JP2989778B2 - Print control apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a print control apparatus and method.
Method, more specifically, pattern expansion of input information in segment units
Printing control device and method for outputting to a printing means
It is. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a typical example of this type of apparatus,
Is a laser beam printer or the like. This printing device
Has an image memory for one page and an image signal generation circuit.
Data is generated by the CPU that controls the entire device.
Data input from a source (host computer etc.)
Convert to sequential image pattern and save to this image memory
Was. Finally, input and change data for one page
When the conversion process is completed, the control is transferred to the image signal generation circuit.
And converts the image for one page into an image signal suitable for the printing mechanism
I was printing. [0003] However, the above-mentioned
In the conventional example, this image memory stores one page of image data.
After the data is expanded, image signals are generated until printing is completed.
Image of the next page of data because it was occupied by the circuit
Writing to memory takes place until the printing of the previous page is completed.
I can't. For this reason, the printing mechanism itself is capable of continuous high-speed printing.
Printing speed is extremely low
There was a downside. In order to overcome this drawback, an image memo
Two pages, one of which is occupied by the image generation circuit.
While the next page is in the other image memory.
Writing is also conceivable. However, recent projects
Since linters require high-quality printing,
The printing density is increasing. Therefore, one page of image memory
The memory capacity for a page alone is enormous,
If two pages are provided, the size of the device will increase and the cost will increase.
Problem still remains. According to the present invention, the output memory has a capacity of one page.
Print data that has a small capacity before
A page buffer to store data for multiple pages,
The image for the next page is stored in the memory already output to the print unit.
By performing image development, printing can be performed at high speed.
Stores the received print data in each page buffer
The position specified by the print position specification code
By storing in the segment area in the page buffer,
Memory management so that image expansion can be performed in segment units
By doing so, you can smoothly develop the image,
Printing control device that enables high-speed printing
And a method. [0006] The present invention has been made to solve this problem.
Therefore, for example, the print control apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.
I can. In other words, specify the print position received from the external device
Generated based on the print data containing the control code
According to the image data, the image
Printing system that prints the image corresponding to the data by the printing unit
A plurality of control devices, each of which is divided for each printing area position.
Multiple page buffers with segment areas and receive
The print data is analyzed to determine the print position,
The print data received based on the position is stored in the print data
The corresponding position in the page buffer that is waiting to be delivered
Storage means for allocating and storing in a segment area of
In the page buffer waiting for image development
Read the print data from the first head segment area,
Output image data generated based on the print data.
The development of the segment in the memory for
Is performed sequentially for each segment area in the storage buffer.
Image for expanding output image data for page
Image developing means and one page developed by the image developing means.
Page of output image data to the printing unit
Output to the printing unit in the output memory
The image for the next page buffer in the
Control means for executing the developing means. [0007] An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below.
This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. <Schematic Description of Apparatus (FIG. 1)> FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the printing apparatus 101 according to the embodiment. still,
The printing apparatus 101 according to the embodiment is a laser beam printer.
It will be described as a printer, but since it can be applied to other printers,
The present invention is not limited to this. Well, below
Each configuration will be described. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a host as a data source
A computer 102 controls the entire apparatus 101.
CPU. 103 is the host computer 100
An input interface circuit for inputting these data
104 is a program (flows of FIGS. 3 and 4 described later).
A program ROM in which a chart is stored;
The CPU 102 performs a control operation according to this program.
Reference numeral 105 denotes a work RAM, and a work RAM of the CPU 102.
Work area, an area for storing various flags, and further below
And an area for storing various pointers and the like.
106 stores patterns corresponding to various character symbol codes
Character font memory, which is composed of ROM
Have been. Reference numeral 107 denotes an image medium corresponding to one printing sheet.
The character that corresponds to the input character code
The symbol patterns are sequentially stored in the image memory 107.
You. 108a and 108b are scan batts, respectively.
Forming a grubbuffer;
Outputs an image signal to a printing mechanism 111 described later.
And the other scan buffer uses the next image data
Used to enter. In addition, these switching is performed by the CPU.
With signals output from 102 to control lines C1 and C1 '
Controlled. Reference numeral 109 denotes a scan buffer 108.
Output image data is input from one of a and b, and the output image signal is output.
An image signal generator that generates a signal
When the output of the image signal is completed (the output
CPU) via the control line C2.
