JPH0741724B2 - Image processing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention receives a character code and a control code input from an external device, and detects a page direction, a character rotation direction,
The present invention relates to an image processing method for outputting image dot information according to the direction of advance of a character.

[Conventional technology]

A character output method in the conventional image processing method will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional character output operation. 1 is an interface for receiving code data from an external device, 2 is a microprocessor for processing input data, which is input through the interface 1. The data processing is performed by interpreting the code data. A page memory 3 stores character data converted into a common code for output such as display and printing for one page. A pattern generation circuit 4 reads a font pattern corresponding to the common code from the font memory 5 and sends it as a video signal to an output means (not shown).

Next, the operation of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining character output. (1) is an output example in which characters are output in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the recording paper S,
(2) is a character in the longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the recording paper S,
In addition, this is an output example of outputting a rotated character. The output form shown in the output example (1) is called portrait output, and the output form shown in the output example (2) is called landscape output. (3) is an output example in which characters are rotated in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the recording paper S and is rotated in the middle to output in the longitudinal direction, and (4) is shown in the output example (1). It is the output example which changed the advancing direction of a character and output the character string.

In the output example (1) shown in FIG. 11, that is, in the case of outputting characters in portrait, the character code input through the interface 1 is processed by the microprocessor 2 and converted into the internal code. Is stored in the page memory 3 and the character code of one page is stored, the page memory 3 is closed, and a font pattern designated by the character code is read from the font memory 5 in accordance with a command from the microprocessor 2.
It is obtained by sequentially outputting the designated font pattern to the output means according to the write address.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the landscape character output operation,
(A) shows the access direction of the font pattern, for example, the image dot data of the character "A" rotated by 90 ° is sequentially written on the recording paper S along the arrow direction. (B)
Shows an output example of the characters output to the recording paper S.

In the output example (2) shown in FIG. 11, that is, when the characters are output in the landscape, the landscape command and the character code input through the interface 1 are processed by the microprocessor 2 and converted into the internal code. The character code is stored in the page memory 3, and a rotation command for rotating the font pattern is sent to the pattern generation circuit 4. Therefore, the font pattern of each character read from the font memory 5 according to the character code written in the page memory 3 is rotated in a predetermined direction by the pattern generation circuit 4 and sent to the output means ((a) in FIG. 12). Will be shown). As a result, the output example (2) is obtained, and Fig. 12 (b) as a whole
It is output to the landscape as shown in.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining the conventional character output operation. 1,2,5 are the same as those shown in FIG. 10, 11 is a frame memory, and the instructions of the microprocessor 2 are given. The font data is written accordingly. The font memory 5 is provided with a font pattern for landscape in advance.

The microprocessor 2 interprets the code data input via the interface 1 and stores the fond data read from the font memory 5 according to the internal code in the frame memory 11 according to the write address. At that time, when a landscape command, a rotation character command, a vertical writing command, or the like, for example, is issued from an external device, the microprocessor 2 reads and writes the landscape font pattern written in the font memory 5. It is stored in the frame memory 11 according to the address, and the video data is sent to the output means according to the output command, and is output to the landscape as shown in FIG.

Further, a serial printer (not shown) is configured to output characters in vertical writing while conveying the recording paper character by character or to rotate the font pattern to output the rotated characters. There is also.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Since the conventional character output device is configured as described above, in the character output device having the page memory 3,
The font size of all characters written in one page must be the same size, that is, the number of dots in the height direction of the character and the number of dots in the width direction of the character must match.
Further, in a device having a font pattern for landscape, it is necessary to increase the area for storing the font pattern for landscape according to the number of characters for landscape, which is very expensive. Further, in a device such as a serial printer that outputs while conveying recording paper, font data is transmitted in synchronization with the conveying speed of the recording paper, so there is a problem that characters cannot be output at high speed. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and while analyzing the attribute information that specifies the output form set in the input character code, while organizing the character codes that have the same attribute. By storing image data in the same page memory and successively executing the image dot processing of the organized character codes of the same attribute, it is possible to speed up the image dot output processing for the character code having the same output form. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing method capable of

[Means for solving problems]

The image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method for reading image dot data designated by a character code stored in a page memory by rotating the image dot data in a predetermined direction and designated by a character code and the character code. Input the attribute information that specifies the output form of the image dot data, determine the attribute information set for the input character code, and use the character code for which the attribute information is set for each same attribute as the attribute information. The plurality of character codes stored in the page memory in association with each other and stored in the page memory are successively output.

