JP2000099301A - Print control device, data processing method of print control device, and storage medium storing computer-readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To obtain a form overlay print result that allows input data in form data to be easily read visually. SOLUTION: After an output image based on input data and form data are overlaid and developed on a RAM 606, the CP
U601 is characterized in that black data in the output image on the boundary between the output image of the input data and the form data is rewritten into white data and developed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control apparatus for analyzing input print information and overlay developing the print information and desired information to be registered, a data processing method of the print control apparatus, and a computer-readable program. The present invention relates to a storage medium storing a possible program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus equipped with this type of printing control apparatus converts bitmap information in page units into a video signal, and develops character codes and graphic data transmitted from a computer into a bitmap. It is configured to develop image data sent from the host computer, develop external character fonts and logos, create bitmap information for each page as output information, and perform printout. ing.

Here, form information (overlay information) is transmitted from a host computer separately from print information (print data), registered in a printing apparatus, and the registered form is output by being superimposed on the print data. This is the general method.

[0004] At this time, if the form to be overlaid on each page is the same, if form information is transmitted for each page, it takes time to transfer data from the host computer. The form information is registered in the printing device, and the registered form information is
The print data and the form can be easily superimposed and output by simply instructing deletion from the host computer or holding down the power until the power is turned off, and simply instructing the form to be overlaid in the print data at any time.

Further, by adding a secondary storage device such as a hard disk to the printing device and registering the form information in the secondary storage device, various types of form information can be registered in the printing device. At the same time, the registered form information is not lost even if the power is once turned off.

Thus, the form information once registered in the secondary storage device can be easily overlapped with the print data simply by designating the form to be overlayed in the print data regardless of the power ON / OFF. It can be output together.

[0007] As described above, it is becoming common to register form information in a secondary storage device and perform print processing.

[0008]

However, there is no problem if the print information and the information to be overlaid do not overlap each other, but if the print areas overlap each other, FIG. Results in the print result shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an overlay printing result in a conventional printing apparatus, which is a general example of overlaying print data and a form.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 201 denotes print data. When the form data 202 registered in advance is printed by overlay development, as shown in a print result 301, the boundaries between the print data 201 and the form data 202 overlap each other. If this happens, neither characters nor figures can be read.

As shown in the figure, for example, when the paint pattern of the logo and the character pattern overlap, the characters at the overlapped boundary part are integrated with the logo pattern, making it impossible to determine what kind of character it is. There is a problem in that the visibility of the information (including characters, figures, images, and the like) superimposed on the information is reduced, and only a print result with low legibility is obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. After an output image based on input data and form data are overlaid and developed, a boundary between the output image of the input data and the form data is displayed. By rewriting black data in the output image to white data and controlling the expansion, even if the form data and the output image expanded based on the input data are complicatedly overlapped, the expansion processing can be performed with priority on the discrimination of the input data. Provided is a print control apparatus capable of obtaining a form overlay print result that allows input data in form data to be easily read visually, a data processing method of the print control apparatus, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program. The purpose is to:

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a predetermined communication medium (network, interface) is provided.
A print control device that receives input data from a data processing device via a data processing device, analyzes the received input data, develops the image into an output image, and transfers the output image to a printing mechanism, and stores the output image. (Work memory 60
6), a form storage means (secured on the work memory 606) for storing desired form data to be overlaid on the output image, and the desired form data stored in the form storage means and the output. After the image is superimposed and developed on the development memory, the development control means (the CPU 601 rewrites the black data on the boundary between the output image and the form data into white data)
03, which executes a control program stored in an external memory (not shown) to perform expansion processing).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, input data is received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium (network, interface), and the received input data is analyzed and expanded into an output image. A first processing step (step (1) in FIG. 11) of superimposing and developing stored desired form data and the output image on a development memory. ) To (5), (7)) and, after the output image expansion in the first expansion step is completed, the second expansion in which black data on the boundary between the output image and the form data is rewritten and expanded to white data. (Steps (1) to (18) in FIGS. 13 and 14).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, input data is received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium (network, interface), and the received input data is analyzed and expanded into an output image. A storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing apparatus which transfers the data to a printing mechanism unit, and a form registration step (not shown) for forming desired form data for overlaying and developing the output image A first development step (steps (1) to (5), (7) in FIG. 11) of superimposing and developing desired form data to be registered and the output image on a development memory; After the output image has been developed in the developing step, the second black data on the boundary between the output image and the form data is rewritten into white data and developed. Opening process in which a computer and a (FIG. 13, the steps of FIG. 14 (1) - (18)) has stored readable program storage medium.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a functional configuration of a print control device according to a first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an input data receiving unit which receives input data (print data, overlay information, print control information, etc.) transmitted from a host computer (not shown) via a predetermined communication medium according to a predetermined protocol. Including). An input data analysis unit 102 analyzes the input data received by the input data reception unit 101.