An interrupt signal is generated at 102. Also, this interrupt
The CPU 102 determines whether or not to generate a single signal on the signal line C3.
Based on the signal (interrupt enable signal) output from
Only when this signal is ON.
It is designed to generate an interruption signal. Also, 110
Output for outputting an output image signal to the printing mechanism unit 111
An interface circuit, which is also controlled by the CPU 102.
It operates according to the control (control line C4). The printing mechanism 111 is a laser beam type
ON / OFF of the output image signal
Receiving the state (binary signal), the laser diode emits light
Forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum (not shown)
Then, an image is formed. Note that the output image signal is
A log signal or multi-level signal that forms a multi-tone image
It doesn't matter if you do it. <Description of Printing Outline (FIG. 2)>
Before explaining the outline of the printing process,
(The laser beam printer was explained earlier.)
The output paper size handled in 101 is A4 size,
The total number of pixels in the vertical direction is W dots, and the total number of pixels in the vertical direction is L dots.
I do. That is, the capacity of the image memory 107 is at least
It has a capacity of W × L bits (= W × L / 8 bytes). Change
Next, each character pattern is developed in the image memory 107.
Position (this position information is stored in the
Is stored), but the origin is at the upper left corner in the figure.
The description will be made with the horizontal axis X and the vertical axis Y. Now, an outline of the printing process in the above-described configuration.
Will be described below. FIG. 2 shows the working RAM 105 and the phone.
Memory 106, image memory 107, and scan buffer
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an alternating relationship between a and b. In the figure, reference numerals 200 and 201 both denote a working RA.
This is the expansion pointer provided in M105.
Character pattern (the size of this pattern in the embodiment)
The dimensions are all horizontal X0 and vertical Y for ease of explanation.
0) is stored (the lower left position of the pattern)
Have been. 202 is also provided in the same memory.
A scan pointer (hereinafter referred to as SCP)
Ahead of image data output to Yanbuffer 108a, b
The head position (Y-axis value) is stored. Furthermore, SCE2
03 indicates the last position of this SCP.
Is "L" in this case, but expands the sent document information.
If you enter page break data while
The last position (“Y”) where the character pattern was developed is
You. In any case, SCP 202 reaches SCE 203
This means that the print output process for one page has been completed.
means. In such a relationship, for example, the character "A"
When expanding the code corresponding to
The pattern corresponding to the code is stored in the font memory 1
06 and indicated by expansion pointers 200 and 201
To the position (X, Y) in the image memory 107 to be
You. After this expansion process, change the value of Y until the end of the line.
Instead, the value of X is increased by X0. Hereinafter, the same processing
Repeating the above, if you enter a line feed control code
In this case, X is initialized (for example, "0"), and Y is set to Y0.
Increase by minutes. Also enter a page break control code.
When you have finished developing the image for one page or one page,
The value of “Y” in the expansion pointer at the time of
And the expansion pointers 200 and 201 (sun
That is, the values of X and Y are initialized (X ← “0”, Y ← “Y0”).
In this manner, the image memory 107
When the image development for one page is completed, finally the image
A signal generator 109, an output interface circuit 110,
And print mechanism 111, and interrupt
Also turn on the cable signal (control line C3) and execute print processing
Let it. Then, as described above, the image signal generator 1
09, an interrupt signal is received.
For example, in the scan buffer 108a, the SCP2
The image of one line indicated by 02 is transferred. image
The signal generator 109 sequentially starts from the scan buffer 108b.
Input the image data and send the image signal (laser diode).
(A light emission signal of the output interface) and output interface 11
0 to the print mechanism unit 111. The above processing
Is output from the image signal generator 109 for one line.
Then, an interrupt signal is generated. At this time,
The alternate switching of the fans 108a, b is described above.
Was. When an image is formed by the above processing,
At least in the SCP 202 of the image memory 107
The area before one line indicated by is already used for image formation
Since the data has already been output, the data for the next page
Input characters and expand the character / symbol pattern.
No. Therefore, in this embodiment, the image of the previous page is output.
The next document image in the previous area
I did it. However, in the embodiment, the expansion pointer 200,
The coordinate position (X, Y) indicated by 201 is
As shown in the lower left, it is necessary to satisfy the following inequality
There is. That is, Y <SCP + Y0 <Explanation of the processing procedure (FIGS. 3 and 4)>
The processing procedure of the CPU 102 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Become a flow chart. FIG. 3 shows the main flow chart.
