JP2884876B2 - 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 printing control device for developing data into raster image data in a printing device that prints data created by a computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of printer device (printing device), a capacity of one page of two-dimensional raster image data to be printed is allocated to a semiconductor memory device in a print control device and transmitted from a computer. The raster image data is developed in the storage area based on data such as character codes. Here, the raster image data refers to image data created to correspond to individual pixels included in a print width of one line. When a plurality of figures (for example, a circle and a rectangle) appear overlapping when developing the raster image data, the same area is rewritten many times in the order of appearance.

After completion of the development, the printing mechanism of the printer device is started, and the raster image data thus developed is output to the printing mechanism to print one page.

[0004]

However, in recent years,
Since 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, not only the cost of the device due to the increase in the cost of the semiconductor storage device, but also the power consumption and the semiconductor Due to restrictions such as the electric driving ability and the upper limit of the amount of data that can be handled by the CPU, it has even been impossible to actually manufacture a printer device. Further, when it is desired to print a large print output, the capacity of the semiconductor memory device has been increased.

[0005] Further, it takes a very long time to develop raster image data in such a huge amount of semiconductor storage devices (memory). For example, when printing an A4-size print output, 1-bit data per pixel is required as in a conventional black-and-white laser printer. If the resolution is about 12 pixels / mm, one semiconductor memory device is required. It was about a megabyte. However, an output size of A0, a resolution of 12 pixels / mm, and 16.7 million colors per pixel (24 bits / pixel) require at least 500 megabytes of memory, dramatically increase the cost and development time of the device, and make it practical. An available device could not be manufactured.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has been made in order to reduce the amount of semiconductor memory devices and to perform large-scale, high-resolution, high-quality printing at high speed. It is intended to provide a device.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a printing control apparatus according to the present invention stores a predetermined unit of memory in one dot.
And the dots included in the print width for one line.
The area composed of the objects is defined as one raster, and the graphic information data created by a computer or the like is used for each raster.
A line controller for converting graphic information data received from a computer or the like into line segment data having a position and length in a raster direction, in a print control device for converting raster image data for printing corresponding to each dot ; Raster image data converting means for converting the line segment data converted by the line segment data converting means into raster image data, wherein the raster image data converting means includes the graphic information from the computer or the like.
Figure after printing determined by the data receiving order
Contrary to the visual overwrite order of the shape,
Based on the graphic information data corresponding to the graphic whose
Means for first performing a conversion process from the line segment data,
Count the number of dots converted for one raster
Counting means, and for each dot constituting one raster
Recording means for recording information as to whether or not the conversion process has been performed;
Conversion processing based on information recorded by the recording means
Only for the dots for which
To perform conversion processing on the line segment data for
Conversion processing means and the number of dots counted by the counting means
Until has reached the total number of dots that make up one raster,
Conversion processing for the raster by the conversion processing means
And the counted number of dots constitutes one raster.
After the total number of dots to be processed is reached,
Without causing the conversion process for the raster,
Conversion processing by the conversion processing means for the next raster
And a conversion processing control means for performing the processing .

[0008]

In the printing control apparatus, the line segment data converting means receives graphic information data from a computer or the like and sequentially stores the graphic information data in the storage device. When the interpretation of all data is completed, the raster image data conversion means
The line segment data stored in the storage device is read out in the reverse order of the storage order (that is, read out from new line segment data), and is converted into raster image data having a width of several rasters. Store in device. This conversion processing is performed for each raster by the conversion processing means.
The raster image data conversion means includes a conversion processing control means.
With conversion processing counted by the counting means
The total number of dots has reached the total number of dots that make up one raster
Rasters that are subject to conversion, depending on whether
Continue the conversion processing by the conversion processing means in
The conversion process control means
Control. First, the change counted by the counting means
The total number of dots whose replacement has been performed constitutes one raster.
If the number has not been reached, the conversion processing control means
The conversion processing is performed by the conversion processing means. Conversion process
The columns constitute one raster recorded by the recording means.
Based on whether or not conversion processing has been performed for each dot
Has been processed or has not been processed
It determines whether there are, the dot is determined to be unprocessed
Only the line segment data for the raster
Perform the conversion process. However, if you have already
For the dots determined to be
The conversion process is not performed even for dots corresponding to data. This
As a result, in the overlapping area to the semiconductor memory device,
Data is not stored and the time required for the conversion process is short.
Contracted. Next, the conversion process counted by the counting means
Number of dots that have already reached the total number of dots that make up one raster
In this case, the conversion processing control means performs the conversion processing.
The conversion process for the raster
The raster processing of the next stage
To perform a conversion process. That is, the counting by the counting means
When the value is equal to the number of dots for the print width, the raster
When the conversion process to all the constituent dots is completed
Means that the conversion processing means
Even if there is line segment data to be performed,
Data is not treated as a conversion target. Therefore, the recording means
Conversion for each dot constituting one recorded raster
Conversion processing based on information on whether processing has been performed has been processed
Is not even determined, and the raster
All conversion processing is interrupted and the next raster
Move on to the conversion process. Therefore, the time required for the conversion process
Is the data in the overlapping area to the semiconductor memory device.
Not only the time required to store the data, but also the
Time, including the time required to determine whether
Will be greatly reduced. The present invention
In FIG. 7, the line segment data (FIG. 7) that overlaps with the part previously converted to raster image data
The raster image data processing is not performed for the reference numerals 601 and 602 and the overlapping part of the reference numeral 603). Printing is performed based on the raster image data that has undergone such processing.

