein vector data in the drawing command data is used. The specified figure is divided into convex polygons, processing such as filling and clipping is performed on the divided convex polygons, and the data subjected to the processing such as filling is converted into line segment data. A print control apparatus that generates raster image data based on minute data and outputs the generated raster image data to a printing apparatus, wherein the print control apparatus stores the convex polygon data divided into convex polygons in the first storage device or the second storage device. A printing control device comprising a control means for selectively storing the information in a device. 3. A drawing device comprising: a first storage device for storing received drawing command data and processing process data; and a second storage device for storing data immediately before printing output, wherein the drawing command data includes vector data. A print control device that approximately divides the represented curve into a short vector data group consisting of a short straight line group, generates raster image data based on the short vector data group, and outputs the generated raster image data to a printing device. And a control unit for selectively storing the short vector data group approximately divided into the first storage device or the second storage device.