FIG. 4 shows an interrupt processing routine. Less than
A description will be given below according to this flowchart. First, in step S1, various peripheral elements are reset.
Such as turning off the interrupt enable signal
Perform initialization. In the next step S2, the expansion pointer
The coordinate positions (X, Y) of 200 and 201 are set to initial values (0, Y
0), and "L +
1 ". For the sake of simplicity,
The open pointers 200 and 201 are simply referred to as X and Y.
You. Now, after the above processing is completed,
Proceeding to step S3, the host computer 100 downloads the data.
It will wait until the data is received. Received
Input data via the input interface 103.
Data (step S4), and respond to the data type.
First, a branch is determined (step S5). I. Character code input processing When it is determined that the input data is a character code
First, whether or not Y ≦ SCP + Y0, that is,
The pattern corresponding to the specified character code into X and Y
It is determined whether it is OK to do so. SCP at this point
Is satisfied, since “L + 1” is assigned to
Then, the process proceeds to the next step S7. Here, character code
Read the pattern corresponding to the code from the font memory 106.
Then, the data is expanded into X and Y, and X is incremented by X0 in step S8.
And update. Next, this updated X value is
It is determined whether or not (W-X0) is larger than (W-X0).
In this case, it is determined that there is still an area to be
Then, the process returns to step S3. Also satisfy this judgment
Sometimes, after all, you have to update the deployment position to the beginning of the next line
Therefore, the line feed code processing after step S10
Move on. Ii. Line feed processing Also, the data input in step S4 is a line feed code.
If it is determined that there is, or X
If it is determined that the end of the line is exceeded, step S10 or less
Execute the line feed process. In step S10, Y ≦ SCP
+ Y0 is determined (same as step S6)
Therefore, the explanation is omitted), but if this judgment is YES,
Proceeding to step S11, "Y0" is incremented for Y at that time.
And set X to "0". Next, step S1
In step 2, it is determined whether or not Y> L.
I'm deciding whether or not the image has been expanded
Nothing else. If this judgment is NO, the line is still expanded
And returns to step S3, but for one page.
If it is determined that the development has been completed, the process proceeds to step S14.
Then, "L" is substituted into SCE 203, and step S15 is performed.
Execute the following page break processing. Iii. Page break processing On the other hand, the data input in step S4 indicates a page break.
If the control code is judged to be tasted,
Move to S13 and substitute the previous value of Y for SCE203
Let it. In step S15, S
Initialize CP 202 and X to “0” and set Y to
Set to "Y0". Next, the printing process will be executed.
First, clear the scan buffers 108a and 108b.
(Step S17) and start the printer (Step S17).
18) After that, finally the scan interrupted rice
Turn on the cable signal (control line C3) and execute print processing
Let it. Iv. Interrupt processing When the interrupt enable signal is turned on, the image signal
The generator 109 is one of the scan buffers 108a and 108b.
Output image signal for one line to the printing mechanism 111
Outputs an interrupt signal to CPU 102 each time power is completed
I do. The CPU 102 receives this interrupt signal.
Each time, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed. That is, in step S30, the current selection is made.
For switching the scanning buffers 108a and 108b
The signal is output to C1 and C1 ', and the flow advances to step S31.
In step S31, the current position indicated by the SCP 202 is set.
Reads one line of image data from
Transfer to one side of the scan. At this time, the image
The signal generator 109 is the other selected
Receiving a beam detect signal (not shown) from the
Input the image data and generate the image signal.
Output to the printing mechanism unit 111. Also, step
The line in the image memory 107 transferred in S32 is transferred
Since it has been completed, it is cleared, and in the next step S33, the SCP
Is decremented by "1". In the next step S34
Is that the updated SCP 202 is larger than the SCE 203
Whether or not, that is, processing of one page is completed
It is determined whether or not. If this determination is NO,
Return from main processing to main processing, but if YES
Once, turn off the interrupt enable signal once and
Return. In the processing described above, the image memo
When an image for one page is stored in
The image for forming is read out, and the reading
Expand the image on the next page to the already issued free area
The time required for the printing process can be reduced.
You. Further, the image memory is read to form an image.
