Output Apparatus Which Temporarily Stores Pattern Data for Output

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an output apparatus and, more particularly, to an output apparatus having the function to temporarily store, for instance, pattern data to be output.

2. Related Background Art

Hitherto, in such a kind of apparatus, for instance, a vector font is developed into a dot pattern and, thereafter, the pattern data is stored in a dot matrix form. In this case, a character cache memory to temporarily store the font in a dot pattern state is used.

For instance, in the case of a character cache memory of the dot matrix form, the font based on a dot unit is stored into the memory without losing the entire font.

However, in the case of printing utilizing the vector font on the basis of the above conventional example, since the patternized font is stored in its pattern state, there is a problem such that the memory capacity is used in vain.

In consideration of the above point, it is an object of the present invention to provide an output apparatus in which vector data is converted into dot data and a dot pattern is output, wherein the caching is executed in a data format other than the dot data.

In consideration of the above point, it is another object of the invention to provide an output apparatus in which a plurality of kinds of data formats of character data to be cached can exist.

In consideration of the above point, still another object of the invention is to provide an output apparatus in which a check is made to see if character data to be output exists in a dot character data cache memory or not, and if it does not exist, a check is made to see if the character data to be output exists in a compressed character data cache memory or not.

In consideration of the above point, further another object of the invention is to provide an output apparatus in which a check is made to see if character data to be output has been stored in either one of a plurality of cache memories or not, and if it is not stored in any of the cache memories, vector data is converted into a predetermined data format and can be selectively stored into the cache memories.

In consideration of the above point, further another object of the invention is to provide an output apparatus having a plurality of kinds of cache memories, in which vector data is converted into other data format and the cache memory into which the vector data is stored can be selected.

In consideration of the above point, further another object of the invention is to provide an output apparatus in which when vector data corresponding to a pattern to be output is converted into other data format and is cached, the data format to be converted can be selected in accordance with the size of the pattern to be output.

In consideration of the above point, further another object of the invention is to provide an output apparatus in which when vector data corresponding to a pattern to be output is converted into other data format and is cached, the data format to be converted can be selected on the basis of an output speed or a memory capacity.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for schematically explaining a construction of a printing apparatus in an embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the printing operation of the embodiment; and

FIG. 3 a flowchart for explaining the printing operation in another embodiment.

A preferred embodiment according to the invention will be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for schematically explaining a construction of an output apparatus in an embodiment according to the invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a printing apparatus as an output apparatus in the embodiment. A construction of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. Reference numeral 2 indicates an interface to input print data (character code) and a print command from an external host computer 20. Reference numeral 3 denotes a CPU to control the whole apparatus. The CPU 3 has therein an ROM 4 and an RAM 5. A control program, an error processing program, a program according to a flowchart shown in FIG. 2, which will be explained hereinlater, and the like are stored in the ROM 4. The RAM 5 has work areas for various programs and a temporary storage area.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a vector font data storage in which the vector font data corresponding to the print data is stored. Reference numeral 7 indicates a dot developer for detecting the vector font corresponding to the print data from the vector font data storage 6 and for developing a dot pattern on a dot unit basis in a memory 8, which will be explained hereinlater. Reference numeral 8 indicates the memory to store the font pattern which was pattern developed by an amount of one page.

Reference numeral 9 indicates a dot character cache memory to temporarily store the font pattern which was pattern developed by the dot developer 7 in a dot matrix format. Reference numeral 10 indicates a run length character cache memory to temporarily store the font pattern which was pattern developed by the dot developer 7 in a run length encoding format. Since the run length encoding format itself is a well-known technique which has already been used in a facsimile apparatus and the like, its detailed description is omitted. However, even if a number of such technical literatures exist, the patentability of the present invention is not denied by them. Reference numeral 11 indicates a cache memory selector to select either one of the two cache memories as a memory into which the font pattern which was developed by the dot developer 7 is to be stored. It is sufficient that the foregoing run length character has been compressed as compared with the dot character, and the invention is not limited to it. It is also possible to use one data format in the step of converting the vector data into the dot data. Different areas in one memory unit may be also used in place of the two cache memories. A selecting method in the cache memory selector 11 will be described in detail in conjunction with the explanation of FIG. 2 later.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an output device to form a character onto a paper as a permanent visible image on the basis of the dot data of the amount of one page which was developed in the memory 8, Reference numeral 13 indicates a system, bus for addresses, data, control signals, etc. in the apparatus. In the embodiment of claims, the means which is expressed as a memory denotes one means or one area in one memory unit.