A form storage unit 103 stores registered form data (logo, form, external character, etc.). 104, a form management unit;
Manage forms registered in.

Reference numeral 105 denotes an input data expanding unit which expands the print data analyzed by the input data analyzing unit 102 into bitmap information for one page in page units and simultaneously converts the form information stored in the form storage unit 103. The form data is superimposed on the bitmap information of the print data through the form management unit 104 (overlay processing). Reference numeral 106 denotes a printing mechanism unit (printer engine). The printing mechanism unit 106 includes a printing mechanism that controls printing and a control mechanism that controls a sheet feeding and conveyance system (sheet feeding mode and sheet discharging process) in the printing mechanism unit 106. Become.

Note that 101 to 105 correspond to functional units inside a controller (print control device) of the printing apparatus.

Next, a registration process of form data to be overlaid will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the form data registration processing operation in the print control apparatus shown in FIG.
The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 2, when an input data receiving unit 101 receives input data transmitted from a host computer, the input data receiving unit 101 converts the received input data into an input data analyzing unit 10.
2 analyzes and determines that the command is a form data registration command, the subsequent form data is registered in the form storage unit 103 via the form management unit 104. Thereafter, when an ID or the like for identifying the form data is received, the form data corresponding to the ID is read out, passed to the input data expanding unit 105, and the form overlay expanding processing is executed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a form overlay printing process in the print control apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to an example of overlay (form overlay) of print data 201 and form data 202.

Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 203 denotes a form overlay print result. When the input data developing unit 105 overlays and develops the print data 201 and the form data 202 stored in the form storage unit 103, each print data 2
01 and the form data 202 are white-lined and developed, and printed out so that the state where the boundary is developed to be legible can be recognized.

As a result, the print data 201 shown in FIG.
Since a boundary line (white line) is drawn on the boundary between the print data and the form data in an area where the print of the form data 202 overlaps the print data, a clearer print result can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a printing system to which the print control device according to the present embodiment can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes a host computer for transmitting various print data to the printing apparatus, and transmits print information to a printing apparatus described later via a predetermined interface or network. Reference numeral 402 denotes a printing apparatus main body, for example, a case of a laser beam printer using a laser beam as a light emitting element. A controller unit 403 controls data processing of the printing apparatus main unit 402.
Reference numeral 404 denotes a printing mechanism (printer engine) of the printing apparatus main body 402.

Reference numeral 405 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire inside of the printing mechanism unit 404. The control unit 405 receives a video signal from the controller unit 403.
3 includes a part for receiving a control command from the printer engine 404, a state for transmitting the status of the printer engine 404 to the controller unit 403, and a part for controlling an electrophotographic process, a sheet feeding conveyance system, and an optical system.

Reference numeral 406 denotes an optical system in the printing mechanism 404, which comprises a rotating mirror, a laser unit, a BD detection mirror, a return mirror, and the like. Reference numeral 407 denotes an electrophotographic process in the printing mechanism unit 404 or a paper feeding / conveying system, which includes a registration roller, a photosensitive drum, a fixing roller, a conveyance roller, and the like. An operation panel 408 is provided on the printing apparatus main body 302 and includes various keys and an LCD display.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the image forming process of the printing mechanism 404 shown in FIG.

In the figure, a cut sheet (paper) 505 stored in a cassette 501 is fed by a pickup roller in the direction of an arrow, and once fed to a timing roller position such as a registration roller 502, and
The toner image developed by the developing unit (not shown) is re-fed at a timing capable of aligning with the leading edge of the image formed on the sheet 3, and is transferred to the sheet 505,
, And is discharged as a permanent image outside the apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows the controller section 40 shown in FIG.
5 is a detailed block diagram illustrating the configuration of FIG. 3, and the same components as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the entire controller unit; 602, a program memory which stores various control programs to be executed by the controller unit 403; Have been.

A font memory 603 stores font information for developing character codes into bitmaps, and is composed of, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). Reference numeral 604 denotes a transfer control circuit formed of hardware for transferring a bitmap image obtained by expanding print data to the printing mechanism unit 404. The transfer control circuit 604 controls, for example, a direct memory access controller (DMAC) or a FIFO and writing / reading of the FIFO. Hardware.

Reference numeral 605 denotes a data input interface circuit for connecting the host computer 401 and the controller unit 403. Reference numeral 606 denotes a work memory required for operating a program stored in the program memory 602. Access memory (RA
M), and a storage area for input data, a print data development area, and the like are also secured in the work memory.