At least until the line position reaches the last line
Does not load the next image into image memory, so
Speed can be further improved. [Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention (FIGS. 5 to 9)] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described as a second embodiment.
explain. <Description of Configuration (FIGS. 5 and 6)> In the above-described embodiment, the host computer 100
Each time one data (character code) is input,
A process in which a turn is generated and developed in the image memory 107
However, the present invention is not limited to this. example
If the code data received from the host computer 100 is
A page buffer memory for storing two pages of data
An example of processing will be described below as a preferred embodiment.
In the second embodiment, the direction of the character string and the printing direction
One segment of image memory, regardless of its relationship to
Print mechanism for pattern data that has been developed into an area
And other cells that have finished outputting the pattern data.
Of the next page segment into the segment area
And are executed in parallel. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration at this time.
Reference numeral 112 in the figure denotes this page buffer memory. still,
Other components (100 'to 111' in the figure) are shown in FIG.
Since it corresponds to 100 to 111 in
Although the description is omitted, the program ROM 104 'will be described later.
7 and 8 and the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above.
Is stored. FIG. 6 shows a page buffer 112 and a work memo.
The relationship with the file 105 'is shown below, and its contents will be described below.
You. 200 'and 201' in the page buffer 112 are husbands
Each page can store character code for one page
Page buffers, each buffer 200 ', 201'
Is a page statuser that stores each status information
Switches 202a 'and b' are provided. This page
Itas stores the following two pieces of status information. "Waiting for output": character code for one page, etc.
Has been completed, and the image memory 10
Waiting for pattern development processing to 7 '. "Waiting for input": character code for one page, etc.
Is converted to character patterns, etc.
The state in which the expansion processing to the memory 107 'has been completed,
That is, data is input from the host computer 100 '.
It is in the state of waiting for being done. Now, the page buffer 2 in the embodiment will be described.
00 'and 201' are four regions (segment
1 to 4), and each segment has 1
Data of 1/4 of the number of lines per page is stored. Soshi
The expansion of the input data to the image memory 107 '
It is converted into a pattern for each segment and expanded. 2
04 'is an input page pointer, which is an input interface.
Storage destination of the data obtained through the source circuit 103 '.
Information indicating the page buffer and the coordinate position
Has been delivered. 205 'is an output page pointer,
Next, the character code data to be developed in the image memory 107 'is
Information indicating the stored page buffer,
The segment pointer 206 'stores the segment number.
It is something to pay. 207 'and 208' are image
Expansion pointer indicating the coordinate position to be expanded to the memory 107 '
209 'is a field where the expansion of print characters has been designated.
Pointer for storing information in the case where
Pointer. <Explanation of Pattern Development Processing (FIG. 7)>
The processing of the embodiment in the above configuration will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.
This will be explained according to the chart. First, in step S401, the step in FIG.
The same initialization processing as in step S1 is performed, and the next step S40 is performed.
In 2, the status information of each page buffer is viewed. output
If it is in the waiting state, the process proceeds to the next step S403, and the output is performed.
Last segment from page pointer, segment pointer
J (segment 4). Segume
If the client number is equal to or less than "4", control is passed to step S40.
4 and the scan pointer 300 '(hereinafter, S
The position indicated by CP300 ') is the next segment.
Whether or not the value is a value that can be stored by patterning the whole
Judge. If this determination is YES,
Code in the segment corresponding to steps S405 to S407
Read all data and convert to pattern one after another
To the image memory 107 '. Each sentence
When developing a character pattern, its development coordinates
Needs to be set to the beginning of the next line when
Become. At this time, the data is stored in the print designation pointer 209 '.
Is set (this processing will be described later).
Set the position to develop according to the information
You. On the other hand, if the determination in step S403 is YES,
, That is, beyond the last segment (1 page
Minutes pattern has been developed),
Proceed to step S409, where SCP 300 'is larger than "L".
It determines whether or not it is, and if this determination is YES, the next
The control moves to step S410. In step S410, prior to the actual image formation,
The SCP 300 'is set to "0" and the output page port is set.
The status in the page buffer indicated by the internet
Change to waiting for input, update output page pointer, etc.
In the following, the scan buffers 108a ', 108
b 'is cleared (step S411), the printing mechanism 11
Start 1 '(step S412), and finally split the scan
Turn on the write enable signal. The interrupt processing routine is described in the first embodiment.
