JP3119360B2 - Output device and output method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an output device and an output method for outputting an image based on generated dot pattern character pattern data.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, there has been no idea that a printing device capable of converting the dot density changes the information of the character pattern in the means for storing the character pattern even if the dot density is changed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above conventional example, since the information in the character pattern storage means is not changed at the time of dot density conversion, the dot density is doubled from 2 dots / cm to 4 dots / cm. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the character pattern 12 of 2 dots / cm becomes a quarter of the size of the character pattern 13 of 4 dots / cm. There was a disadvantage that it changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an output apparatus and method capable of performing a character pattern output process accompanying a change in resolution at high speed by using a cache memory.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an output apparatus and a method capable of confirming a user when a resolution change occurs during a character pattern output process and then processing the character pattern.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, an output device of the present invention provides character pattern generation data necessary for developing a character pattern based on a set resolution and output character size. Enter the required character pattern generation data from the stored font memory, generate dot format character pattern data, store the generated dot format character pattern data in the cache memory, and change the set resolution In this case, the set resolution is compared with the resolution to be changed, and the character pattern generation data necessary to develop the character pattern so as to be the same as the set output character size is stored. Input character pattern generation data from the font memory Control means for storing the obtained dot-format character pattern data in the cache memory; developing means for developing an image in a memory based on the dot-format character pattern data stored in the cache memory; and Output means for outputting a developed image.

In the output method of the present invention, the necessary character pattern generation data is input from a font memory storing character pattern generation data necessary for developing a character pattern based on the set resolution and output character size. , Generating dot-format character pattern data, storing the generated dot-format character pattern data in a cache memory, and when the set resolution is changed, the set resolution and the changed resolution And input the character pattern generation data from the font memory storing the character pattern generation data necessary for developing the character pattern so as to be the same as the output character size set in the dot format. And generates the character pattern data in the dot format. Mori to be stored, the image developed in the memory based on the character pattern data of the dot form which is stored in the cache memory, and outputs to the output unit an image developed in the memory.

Also, the output device of the present invention inputs necessary character pattern generation data from a font memory that stores character pattern generation data necessary for developing a character pattern based on the set resolution and output character size. When generating dot-format character pattern data, storing the generated dot-format character pattern data in a memory, and outputting an image based on the dot-format character pattern data stored in the memory, Notification means for notifying the user that a change in the set resolution has occurred when a change in the resolution has occurred, and when an instruction to approve the change in the set resolution has been input, By comparing the resolution and the resolution to be changed, the character pattern is changed so that the output character size becomes equal to the set output character size. Input the character pattern generation data from the font memory storing the character pattern generation data necessary for opening, generate the dot format character pattern data, and store the generated dot format character pattern data in the memory. And an output unit that outputs an image based on the dot pattern character pattern data stored in the memory.

In the output method of the present invention, the necessary character pattern generation data is input from a font memory storing character pattern generation data necessary for developing a character pattern based on the set resolution and output character size. When generating dot-format character pattern data, storing the generated dot-format character pattern data in a memory, and outputting an image based on the dot-format character pattern data stored in the memory, When a change in the resolution has occurred, the user is notified that the change in the set resolution will occur, and when an instruction to approve the change in the set resolution is input, the change in the set resolution and the change To expand the character pattern so that it is the same as the set output character size by comparing the resolution Character pattern generation data is input from a font memory storing necessary character pattern generation data, dot-format character pattern data is generated, and the generated dot-format character pattern data is stored in the memory. The image is output to the output means based on the character pattern data in the dot format stored in.

With the above configuration, the output processing of the character pattern accompanying the resolution change can be performed at high speed by using the cache memory.

Further, when the resolution is changed during the output processing of the character pattern, the processing can be performed after confirming with the user.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the features of the present invention best. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a font memory for storing character pattern generation information necessary for developing a character pattern; Based on the currently set character size information and the currently set dot density information from the dot density conversion output unit 7, the necessary character pattern generation information is input from the font memory 1, and the pixel-based character pattern is developed in the font cache memory 3. 3 is a font cache memory that stores a character pattern in pixel units, 4 is a control unit that controls the whole, and 5 is a program that stores or stores a program for the control unit 4 to perform a control operation. A main memory 6, a pixel memory for storing a drawing image at the time of output in a pixel unit; 7 a dot density which is an output unit capable of converting dot density; It is a degree conversion output unit.

FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the font development unit 2. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 8 denotes a font memory 1, a font cache memory 3, a control unit 4, a dot density conversion output unit 7, and a font size register 9 according to a program of a font development memory 11. A font development control unit for controlling the dot density registers 10, 9 a font size register for storing the currently set character size, 10 a dot density register for storing the currently set dot density, and 11 characters in the font memory 1. This is a font development memory that stores a program for developing a character pattern in pixel units from the pattern generation information in the font cache memory 3.