[0009]

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, FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an external connection of an 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, referring to FIG.
00 will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, a first interface connector 3 to which data is input from a computer 100
01 is connected to the first interface circuit 303 that receives the data. Similarly, a second interface circuit 350 is connected to the second interface connector 302 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 includes a first dynamic memory 306 for storing data, a third interface circuit 307 for interfacing with the hard disk drive 309, and a second interface circuit 307 to be described later.
A first port of a dual-port memory 308 having two ports for communicating with the CPU 310 and capable of accessing the same memory cell from both ports, a DMA for performing direct memory transfer between the devices.
C314 is 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. 2, illustration of various control signals such as an address bus and a chip select signal is omitted.

The structure of the second interface circuit 350 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first-in first-out memory device (hereinafter, referred to as FIFO) 35 is provided so that data can be written from the first CPU 305 or the like.
One data input terminal is connected to the first bus 313.
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. Read signal 35 of the FIFO 351
9 and a control circuit 354 for generating a data clock signal 356 output to the second interface connector 302 via the driver 352, and a clock signal 360 for controlling the timing of the control circuit 354. 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, the interface connector 201 is connected to a receiver 202 for inputting the input data and the data clock signal 221 to the data input terminal of the FIFO 205 and the interface control circuit 204. The interface connector 201 is connected to a driver 203 for outputting a ready signal 220 and an offline signal 231 generated by the interface control circuit 204. 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.

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 apparatus 300 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

Upon receiving a command group to be printed from the computer 100, the first CPU 305 (see FIG. 2)
First, the command group is stored in the hard disk drive 309. At this time, since the command group is received without interpretation, the computer 100 can be released from the communication quickly, and since the command group is stored in the hard disk drive 309, the capacity of the dynamic memory 306 for storing the command group can be reduced. Computer 100 (see FIG. 1)
When all the command groups from the first CPU 30 are input, the first CPU 30
5 writes a command instructing the second CPU 310 to interpret the command group in the dual port memory 308.

On the other hand, when the second CPU 310 receives the command, the second CPU 310
9 is written to the dual port memory 308 so as to instruct the first CPU 305 to read from the memory 9 and write to the dual port memory 308. When the command group is written to the dual port memory 308, the second CPU 310
Starts its interpretation 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 showing the interpretation of a command group and the development of print data.

As shown in FIG. 5, a command interpreting unit 401, a command executing unit 402, a command dictionary unit 403 constituting the "line segment data converting means", and a print data expanding unit 406 constituting the "raster image converting means". Is
On the second dynamic memory 311 (see FIG. 1),
It is sequentially executed by the second CPU 310. Here, the command interpreting unit 401 decomposes the arriving command group one by one, checks whether or not the arriving command group is a valid command in the command dictionary 403, and checks the work area 404.
, The command group arriving under the control of the command execution unit 402 is interpreted and line segment data is created.

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. The position information of the converted line segment data and bit image data is stored in the line segment data storage unit 405. The line segment data storage unit 405 is distributed and exists in the second dynamic memory 311 and the hard disk drive 309 as described later.

FIG. 6A shows the data structure of line segment data stored in the line segment data storage unit 405 (see FIG. 5).
FIG. 6A 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. 6A, one line segment data D includes an image flag bit 501 for determining whether the data is "vector data" or "bit image data", a start point position 502 at which data starts to exist, and , And the end point position 503 of the end of the existence of the data, and the line value data having four fields of the color value 504 for determining the colors such as red and green. The line segment data D 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 use efficiency of the line segment data buffer 505 and the position of an empty area, and the auxiliary buffer management information 508 contains connection information indicating whether line segment data can be written in the line segment data buffer 505. Hold.