[Action]

In the present invention, when the input data that specifies the output form of the character code and the image dot data specified by the character code is input, the character code set in the input character code is output in association with the attribute information. The character codes having the same output form in the page are organized and stored in the page memory, and the character codes having the same output form can be continuously processed.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the image processing method of the present invention. Reference numeral 21 is a receiving interface for receiving character code data and control code data input from an external device (not shown). The control code data also includes code data that specifies the output form of the characters to be output. Reference numeral 22 denotes a microprocessor for processing input data, which interprets code data input via the interface 21 and performs data processing. 23 is page memory,
Stores one page of character data for output such as display and printing. Reference numeral 24 denotes a microprocessor for processing output data, which develops a font pattern read via the pattern generation circuit 25 in the frame memory 26. A font memory 27 stores the font pattern (image dot data) of each character. The pattern generation circuit 25 rotates the font pattern read from the font memory 27 according to the data designating the output form.

Next, the operation of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a storage state of the page memory 23 shown in FIG. 1, and 23a is an attribute record of the present invention, and a series of character codes having the same attribute is sequentially pointed by the pointer P. .

The data sent from the external device is input to the microprocessor 22 via the interface 21. The microprocessor 22 interprets the input data and
Retrieves output character code and processes control code and control command data. When an external device designates an output form such as designation of a rotating character, designation of a character advancing direction, designation of position movement, and the like, the microprocessor 22 instructs the same as indicated by the pointer P as shown in FIG. Character attributes, that is, character records to be output for each attribute having the same output form are formed on the page memory 23. Microprocessor 22
Holds the start position of the function specification by the dot position information on each page, and when the function specification is completed including the virtual function specification such as line feed and page break, the microprocessor 22 outputs the character record of the character to be output. The formation is ended, and a character record for the next character having the same attribute pointed to by the pointer P is formed. This operation is performed for each pointer having an attribute.

Next, when the microprocessor 22 receives a page-break record or receives data for one page, the page memory 23 is closed and the microprocessor 24 is instructed to start the control. The character records on the page memory 23 are sequentially processed, the font memory 27 is accessed via the pattern generation circuit 25, and the font pattern is stored in the frame memory 26 according to the write address. At this time, the output form is designated. For example, when the microprocessor 24 receives a rotation command for rotating a character, it instructs the pattern generation circuit 25 about a rotation angle for rotating the read font pattern by a predetermined angle. Then, the dot data and the font pattern designated by the character code are expanded on the frame memory 26 according to the write address updated according to the x, y coordinate data of each character record designated by the pointer P. Next, the microprocessor 24 judges whether or not the expansion for the character code having the same rotation angle and the advancing direction of the character, that is, the character record pointed to by the same pointer P is completed, and when it is completed, the next pointer is instructed. Begin expanding character records.

The image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method in which image dot data designated by a character code stored in the page memory 23 (see FIG. 2) is rotated in a predetermined direction and read out. Input the attribute information that specifies the output form of the image dot data specified by the character code (input data L1 to L8 in FIG. 5),
The attribute information set in the input character code is determined (determined by the microprocessor 22 in this embodiment), and the character code in which the attribute information is set for each same attribute is associated with the attribute information. A plurality of character codes stored in the page memory and stored in the page memory 23 in association with the attribute information (the attribute record 23a shown in FIG. 2 is associated by the pointer P) are continuously output ( In this embodiment, the frame code is expanded and output in the frame memory 26) so that character codes having the same output form can be continuously processed.
The character code is stored in the page memory 23 in a state where the input data is associated with the attribute information for each same attribute.

Next, the image processing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a font pattern applied in the present invention. In each font pattern, the number of dots in the height direction of the character is 32, and the number of dots in the width direction of the character is 24.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the output area of the font pattern, for example, 2000 dots in the longitudinal direction and 15 dots in the lateral direction.
It consists of 00 dots, and the x and y axes show the external coordinate axes, and the X and Y axes show the internal coordinate axes. Further, (1) shows an output area whose longitudinal direction coincides with the y and Y coordinate axes (portrait), and (2) shows an output area whose longitudinal direction opposes the x and Y coordinate axes (landscape). As shown in the output area (2) of the same figure, during landscape, the external coordinates (100,500) with respect to the external coordinate axes x and y coincide with the internal coordinates [500,1900] with respect to the internal coordinate axes X and Y.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining data input from an external device, and L1 to L8 represent input data for each line.