A data output interface circuit 607 connects the controller unit 403 and the printing mechanism unit 404. Reference numeral 608 denotes an image signal generator which synchronizes with the print mechanism unit 404 and synchronizes with a print data development area (work memory 6 in FIG.
A video signal is generated from the bit map developed in step 06). A panel interface circuit 609 connects the operation panel 408 and the controller unit 403. 610
Is an internal bus for connecting each memory or circuit to the central processing unit 601.

Next, the drawing processing operation of the boundary (white line) between the print data and the form data will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 shows the work memory 606 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a coordinate system of a print image development area secured above.

In the figure, a bit map for one page specifies ON (black point) or OFF (white point) for an arbitrary bit represented by coordinates (X1, Y1) as shown in FIG. Thus, print data is formed.

Here, if drawing (printing ON / OFF of bits) and form data (ON / OFF) of form data are performed for arbitrary coordinates (X1, Y1), FIG.
The print result is difficult to see as shown in the print result 301 of No. 6. Therefore, boundary white line processing is performed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a boundary white line processing state in the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 8, a drawing result 90 of the print data is shown.
The white line data 903 is subjected to a drawing process on the work memory 606 at the boundary between the drawing data 901 and the drawing result 901 of the form data, as described later.

FIG. 9 shows the work memory 606 shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a detailed diagram for explaining a state of the above white line processing, and FIG.
10 is a diagram illustrating an example of expanded data based on the white line dot processing illustrated in FIG. 9, which corresponds to, for example, a case where the white line dot processing illustrated in FIG. 9 is performed on the form data 202.

In the figure, the work memory 6 shown in FIG.
After the form is developed in the print data development area on 06, the bits 1002-1 to 1002-8 near 8 around an arbitrary black point 1001 of the print data are set as white points, respectively. When this operation is performed for all the black points of the print data, a form in which the print data is blanked out as shown in FIG. 10 is developed in the print data development area. Finally, by actually developing the print data in the print data development area, the print result 203 shown in FIG. 3 is obtained.

Next, the operation of whitening drawing bits 1002-1 to 1002-8 around an arbitrary black point 1001 of the print data after expanding the form in the print data expansion area will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to the main processing procedure of the white line drawing processing.

Note that (1) to (7) show each step.

First, in step (1), the coordinates (X, Y) representing each bit position of the print data development area secured on the work memory 606 shown in FIG.
Set to 0).

Next, in step (2), it is determined whether or not processing has been performed on all bits of the Y coordinate. If it is determined that processing has been performed on all bits, the processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that all bits have not been processed, it is determined in step (3) whether all bits of the X coordinate have been processed. If it is determined that processing has been performed on all bits, the process proceeds to step (5) and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that all bits have not been processed, in step (4), the X coordinate is returned to the initial value "0" and the Y coordinate is set to "+".
1 "and return to step (2).

Next, in step (5), the coordinates (X, Y)
It is determined whether the drawing of the print data corresponding to is a black point, and if it is determined that the drawing of the print data is not a black point, that is, a white point, the process proceeds to step (7), and the X coordinate is set to “+1”. , And return to step (3).

On the other hand, in step (5), the coordinates (X, Y)
If it is determined that the drawing of the print data corresponding to is a black point, in step (6), a superimposition process described later is executed, and the process proceeds to step (7).

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of white line processing dots in the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The coordinates (X, Y) correspond to a state in which dots are turned into white dots at nine coordinate values (black points) specified by (0, 0).

In the figure, (A) corresponds to the case where the coordinates (X, Y) are (0, 0), (B) corresponds to the case where the coordinates (X, Y) are (X1, 0), (C) is coordinates (X, Y)
Corresponds to the case where (Xmax, 0), (D) corresponds to the case where the coordinates (X, Y) are (0, Y1), and (E) corresponds to the case where the coordinates (X, Y) are (X1, Y1). (F)
Corresponds to the case where the coordinates (X, Y) are (Xmax, Y1), (G) corresponds to the case where the coordinates (X, Y) are (0, Ymax), and (H) corresponds to the coordinates (X, Y). ) Is (X1, Yma
(I), the coordinates (X, Y) are (Xm
ax, Ymax).

In FIG. 12, Xmax and Ym
ax represents the maximum value of the X coordinate and the maximum value of the Y coordinate, respectively, and the maximum values of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate are determined by the printing paper size. X1 represents an arbitrary point in 0 <Xl <Xmax, and Y1 is 0 <Yl <Ymax.
Represents an arbitrary point in.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment. The detailed procedure of the superposition processing in step (6) shown in FIG. Corresponding. In addition,
(1) to (18) show each step.

First, the steps (1) in FIG. 13 and FIG.
(3), (5), (7), (9), (11), (1
In 3), (15), and (17), it is checked where the coordinates (X, Y) to be processed this time are in the print data development area, and as shown in FIG. The area around the black point is set as a white dot, and the process returns (returns).