The description is omitted because it is the same as the routine described in. <Description of Data Storage Processing (FIG. 8)>
File of the data input from the host computer 100 '
The storing process in the buffer 112 is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
It is explained according to the following. Note that the input interface circuit 1
03 'is assigned to the CPU 102' when data is received.
The processing shown in FIG.
This is a loading processing routine. In addition, this page buffer
Character code expanded to 112 is stored in sequential
Not the layout that is actually printed
That is, the position is specified by the number of lines and the number of columns).
Stored in the input page pointer 204 '.
According to the contents, either page buffer 200 'or 201'
Is selected and provided in the pointer 204 '.
Character code entered in location information (X, Y) in the specified storage location
Is stored. In addition, the position information to be expanded to this page buffer
Report (X, Y) to that of the expansion pointers 207 ', 208'
In the following description, as a storage pointer,
explain. In step S601, the input interface
Data is input from the face circuit 103 '. Entered
Is determined in the next step S602, and the type
Causes the process to branch. First, a print position designation command (for example, a vertical start position)
Position, horizontal start position, etc.)
In step S603, the information is stored in the print position designation pointer 20.
9 'to prepare for the next data reception. When the input data is a line feed code,
In step S604, X of the storage pointer is set to "0",
Is incremented by "1". Further, when it is determined that the character code is used,
Moves to step S605, where the input page pointer 2
04 'is selected (step S60).
5) Then, the character code is set at the position indicated by the storage pointer.
Is stored (step S606). After storing,
Moving to step S607, X in the storage pointer is set to "1".
In the next step S620, X becomes the end of the line.
Judge whether or not it has exceeded
The process proceeds to step S604 to perform a line feed process. Further, the input data indicates a page break.
If the code is the same as that of the current
The status of the page buffer that is currently being stored
Is set to “waiting for output” and the input page
Update or reset the interface 204 'and its storage pointer
(Steps S609 and S610). As described above, according to the second embodiment,
If so, for example, as shown in FIG.
If the character string direction and print direction are not
Even if they do not match, one of the image memories 107 '
Of the pattern data expanded to the segment area
Output to printing mechanism 111 'and output of pattern data
Segment on the next page to another segment area that has finished
Can be executed in parallel with the
Become like Further, pattern development processing in this embodiment
In the scan direction and pattern extension shown in FIG.
Even if the opening direction intersects,
No longer scans unless the scene is deployed
Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation that would cause a decrease in printing speed.
I can do it. In the embodiment, a double-structure scan is used.
Using a buffer, the difference between the image memory and the image signal generator
Although the configuration is maintained as a blank, data for one scan
It is also possible to output directly to the image signal generator. Furthermore, the scan buffer of the present embodiment is
Prepared a memory for one scan.
One scan interrupt as a buffer for several scans
Can transfer several scans of image data.
This reduces the number of scan interrupts in one page
Process, which makes control program processing more efficient.
Can be measured. In this embodiment, characters are used as input data.
Although the code was handled, the present invention is not limited to this,
Coordinate data for image data and vector graphics
It can be applied to various forms of input data. As described above, according to the present invention, the output is
Even if the memory for power is only one page capacity,
Stores only a few pages of small print data before expansion
A page buffer for printing, and output the memo
High by performing image development on the next page
Prints quickly, and receives to each page buffer
When storing print data, the print position
The segment in the page buffer corresponding to the specified position
Image development by storing in the memory area
Image development can be facilitated by memory management so that
Can be moose and print faster
It will work. According to another aspect, the input information is stored in the second
Once stored in the storage means, and based on the stored input information.
To develop into the first storage means for pattern development
In this case, the character code in the input information is simply
Instead of storing it in the first storage means,
Character code belongs to any segment
And determine the vertical length of the character corresponding to that character code.
And in the second storage means according to the print position in the horizontal direction.