As shown in this figure, input data as attribute information designating an output form, for example, input data L1 to L8 for three pages is input from the external device via the I / F 21 in the illustrated data format. Then, these input data L1 to L8 are associated with the character code set in the character code input by the microprocessor 22 by the pointer to the attribute information by the pointer and become the same output form in the output page. Knitted into 23, that is, the seventh described below
As shown in the figure, the same attributes are stored in the page memory 23.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the advancing direction of characters,
“0” to “3” indicate the respective advance vectors,
“0” means no rotation, “1” means 90 ° rotation, “2” means 180 ° rotation, and “3” means 270 ° rotation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the internal data of the data shown in FIG. 5, 23a shows the same as FIG. 2, and each internal data corresponds to each attribute record 23a, 23a _{1 to} 23a _2. It is stored in the page memory 23. In this figure, (a) corresponds to the internal data for the input data L1 and L2, and the pointer PO1
Instructed by. Further, ΔS represents the number of dots of the character in the advancing direction of the character. (B) corresponds to the internal data corresponding to the input data of L3 and L4, and the pointer PO2
Instructed by. (C) corresponds to the internal data for the input data of L5 to L8, and has pointers PO3-1, PO3-2, PO
Instructed by 3-3.

When the microprocessor 22 sequentially receives the input data L1 to L8 shown in FIG. 5 through the interface 21, first,
Input data L1 to L2, that is, portrait specification, "A,
Interpret "B, C", "line feed", "D, E, F", and as shown in the internal data (a) of FIG. 7, the attribute record 23a indicates whether or not the character is rotated and the forward direction is "0". (Shown in FIG. 6) is set, the internal coordinates [0, 40] of the first character "A" are set in the area of the page memory 23 pointed to by the pointer PO1, and the number of dots in the character advance direction is set. ΔS
Set to "24". Then output the letters "A, B, C"
Store the character code of. Next, a line feed operation is performed, the internal coordinates [0,72] of the first character "D" are set in the area of the page memory 23 (identical attribute) designated by the pointer PO1, and the characters "D, E, F" to be output are output. The character code of “” is stored, and the “page break” process is further performed.

Next, moving to page data creation for the second page, the microprocessor 22 sets the input data L3, L4, that is, landscape designation, characters "G, H, I", "line feed", characters "J, K,
After interpreting "L" and "page break", as shown in the internal data (b) of FIG. 7, whether or not the character is rotated in the attribute record 23a is "1" and the advancing direction is "3" (shown in FIG. 6). ) Is set, and the internal coordinates [40, 2000] of the first character "G" are set in the area of the page memory 23 designated by the pointer PO2.
And the number of dots Δ in the character advance direction.
Set "24" to S. Then, output the characters "G, H,
Store the character code of "I". Then, a line feed operation is performed, and the internal coordinates [72,200] of the first character “G” are displayed in the area of the page memory 23 (identical attribute) designated by the pointer PO2.
0] is set, the character codes of the characters to be output “D, E, F” are stored, and the “page break” process is performed.

Next, moving to page data creation for the third page, the microprocessor 22 inputs data L5 to L8, that is, the characters "M, N,
"O", "270 ° rotation designation", letters "P, Q, R", "position movement designation to external coordinates (1976,40)", "vertical writing designation", letters "S, T, U", " newline "character" V, W, X ', interprets the "form feed", as shown in the internal data of FIG. 7 (c), the presence or absence of rotation of the character attribute record 23a ₁ "1" and proceeds The direction "3" (shown in FIG. 6) is set, and the internal coordinates [40, 2000] of the first character "M" are set in the area of the page memory 23 pointed to by the pointer PO3-1.
Set "24" for the number of dots ΔS for the character advance direction. Then, the character code of the character "M, N, O" output by the same attribute designated by the pointer PO3-1 is stored.

Next, the process of designating 270 ° rotation for the letters “P, Q, R” is performed, but if it is rotated 270 ° to the landscape, it will rotate 360 ° as a whole, so the internal data (c ), The presence / absence of rotation of _two characters of the attribute record 23a “0” and the advancing direction “0” (shown in FIG. 6).
And the internal coordinates [4] of the first character “P” are set in the area of the page memory 23 designated by the pointer PO3-2.
0,1928] is set, and further, the number of dots ΔS in the character advancing direction is set to “24”.