FIG. 7A shows an example of the order relation on the second dynamic memory 311 of a graphic to be output.

As shown in FIG. 7A, in the order of command generation, bit image data 601 such as a photograph, a rectangle 602 and a circle 603 corresponding to vector data, and a new figure (for example, a circle 603) Since the old graphic (for example, the bit image data 601) is overwritten, the underlying graphic (for example, the bit image data 601) does not appear transparent. here,
Is indicates an image start point position of the bit image data 601, Ie indicates an image end point position, and Ic is an image ID indicating the appearance order of each bit image data. Also, Cs is the start point position of the circle 603, Ce is the end point position, and Cc is the color value of the circle. Furthermore, Rs
Is the start point position of the rectangle 602, Re is the end point position, and Rc is the color value of the rectangle.

FIG. 7B shows line segment data 604 of the various figures in a given raster i.

As shown in FIG. 7B, in the case of "vector data", taking the circle 603 as an example, the same color value Cc is continuous from the starting point Cs to the ending point Ce. If the value is held, the storage capacity can be reduced.
On the other hand, in the “bit image data 601”, there is a low possibility that dots having the same color value continue. Therefore, when converted to line segment data, the data amount increases. In order to solve such a problem, in this embodiment, an image flag bit 501 (see FIG. 6A) is provided, and only the position information where the bit image data is arranged and the image ID (code Ic) are used as the line segment data D. And the bit image data is separated and held. That is, the line segment data is held in the semiconductor memory device (second dynamic memory 311), and the bit image data is held separately in the external memory device (hard disk drive 309). This separation makes it possible to efficiently hold "vector data" and "bit image data", and does not require special handling of bit image data until the development of print data described later, thereby simplifying processing. Help.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic flowchart of a method for storing line segment data.

First, by referring to the buffer management information 506 holding the use efficiency of the line segment data buffer 505 (see FIG. 6) and the position of the free area (step S701), the line segment data can be written into the line segment data buffer 505. It is determined whether or not (step S702). If writing is not possible due to buffer fullness, reference is made to the auxiliary buffer management information 508 that holds the utilization efficiency of the line segment data auxiliary buffer 507 (see FIG. 6B) and the connection information with the line segment data buffer 505 ( Step S703), a part of the contents of the line segment data buffer is transferred to the line segment data
7 (step S704), and updates the auxiliary buffer management information (step S705). Next, the line segment data is written into the line segment data buffer 505 (Step S).
706), and updates the buffer management information (step S7)
07). Note that the line segment data auxiliary buffer 507 is arranged on the hard disk drive 309, and is stored in step S7.
In 05, 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 1/100 of that of a semiconductor memory for a hard disk. By using a semiconductor memory and a hard disk together and optimizing the data transfer unit,
A large-capacity, low-cost buffer can be realized without a significant speed reduction.

When the above interpretation is completed for all the command groups, the second CPU 310 sets the dual port memory 3
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 stored in a line segment data buffer 505.
The “vector data” stored in the line segment data auxiliary buffer 507 and the “bit image data” stored in the hard disk drive 507 are reconstructed. The reconfiguration procedure has been previously transferred to the second dynamic memory 311 for interpreting the command group, and is executed by the second CPU 310.

Next, a method of forming print data will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the configuration of the print data. FIG. 10 is a buffer on the second dynamic memory 311 for configuring the print data. The buffer 801 stores the print data, the dot flag column 802, and the 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, the dot flag row 802, and the dot counter 803 are initialized (step S901). 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 print width (step S905).

Next, the dot flag corresponding to the current dot pointer is checked (step S906), and 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, the step S902 and the step S9 are performed to develop the print data of “line segment data”.
05 and two end conditions, but step S902 is a case where there is no line segment data 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 but "line segment data" remains. In this state, the remaining line segment data is hidden under the new line segment data like a rectangle 602, and there is no need to expand the data. Therefore, unnecessary processing is not performed, which contributes to speeding up of the expansion processing. Although not described in detail, steps S902 and S90
At 8, the data is read from the hard disk drive 309. In step S902, the necessary line segment data is read from the line segment data auxiliary buffer.
At 908, the bit image data separated from the line segment data is read.