A printing method of the printing apparatus 1 in the embodiment will now be described.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart for explaining the printing operation of the embodiment.

First, a control command to print is input from the host computer 20, thereby setting the apparatus into the printable mode. After completion of such a preparation, print data is input from the host computer 20 (step S1). In the embodiment, the print data is input on a line unit basis. The font corresponding to the input print data is searched in the dot character cache memory 9 (step S2). If the corresponding font pattern could be detected in the memory 9, it is stored into the memory 8 (steps S3 and S4). Then, step S13 follows. On the other hand, if the font pattern cannot be detected in step S3, the corresponding font is searched in the run length character cache memory 10 (step S5).

If the corresponding font data could be detected from the memory 10, a pattern is developed on a dot unit basis in the memory 8 on the basis of the font data (steps S6 and S7). On the other hand, if the font data cannot be detected in step S6, the vector font data of the corresponding font is detected on the basis of the data in the vector font data storage 6 and a dot pattern is developed in the memory 8 on the basis of the vector font data (step S8).

A check is then made to see if the font which could not be detected from both of the dot character cache memory 9 and run length character cache memory 10 is stored into either one of those cache memories or not. In the embodiment, although not shown, a switch to decide whether the writing of data is permitted or inhibited is provided for the two cache memories. When the switch is turned on, the data writing is enabled. When the switch is turned off, the data writing is disenabled. Therefore, if the data writing is disenabled in step S9, step S13 follows. On the contrary, if the data writing is enabled in step S9, the point size of the dot pattern font is first detected. If the point size is the 14 point size or larger, the font is stored into the run length character cache memory 10 in a run length encoding format (steps S10 and S11). On the other hand, if the point size is determined to be smaller than the 14 point size in step S10, the font is stored into the dot character cache memory 9 in the dot matrix format (step S12). The point size can be arbitrarily set.

As mentioned above, after step S4, S9, Sll, or S12, the processing routine advances to step S13 and a check is made to see if the data of one page has completely been developed in the memory 8 or not. In the discrimination of step S13, if the print data of the amount of one page is not input from the host computer 20 yet, the processing routine is returned to step S1 and the above-mentioned processes are repeated. On the other hand, if the completion of the development of the data of one page is confirmed in step S13, the dot data in the memory 8 is transmitted to the output device 12 and printed (step S14). If a print request is still generated from the host computer 20, the processing routine is returned to step S1 and the processes similar to those mentioned above are repeated (step S15).

It will be understood from the above description that, according to the embodiment, if the number of dot points of the font which was developed in a dot pattern is less than a reference value, the font is stored as an ordinary dot pattern, and if the number of dot points is the reference value or more, the font is stored in a run length encoding format, so that the memory capacity of the character cache can be saved as a whole.

In the above embodiment, the cache memory has been selected by checking as a reference whether the point size of the font is the 14 point size or more or smaller. Such a selecting method can be applied in the invention. That is, the dot character cache memory is selected for the font in which the printing speed can be improved if it is stored in the dot matrix format. On the other hand, the run length character cache memory is selected for the font in which the memory capacity can be saved if it is stored in the run length encoding system. In such a case, the selection of the character cache can be controlled by the attribute (point size, pitch, etc.) of the font and the printing process can be executed at a high speed. Those data are stored in the vector font data storage 6 or the like.