Then perform vertical specification processing of the letter "S, T, U", as shown in the internal data of FIG. 7 (c), whether "1" in the rotation of the character attribute record 23a ₃ and leading direction " 0 "(shown in FIG. 6) is set, the internal coordinates [40, 24] of the first character" S "of the area of the page memory 23 pointed to by the pointer PO3-3 are set, and the character advance Set "32" to the dot number ΔS for the direction. Then, the characters “S, T,
The character code of "U" is stored. Subsequently, line feed processing is performed, and the internal coordinates [40,4] of the first character "V" are displayed in the area of the page memory 23 (identical attribute) designated by the pointer PO3-1.
8] is set, the character codes of the characters to be output “V, W, X” are stored, and the “page break” process is performed.

Next, the font pattern output operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 8A to 8C show output examples for the internal data (a) to (c) shown in FIG.

Attribute record 23a shown in FIG. 7 (a) ~ (c), 23a 1 ~23
When a series of character data is stored in the page memory 23 according to a ₃ , the microprocessor 24 reads the font pattern designated by the output character code while referring to the page memory 23. At this time, if there is a portrait designation, a landscape designation, or a rotation designation indicating the output form for the character to be output, the font pattern is processed (rotated) by the pattern generation circuit 25 according to each designation, and the microprocessor 24 Pass the font data to.

The microprocessor 24 calculates a write address on the frame memory 26 for storing font data (image dot data) according to the internal coordinates and the rotation angle. As shown in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (c), this write address is based on the lower left corner of the character pattern. Therefore, the write address of the character pattern (indicated by Δ in FIG. 9) and the internal coordinates (9th) are used. (Indicated by a circle in the figure) does not necessarily match. Next, the image dot data is expanded into the frame memory 26 for each page according to the write address, and video data obtained by converting the font pattern into video is output every time the expansion of one page is completed, for example, with high resolution.
Send to a CRT display or laser printer.
FIG. 8A shows an example in which character data designated by portrait, that is, the font pattern of the first page is output. FIG. 8 (b) shows an example in which the character data designated by the landscape, that is, the font pattern of the character data of the second page is output. FIG. 8 (c) shows an example in which character data by position movement and vertical writing designation, that is, the font pattern of the third page is output.

In the above embodiment, the case where the write address of the frame memory 26 is calculated by the microprocessor 24 by software has been described, but the write address is calculated in parallel with the development of the font pattern in the frame memory 26. However, it goes without saying that the operation can be performed at higher speed if the operation is performed by hardware. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the font pattern can be rotated by 90 ° by the rotation designation or designated by every 90 ° in the advancing direction has been described, but the font pattern can be easily rotated or advanced at any angle.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the character code and the attribute information designating the output form of the image dot data designated by the character code are input, and the attribute information set in the input character code is determined. Then, the character code in which the attribute information is set for each same attribute is stored in the page memory in association with the attribute information, and a plurality of character codes stored in the page memory in association with the attribute information are consecutively stored. Since it is configured to output the same, the character code in which the attribute information is set for each attribute having the same output form is associated with the attribute information and simultaneously stored in a mixed state in the same page memory in plural types. Therefore, it is possible to store a plurality of types of character information having different output forms in a small capacity page memory.

Further, since the image dot data is continuously output for each same output form, the image dot output process for the character code stored in the page memory can be efficiently performed.

Therefore, the image dot output process for the character code can be sped up with an inexpensive memory.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing method showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a storage state of a page memory shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is applied in the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a font pattern, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an output area of a font pattern, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining data input from the outside, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a character advancing direction. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining internal data of the data shown in FIG. 5, FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (c) are diagrams showing an output example of the internal data shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is an internal diagram. Figures showing the relationship between coordinates and write addresses, Figures 10 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the conventional character output operation, Figure 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the character output, and Figure 12 is a portrait character output, landscape. It is a figure explaining a character output, a rotation character output, and a vertical writing output. In the figure, 21 is the interface, 22, 24 microprocessor, 23 page memory, 23a, 23a ₁ ~23a ₃ is attribute record, 25 the pattern generation circuit, 26 a frame memory, 27 is a font memory.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G09G 5/24 9471-5G 5/32 Z 9471-5G (72) Inventor Yasuto Suzuki Ota, Tokyo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko-ku, Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yukio Isaka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for reading image dot data designated by a character code stored in a page memory by rotating the image dot data in a predetermined direction, the image dot data being designated by the character code and the image dot data designated by the character code. Input the attribute information that specifies the output form, determine the attribute information set in the input character code, and associate the character code in which the attribute information is set for each same attribute with the attribute information An image processing method comprising: successively outputting a plurality of character codes stored in a memory and stored in a page memory in association with the attribute information.