Therefore, regardless of the nature of the input information,
The input information will be sorted and memorized in the order,
Pattern development can be done smoothly, so faster marking
Can be printed. [0055]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between pointers in a working RAM and an image memory; 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU according to the first embodiment; 5 is a block diagram of the second embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between pointers in a working RAM and a page buffer memory in the second embodiment; 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the CPU according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a main routine of a second printer control program. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an image memory. Where the deployment process intersects the scan direction For explaining the processing contents of the second embodiment of the present invention, [Description of References] 100 Host computer 101 Printing device 102 CPU 103 Input interface circuit 104 Program ROM 105 Work RAM 106 Photo memory 107 Image memory 108a, b Scan buffer 109 Image generator 110 Output interface circuit 111 Printing mechanism 200, 201 Expansion pointer, pointer 202 Scan pointer (SCP) 203 SCE pointer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 21/00 B41J 2/44 B41J 5/30 G06F 3/12 H04N 1/21

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A print control device for printing, by a printing unit, an image corresponding to the image data on a predetermined recording medium according to image data generated based on print data including a control code specifying a print position received from an external device. A plurality of page buffers having a plurality of segment areas divided for each print area position; and analyzing the received print data to determine a print position, and receiving the print data based on the print position. Storage means for allocating and storing the segment area at the corresponding position in the page buffer waiting for storage, and reading the print data from the first leading segment area in the page buffer waiting for image development,
The image data generated based on the print data is sequentially expanded in the output memory for each segment area in the page buffer.
Image developing means for developing output image data for a page; and printing in the output memory when output image data for one page developed by the image developing means is output to the printing unit. And a control unit for executing the image developing unit for the next page buffer in the area already output to the unit. 2. According to image data generated based on print data including a control code designating a print position received from an external device, an image corresponding to the image data is printed by a printing unit on a predetermined recording medium, and for each area position to be printed A print control apparatus having a plurality of page buffers each having a plurality of segment areas divided into a plurality of segment areas, the print control apparatus analyzing a received print data to determine a print position, and receiving the print data based on the print position. Storing the print data in the corresponding segment area in the page buffer waiting to store print data, and printing from the first leading segment area in the page buffer waiting to be developed. Read data,
The image data generated based on the print data is sequentially expanded in the output memory for each segment area in the page buffer.
An image expanding step of expanding output image data for a page; and outputting the one-page output image data expanded in the image expanding step to the printing unit, the printing in the output memory. A control step of executing the image developing step for the next page buffer in the area already output to the copy unit. 3. A print control apparatus for outputting pattern data developed in a first storage means having a plurality of segment areas to a printing means, comprising: outputting pattern data of one segment area to the printing means; and outputting the pattern data. A printing control device capable of executing in parallel the next segment pattern development to another segment area that has been completed, converting means for converting input information into segment unit information, and converting the segment unit information into a plurality of pages. A second storage unit capable of separately storing the information; and a development unit for performing pattern development on the segment unit information stored in the second storage unit in the first storage unit, wherein the conversion unit has a character code in the input information. If the character code is included, a determination unit that determines, for each character code, to which segment the character code belongs, Specifying means for specifying a vertical and horizontal printing position of a character corresponding to a character for each character code; and specifying the character code in association with the segment area determined by the determining means, and specifying the character code by the specifying means. The second and third printing positions in the vertical and horizontal directions.
A print control device, comprising: storage means for storing in a storage means. 4. The storage unit stores the character code in a storage position corresponding to the vertical and horizontal printing positions specified by the specifying unit, in an area of the second storage unit corresponding to the segment determined by the determination unit. 4. The print control device according to claim 3, wherein the print control device stores the print control information. 5. A method of outputting, to a printing unit, pattern data that has been subjected to pattern development in a first storage unit having a plurality of segment areas, comprising: outputting pattern data of one segment area to the printing unit; and outputting the pattern data. A print control method for executing the next segment pattern development to another segment area in parallel, wherein the input information is converted into segment unit information and stored in a second storage means capable of storing a plurality of pages. And converting the segment information stored in the second storage unit into a pattern in the first storage unit. The conversion step includes the steps of: A determination step of determining, for each character code, to which segment the character code belongs; A specifying step of specifying a vertical and horizontal printing position of the character for each character code; and the character code corresponding to the segment area determined in the determining step, and the vertical and horizontal positions specified in the specifying step. Storing the data in the second storage means in association with a print position in the horizontal direction. 6. The storing step stores the character code in a storage position corresponding to the vertical and horizontal printing positions specified by the specifying unit in an area of the second storage unit corresponding to the segment determined by the determining step. The print control method according to claim 5, wherein the print control method is stored.