In general, in the operation of generating and outputting an image, input information is input to the control unit 4, and under the control of the control unit 4, a font development command is issued to the font development unit 2. The control unit 4 inputs the character pattern generation information and develops a pixel-based character pattern in the font cache memory 3. The control unit 4 develops an output image in the pixel memory 6 using the character pattern information from the font cache memory 3. The output image of the pixel memory 6 is transferred to the dot density conversion output unit 7 to obtain a print output. At this time, the control program of the control unit 4 is read from the main memory 5. When a dot density conversion command is output from the control unit 4 or the dot density conversion output unit 7, the font expansion control unit 8 in the font expansion unit 2 determines the currently set dot density and the changed dot density of the dot density register 10. By comparison, the character pattern generation information of the font memory 1 is input so as to be the same as the character size of the font size 9, and the character pattern in pixel units is developed in the font cache memory 3. The control program of the font development controller 8 at this time is read from the font development memory.

[Other Embodiments] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment in which a display unit 15 is added to the control unit 4 of FIG. 1, and the other parts are the same as those of FIG.

As another embodiment, when a dot density change command is output, a character pattern change execution question is displayed on the display unit 15 instead of automatically changing the character pattern in the font cache memory 3 and the input information is waited for. If the input information is an execution command, for example, if the key is a Yes key, the above-described dot density change is executed.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, output processing of a character pattern accompanying a change in resolution can be performed at high speed by using a cache memory.

Further, when the resolution is changed during the output processing of the character pattern, the processing can be performed after confirming with the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that best illustrates the present invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the font developing unit 2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a character pattern reference diagram when the dot density is changed. FIG. 1 with font memory, 1 with font memory, 2 with font development diagram, 3 with font cache, 4 with control unit, 5 with main memory, 6 with pixel memory, 7 with dot density conversion output unit, 8 with font development control Part, 9 is the font size register, 10 is the dot density register, 11 is the font development memory, 12 is 2 dots / c
m is a character pattern example, 13 is a 4 dot / cm character pattern example, 14 is a 4 dot / cm character pattern example, and 15 is a display unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-173093 (JP, A) JP-A-3-33895 (JP, A) JP-A-59-9975 (JP, A)

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] A character pattern generation data necessary for expanding a character pattern according to a set resolution and an output character size is input from a font memory storing character pattern generation data required for the character pattern, and a dot format is provided. Generate character pattern data, store the generated dot-format character pattern data in the cache memory, and when the set resolution is changed, compare the set resolution with the changed resolution. Input character pattern generation data from a font memory storing character pattern generation data necessary for developing the character pattern so as to be the same as the set output character size, and perform dot-format character pattern data. And storing the generated dot-format character pattern data in the cache memory. Control means; developing means for developing an image in a memory based on dot-format character pattern data stored in the cache memory; and output means for outputting the image developed in the memory by the developing means. Output device. 2. The output device according to claim 1, wherein said output means is a printing means capable of changing the resolution. 3. A required character pattern generation data is input from a font memory storing character pattern generation data required for developing a character pattern according to a set resolution and an output character size, and the dot format is used. Generate character pattern data, store the generated dot-format character pattern data in a cache memory, and when the set resolution is changed, compare the set resolution with the changed resolution. Input character pattern generation data from a font memory storing character pattern generation data necessary for developing the character pattern so as to be the same as the set output character size, and form dot-formed character pattern data. And storing the generated dot-format character pattern data in the cache memory. An output method, comprising: developing an image in a memory based on dot-format character pattern data stored in the cache memory; and outputting the image developed in the memory to an output unit. 4. The output method according to claim 3, wherein said output means is a printing means capable of changing the resolution. 5. A required character pattern generation data is input from a font memory storing character pattern generation data necessary for developing a character pattern according to a set resolution and an output character size, and the dot format is provided. When generating character pattern data, storing the generated dot-format character pattern data in a memory, and outputting an image based on the dot-format character pattern data stored in the memory, changing a set resolution. When a change occurs, the notifying means for notifying the user that the set resolution is changed, and when an instruction to approve the set resolution is input, the set resolution is changed to the set resolution. Required to expand the character pattern so that it becomes the same as the set output character size by comparing Control means for inputting character pattern generation data from a font memory storing various character pattern generation data, generating dot-format character pattern data, and storing the generated dot-format character pattern data in the memory; An output unit that outputs an image based on dot-format character pattern data stored in the memory. 6. An output device according to claim 5, wherein said output means is a printing means capable of changing the resolution. 7. A character pattern generating data necessary for expanding a character pattern according to a set resolution and an output character size is input from a font memory storing character pattern generating data required for the character pattern, and a dot format is provided. When generating character pattern data, storing the generated dot-format character pattern data in a memory, and outputting an image based on the dot-format character pattern data stored in the memory, changing a set resolution. Occurs, the user is notified that the set resolution will be changed, and if an instruction to approve the set resolution is input, the set resolution and the changed resolution are displayed. And the character pattern required to expand the character pattern so that it becomes the same as the output character size set above. Character pattern generation data is input from a font memory storing pattern generation data, dot-format character pattern data is generated, and the generated dot-format character pattern data is stored in the memory, and is stored in the memory. Outputting an image to output means based on character pattern data in dot format. 8. The output method according to claim 7, wherein said output means is a printing means capable of changing the resolution.