(Another embodiment)

Another embodiment will now be described.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for explaining the printing operation of another embodiment.

In another embodiment, since the operations in steps S1' to S5' are the same as those in the above embodiment, their descriptions are omitted. A construction of the apparatus in another embodiment is similar to that in the above embodiment and the same parts and elements as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

If the corresponding font data has been detected in the run length character cache memory 10 in step S6', a pattern is developed on a dot unit basis in the memory on the basis of the font data (step S7').

On the other hand, if the font data cannot be detected in step S6', a check is made to see if the font which could not be detected from both of the memories 9 and 10 is stored into either one of the cache memories or not (step S8').

In another embodiment as well, in a manner similar to the first embodiment, although not shown, a switch to determine whether the data writing is permitted or inhibited is provided for the two cache memories. When the switch is turned on, the data writing is enabled. When the switch is turned off, the data writing is disenabled. Therefore, if the data writing is disenabled in step S8', step S9' follows. On the basis of the data in the vector font data storage 6, the vector data of the corresponding font is detected. On the basis of the vector font data, a dot pattern is developed in the memory 8.

On the contrary, if the data writing is enabled in step S8', the point size of the font is checked. If it is the 14 point size or larger, the font is stored into the run length character cache memory 10 in the run length encoding format (steps S10' and Sll'). The run length data is expanded and a dot pattern is developed in the memory 8 (step S12').

On the other hand, if the point size is determined to be smaller than the 14 point size in step S10', the font is stored into the dot character cache memory 9 in the dot matrix format (step S13'). Further, on the basis of the data in the vector font data storage 6, the vector data of the corresponding font is detected. On the basis of the vector font data, a dot pattern is developed in the memory 8 (step S14').

After step S7', S9', S12', or S14', the processing routine advances to step S15' and a check is made to see if the data of the amount of one page has completely been developed in the memory 8 or not. If the print data of the amount of one page is not input from the host computer 20 yet in the discrimination of step S15', the processing routine is returned to step S1' corresponding to step S1 which has already been described in the first embodiment and the above-mentioned processes are repeated. On the other hand, if the completion of the development of the data of one page has been confirmed in step S15', the dot data in the memory 8 is transmitted to the output device 12 and printed (step S16').

If a print request is also generated from the host computer 20, the processing routine is returned to step S1' and the processes similar to those mentioned above are repeated (step S17').

It will be understood from the above description that, according to another embodiment, the operation and effects similar to those in the first embodiment can be obtained.

As described above, according to the invention, the memory capacity of the character cache to store, for instance, dot fonts can be saved. In addition, the printing process can be executed at a high speed by the selecting control of the character cache memories.

As described in detail above, in an apparatus for converting vector data into dot data and out- putting a dot pattern, an output apparatus for executing the caching in a data format other than the dot data format can be provided.

As described in detail above, an output apparatus in which a plurality of kinds of data formats of character data to be cached can exist can be provided.

As described in detail above, it is possible to provide an output apparatus in which a check is made to see if character data to be output exists in a dot character data cache memory or not, and if it does not exist, a check is made to see if the character data to be output exists in a compressed character data cache memory or not.

As described in detail above, it is possible to provide an output apparatus in which a check is made to see if character data to be output has been stored in either one of a plurality of cache memories or not, and if it is not stored in any of the cache memories, vector data is converted in a predetermined data format and can be selectively stored into the cache memories.

As described in detail above, it is possible to provide an output apparatus having a plurality of kinds of cache memories, wherein vector data is converted in another data format and the cache memory into which the vector data is stored can be selected.

As described in detail above, it is possible to provide an output apparatus in which when vector data corresponding to a pattern to be output is converted into another data format and cached, the data format to be converted can be selected in accordance with the size of the pattern to be output.

As described in detail above, it is possible to provide an output apparatus in which when vector data corresponding to a pattern to be output is converted into another data format and cached, the data format to be converted can be selected on the basis of an output speed or a memory capacity.