The first CPU 305 (see FIG. 2) stores the expanded data in the dynamic memory 207,
The DMAC 314 is instructed to write the expanded data to the second interface circuit 350. At this time, the required capacity of the dynamic memory is at least the data amount of one raster, which can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where one page of expanded data is provided. DMAC 314 is F
When the FIFO 351 becomes full, the writing is interrupted and the FIFO
When O351 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 310.
The data can be transferred from the hard disk drive 309 to the other side, 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. DMAC314
When the expanded data is written to the FIFO 351 by
The data is sent to the inkjet printer 200 and sent to the CPU
206 temporarily stores the data in the dynamic memory 207.

Further, the CPU 206 sequentially stores only the cyan data component in the data memory 212 for one raster, and instructs the data readout control circuit 208 to print one raster when the storage 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 the raster printing is sequentially stopped from cyan until the end of the print data.
64 can be printed in full color. At this time, the capacity required for the dynamic memory 207 in the inkjet printer 200 is the sum of the memory capacity for storing the interval between the heads, which is extremely small for the raster image memory for one page. The same printed matter can be obtained with the memory amount.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various applications are possible. For example, if the printing apparatus is a raster scanning apparatus, it may be a sublimation thermal transfer printing apparatus or a video display apparatus, or a magneto-optical disk apparatus or a tape drive apparatus may be used instead of the hard disk drive.

[0049]

As is apparent from the above description,
According to the present invention, instead of developing data on a raster image memory for one page, a print command is first converted into line segment data, and printing is performed while sequentially developing the data. The amount can be significantly reduced,
Therefore, a print control device capable of obtaining high-definition and high-quality printed matter can be configured at low cost. Also, the overlapping figure
For information on converting shapes to raster image data, see Convert
High speed because conversion is performed only for unprocessed dots
Processing becomes possible. In particular, all the constituents of one raster
When conversion processing is performed on dots, the conversion processing
Even if there is line segment data that has not been
Even if there is line data in the middle of processing,
Interrupts all conversion processing for the next raster
Since all conversion processes are performed, data is stored in the semiconductor storage device.
Converted dots as well as the time required for delivery
The time required to determine whether or not
Required for converting line segment data to raster image data
Can be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a print control device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an interface control circuit in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an internal block diagram of the ink jet printer in the embodiment.

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

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a data structure stored in a line segment data storage unit in the embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing examples showing the order relation of target graphics in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of a method of storing line segment data in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for configuring one raster into print data in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a buffer for configuring print data in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Computer 200 ... Inkjet printer 300 ... Printing control device 401 ... Command interpretation part (line segment data conversion means) 402 ... Command execution part (line segment data conversion means) 403 ... Command dictionary part (line segment data conversion means) 404 ... Work area (line segment data conversion unit) 405: line segment data storage unit 406: print data development unit (raster image data conversion unit)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kosuke Fukaya 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside Brother Industries, Ltd. (72) Inventor Jun Kawai 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture No. Brother Industries, Ltd. (56) References JP-A-3-252719 (JP, A) JP-A-3-104666 (JP, A) JP-A-63-286927 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 5/30 B41J 2/485 B41J 21/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] When a predetermined unit of a memory is one dot,
Is composed of dots included in the print width for one line.
Area is defined as one raster, and graphic information data created by a computer or the like is converted into individual dots for each raster.
A print control device for converting the image data into a corresponding raster image data for printing; a line segment data converting means for converting graphic information data received from a computer or the like into line segment data having a position and a length in a raster direction; Raster image data converting means for converting the line segment data converted by the data converting means into raster image data, wherein the raster image data converting means receives the graphic information data from the computer or the like.
Visual appearance of the figure after printing determined by the introductory
The figure in which the overwriting order is later than the writing order
The line segment data based on the graphic information data corresponding to the shape
This is a means for performing conversion processing first, and counts the number of dots that have been converted for one raster.
Counting means, and perform conversion processing for each dot constituting one raster
Recording means for recording information as to whether or not the recording has been performed; and converting processing based on the information recorded by the recording means.
Only for the dots for which
To perform conversion processing on the line segment data for
Conversion processing means, and the number of dots counted by the counting means is one raster.
Until the total number of constituent dots is reached, the conversion processing means
The conversion process for the raster by
The total number of dots that make up one raster when the number of counted dots is one
After reaching, the raster by the conversion processing means
The next raster without the conversion process
For performing the conversion processing by the conversion processing means.
A print control device, comprising: a conversion control unit.