Steps (1), (3), (5),
(7), (9), (11), (13), (15), (1
7) is set as a white dot corresponding to (A) to (I) shown in FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the processing for developing the print data and the form is performed by the controller of the printing apparatus. However, the developing processing is performed by the host computer, and the developed result (bitmap) is stored in the printing apparatus. The present invention is also effective in a host-based printing system that transfers data to a host.

According to the above embodiment, when the print area of the form overlaps with the print data, the boundary line (white line) is drawn at the boundary between the print data and the print area of the form, so that a clear print result is always obtained. Can be output.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, such as version information and creator, is also stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

FIGS. 11, 13, and 1 in this embodiment.
The functions shown in FIG. 4 may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program code, and the OS (Operating System) running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0073]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, there is provided a print control device that receives input data from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, analyzes the received input data, expands the output data into an output image, and transfers the output image to a printing mechanism. A development memory for storing the output image; a form storage means for storing desired form data to be overlaid on the output image; a desired form data stored in the form storage means; and the output image. And the development data is overlaid on the development memory, and then the development control means rewrites the black data on the boundary between the output image and the form data into white data. Output data and form data based on input data even if The boundary between can be deployed as a white dot, it is possible to obtain the printing result can be reliably read the input data overlap as black dots on the form data.

According to the second aspect, input data is received from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, the received input data is analyzed, developed into an output image, and transferred to a printing mechanism. A data processing method for a print control apparatus, comprising: a first developing step of superimposing desired form data and the output image to be stored in a developing memory; and developing the output image by the first developing step. And a second developing step of rewriting and developing black data on the boundary between the output image and the form data into white data, so that the output image based on the input data and the form data to be superimposed overlap each other as black dots. Even when the form data is expanded, the boundary between the output data based on the input data and the form data can be expanded as white dots, and the form data In it can be obtained print results that can reliably read the input data overlap as black dots.

According to the third aspect, input data is received from the data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, the received input data is analyzed, expanded into an output image, and transferred to the printing mechanism. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing control apparatus, wherein a form registration step of registering desired form data for overlaying and developing on the output image; and A first development step of superimposing the output image on a development memory and developing the output image in the first development step, and converting black data on a boundary between the output image and the form data into white data. And a second developing step of rewriting and developing, so that the output image based on the input data and the form data to be superimposed Even when the data is developed as dots, the boundary between the output data based on the input data and the form data can be developed as white dots, and a print result that can reliably read the input data overlapping as black dots on the form data can be obtained. it can.

Therefore, even when the form data and the output image developed based on the input data are complicatedly overlapped with each other, the development processing can be performed with priority given to the discrimination of the input data.
There is an effect that a form overlay print result that allows input data in the form data to be easily read visually can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a print control apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a form data registration processing operation in the print control apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form overlay printing process in the print control device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing system to which the print control device according to the embodiment can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming process of the printing mechanism unit 4 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a coordinate system of a print image development area secured on the work memory illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a boundary white line processing state in the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a detailed diagram for explaining a white line processing state on the work memory shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of expanded data based on the white line dot processing illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a first example of the print control apparatus according to the embodiment.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a white line processing dot in the print control apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a second example of the print control apparatus according to the embodiment.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a second example of the print control apparatus according to the embodiment.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overlay printing result in a conventional printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 401 Host computer 404 Printing mechanism 601 CPU 602 Program memory 603 Font memory 604 DMAC 606 Work memory 608 Image signal generator

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A print control device for receiving input data from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, analyzing the received input data, developing the output data into an output image, and transferring it to a printing mechanism. A development memory for storing the output image; a form storage means for storing desired form data for overlaying and developing on the output image; and a form data and the output image stored in the form storage means. Expansion control means for rewriting black data on a boundary between the output image and the form data into white data after being superimposed and expanded on the expansion memory;
A print control device comprising: 2. A data processing of a print control device which receives input data from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, analyzes the received input data, develops the output image into an output image, and transfers it to a printing mechanism. A method, comprising: a first expanding step of overlaying and expanding desired form data to be stored and the output image on an expansion memory; and after the output image expansion by the first expanding step is completed, the output image and the form. A second developing step of rewriting and developing black data on a boundary with data into white data;
A data processing method for a print control device, comprising: 3. A printing control device that receives input data from a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, analyzes the received input data, develops the output image into an output image, and transfers the output image to a printing mechanism. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, a form registration step of registering desired form data to be overlaid on the output image, and expanding the desired form data to be registered and the output image. A first development step of superimposing and developing on the memory, and a second development step of rewriting and developing black data on a boundary between the output image and the form data into white data after completing the output image development in the first development step. Deployment process,
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, comprising: