JPH01200890A - Video printer and its monitor display method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To know a printing loss on the screen of a monitor device by reducing a masking area according to the process of the printing. CONSTITUTION:When one still picture stored on a frame memory is printed, the still memory picture is read for a monitor from the frame memory 3, inputted to a color converting part 8 to display the still picture converted to the same color currently printed in a printer part 4 by a selecting signal from a RGB selecting part 9 and mask the prescribed area of a monitor screen by the blanking signal of a clanking control means 10. Further, when the printing is progressed, a trigger point is moved, so that the masking area of the monitor screen is reduced to gradually make the still picture appear frequency.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to a monitor display method during the printing operation of a video printer. The present invention relates to a monitor display method for a video printer that can display still images of substantially the same color.

[Conventional example] In recent years, various manufacturers have proposed video printers that manually input television signals or video signals, store one still image from that signal, and print that one still image. Moreover, color video printers are now able to print still images with extremely vivid colors and clarity.

Such a video printer has a configuration as shown in FIG. 13, for example, and it is now possible to input various signals such as N'rSC and RGII, and its use tends to be expanded.

In the figure, the input signal (video signal) is NrSC
If it is a signal, it is converted into an RGII signal by the decoder section 1, and each of the signals is converted into a digital signal by the A/L) converters 2a, 2b, and 2c of the A/L) converter 2, respectively.

When the video printer is in recording operation,
1 by 1tGB Shingin each converted to digital
The still image is stored in the R (red) memory 3a of the frame memory 3,
They are stored in the memory 3b for G (green) and the memory 3C for 13 (bluish-purple), respectively. Subsequently, when the video printer performs a print operation, the 1 stored in the frame memory 3 is
A still image is read out for each line of the print, for example, and is read out for each color (yellow, magenta, cyan) and output to the printer section 4. As a result, in the printer section 4, for example, first, the above-mentioned one still image is printed for each line read from the frame memory 3 for the yellow color, and then the above-mentioned still image is printed for each line read from the frame memory 3 for the magenta color and cyan color. The one still image is printed for each line, and printing of one still image is completed.

Further, when the video printer is operated as a monitor, one still image stored in the frame memory 3 is read out for each scanning line, and each D/A converter 5 of the D/A converter 5
A, 5b, and 5c convert the signals into analog signals, and the encoder section 6 converts the signal into a video signal, which is outputted to a monitor device or the like from a video output terminal (not shown). Furthermore, the 13th
Although not shown in the figure, the RG13 signal digitally converted by the A/D converter 2 is not stored in the frame memory 3, but is manually input to the L)/A converter 5. ing. In this case, the 1 (GB times signal, part 1)/A converter 5 converts the signal into analog, and the encoder 6 converts it into a video M number, which is output from the video output terminal to a monitor device or the like.

Therefore, by connecting a monitor device to the video output terminal, it is possible to monitor one still image stored in the frame memory 3 for the purpose of printing, a video generated by an input signal, and the like.

In addition, various controls when the video printer is monitored, recorded, and printed are controlled by the computer 1.
This is done in the roll unit (CPU) 7.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, when a video printer is installed on the computer and a print operation is performed, a frame memo is simply stored in the IJ3 on the screen of the monitor device connected to the video output terminal. The current printing status in the printer unit 4, for example, how many lines are printed and what color (yellow, magenta, cyan) is printed. As a result, there have been cases where the operator has felt uneasy about the possibility of machine failure.

By the way, it takes a long time, for example, several tens of seconds, for 640 lines to complete the print.

This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the first aspect is a monitor display method for a video printer that allows the printing status of a still image to be known on the screen of a monitor device. Our goal is to provide the following.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the video printer of the present invention converts one still image stored in a frame memory from an input signal into a printing color in a printer unit, and prints the video printer. a color conversion section for outputting to the D/A conversion section; and a color conversion section for controlling the output of this color conversion section, displaying the color-converted still image on a monitor screen of a monitor device, and providing a masking area on this monitor screen. and a blanking control means for outputting a blanking signal, and displays a still image of the color currently being printed by the printer section on the monitor screen,
Further, a predetermined area of the monitor screen where the still image is displayed is masked, and this masking area is decreased as the printing progresses.

In addition, the color scheme conversion section is equipped with a color converter for 1<, a color converter for G, and a color converter for B, and these color converters for R, G, and B are The still IE image selected by the selection signal from the RGO selector section and read out from the frame memory is converted into the color printed by the printer section.

Further, the blanking control means counts the number of print lines in the printer section, detects the print position based on this count value, outputs a blanking trigger at the timing of this print position, and uses this trigger to signal the blanking signal. It is designed to output .

Furthermore, in the monitor display method of the video printer of the present invention, when one still image stored in the frame memory from an input signal is printed in yellow, magenta, and cyan colors, a masking area is displayed on the monitor screen of the monitor device. is decreased in accordance with the progress of printing by the printer section, and a still image of substantially the same color as that printed by the printer section is displayed in the portion where the masking area is released.

[Function] In the above configuration, one static 1L stored in the frame memory
When printing an image, a still image is read out from the frame memory for use on a monitor and input to the color conversion section.

At this time, the color conversion section is set to output a still image converted into substantially the same color as the color being printed by the printer section by the selection signal from the RGB selector section. In addition, the blanking control means counts the address for reading out the still image line by line from the frame memory for printing, detects a print line based on the count, and uses the detection timing as a trigger point P to signal a blanking signal. occurs. This blanking signal controls the output of the color conversion section. therefore,
On the monitor screen of the monitor device, the above color-converted still image is displayed up to the position corresponding to the trigger point P,
The subsequent portion is displayed in black (masking).

Furthermore, as printing progresses in the printer section, the trigger point P is moved according to the printing line, so
The masking area of the monitor screen is reduced. That is, like a curtain being drawn, more and more still images stored in the frame memory gradually appear on the monitor screen.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In addition, in the figure, the same parts as in FIG. 13 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanation will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, a color converter 8 is provided between the frame memory 3 and the D/A converter 5.

The color conversion unit 8 includes a memory 3a for black, a memory 3b for green,
An R color converter 8a corresponds to the B memory 3c.

A G color converter 8b and a B color converter 8C are provided. These R color converter 8a, G color converter 8b, and B color converter 8c receive R, G, and B selection signals from the RGB selector section 9 and R, G, and G color converters from the blanking control means 10.
, B blanking signal, when a still image read from the frame memory 3 is printed, the still image read from the frame memory 3 for monitoring is converted into a color substantially the same as the color actually printed. In addition, a monitor device (¥11) can be used to monitor only the still image part that is actually printed.
Output to. The blanking control means 10 includes an address counter section 10a that counts addresses for reading out one still image from the frame memory 3 to the printer section 4 during printing, and a printing position (line information) of the printer section 4 based on this count signal. ) and outputs a blanking trigger at the timing of this printing position, and the above R, G, B is detected by the trigger output and the R, G, B select signal from the RGB select section 9. RG that outputs a blanking signal
A B blanking generation section 10c is provided.

Note that the reading of each image stored in the frame memory 3 is different between the printer section 4 and the color conversion section 8. To explain this using the monitor screen 11a, one still image is read out to the printer section 4 at an address corresponding to the vertical line of the monitor screen 11a, and the color conversion section 8 reads out the still image at the address corresponding to the vertical line of the monitor screen 11a. One still IL image is read out at an address corresponding to a scanning line.

Further, the RGB selector section 9 and the blanking control means 10 are connected to a control section (CPU) 7 (not shown).
(as shown in the figure), but each may be configured with an individual dedicated chip.

Next, the operation of the monitor display method applied to the video printer configured as described above will be explained based on the time charts of FIGS. 2 and 3 and the monitor state diagrams of FIGS. 4 to 12.

First, it is assumed that one still image is stored in the frame memory 3 by a recording operation of the video printer, and that the monitor device 11 is connected to the video output terminal.

Here, when the video printer is operated to print, the monitor screen 11 is displayed until the printer unit 4 starts printing.
There is no monitor display on a, for example black (mask)
A display is made (see Figure 4). That is, l+G13
The blanking control means 10 outputs R and G whose masking area is the entire monitor screen 11a.

This is because since the B blanking signal is output, each color converter 8a, 8b, 8c of the color converter 8 outputs an L level signal. Subsequently, in the printer section 4, for example, when printing in yellow (Y) is first performed, the still image is read line by line from the B memory 3c, and yellow printing is sequentially performed for each line.

At this time, one still image is read out from the frame memory 3 for each scanning line under the control of the control section 7 and input to the color conversion section 8 . Furthermore, since the color printed by the printer section 4 is yellow, the RGB selector section 9
For example, the R, G, and B select signals from the )
), the B color converter 8c of the color converter 8 is put into the output state.

On the other hand, in the address counter section 10a of the blanking control means 10, from the frame memory 3 to the printer section 4,
The addresses of the still images read out are counted, and line information of the printing position in the printer section 4 is obtained. Furthermore, in the sampling clock counter section tab, a load (L
The internal sample clock signal is counted (the counting operation shown in FIG. 2(b) and (d) to (f)) based on the line information obtained by oad). Then, when the count value corresponds to the print line information described above, the trigger point P (see Fig. 2(f)) is determined and the trigger output is made (see Fig. 2(c)). reference).

Furthermore, in the RUB blanking generation unit 10c, a predetermined area of the monitor screen 11a (area A shown in FIG. 2: up to trigger point P) is determined based on the R, G, B select signals and the trigger output signal. R, G, and B blanking signals are output for displaying a yellow still image and displaying other parts in black (masking area). As a result, the color conversion f! The outputs of the color converters 8a and 8b for G are each fixed at the H level up to the trigger point P (see FIGS. 2(, j) and (k)), and the outputs of the color converter 8c for B are Of the read still images, the data up to the trigger point P is used (see FIG. 2 (1)). These signals are output as a video signal (yellow still image) via a level signal and data beam, an /A converter 5, and an encoder 6. The above operation is repeated as many times as the number of horizontal scanning lines (corresponding to one still picture) on the monitor screen 11a while one line is printed in the printer section 4.

Then, the trigger point 1- is displayed on the monitor screen 11a.
A yellow still image is displayed up to the position corresponding to P (interval A: see FIG. 2(f)), and the remaining unprinted portion is displayed in black.

Furthermore, as line printing progresses in the printer section 4, the bipedal trigger point P is moved to the right within the range R (see Fig. 2(f)) (interval B>A: Fig. 2(f)). f
)reference). Therefore, the masking area on the monitor screen 11a changes according to the progress of the line printing. For example, when printing progresses to approximately 300 lines, the masking area on the monitor screen 11a is approximately half (if one print has 640 lines). (See Figure 5). That is,
As line printing progresses in the printer unit 4, the masking area on the monitor screen 11a is gradually released in the direction of the arrow in the figure, like a curtain on a window being opened, and the monitor screen shows the part of the monitor screen where the masking area has been removed. A yellow still image appears in 11a.

Subsequently, when printing of one still image for yellow is completed in the printer section 4, the trigger point P reaches the right end of the movement range - the cup, and the monitor screen 1 is displayed almost at the same time.
The masking area 1a disappears, and a still image of approximately the same color as that printed by the printer section 4 is displayed (6th
(see figure).

Furthermore, when the printing operation for the next color magenta (M) is performed in the printer unit 4, first, before printing, the entire monitor screen 11a is brought into a black (mask) state in the same way as described above (see Fig. 7). ), then when line printing is started in the printer section 4, the RGH selector section 9 outputs H.
R, B select signals of the level and G select signals of the L level are output (see FIG. 3(d) to (f)), and the same R, G, B select signals as above are output from the blanking control means 10.
A blanking signal is output. That is, the output of the R output color converter 8a of the color converter 8 is at the trigger point P.
(see FIG. 3(g)), and the outputs of the G color converter 8b and the B color converter 8c are the same as the data up to the trigger point P among the still images read from the frame memory 3. (Fig. 3 (h) and (i)
)reference). These H level signals and data are outputted as a video signal (a still image of approximately yellow overlaid with magenta) via the D/A conversion section and the encoder section 6. Then, a still image of that color is displayed on the monitor screen 11a up to the position corresponding to the trigger point P, and other parts are masked.

Furthermore, as line printing progresses in the printer unit 4, the trigger point P is moved, so the monitor screen 11
The masking area of a is reduced.

That is, on the monitor screen 11a, the masking area is gradually solved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. (See Figure 8). Furthermore, as line printing progresses in the printer section 4, the trigger point P is moved and the masking area on the monitor screen 11a is reduced. Then, when printing is completed in the printer section 4, the trigger point P reaches the right end of the moving range of the cup, and therefore the masking area on the monitor screen 11a disappears almost at the same time, and the monitor screen 11a is displayed in approximately yellow. An entire still image with magenta overlaid is displayed (
(See Figure 9).

Furthermore, when the printing operation for the next color cyan (C) is performed in the printer section 4, first, before printing, the entire monitor screen 11a is brought into a black (mask) state in the same manner as described above (Fig. 10). reference). Subsequently, when line printing is started in the printer section 4, the RGB selector section 9 outputs G, B select signals at I (level) and R select signals at L level (Fig. 3 (i) to (1)). )reference)
, from the braking control means 10, the same <R, G as above,
A B blanking signal is output. That is, the outputs of the R color converter 8a, the G color converter 8b, and the B color converter 8c are used as data up to the trigger point P of the still image read out from the frame memory 3 (see FIG. (
(See m) to (0)). These H level signals and data are passed through the D/A converter 5 and the encoder 6 to a video signal (approximately yellow, magenta, cyan superimposed color static+h).
output as both). Then, a still image of that color is displayed on the monitor screen 11a up to the position corresponding to the trigger point P, and other parts are masked.

Furthermore, as line printing progresses in the printer section 4, the trigger point P is moved in the same way as described above, so the masking area on the monitor screen 11a is reduced. That is, the masking on the monitor screen 11a is gradually removed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11 in the same manner as described above, and the portion of the monitor screen 11a where the masking has been removed has a color of approximately yellow, which is a combination of magenta and cyan. A still image is displayed (see Figure 11). Then, when printing is completed in the printer section 4, the trigger point P reaches the right end of the moving range - the cup, and therefore the masking area on the monitor screen 11a disappears, and the monitor screen 11a displays approximately yellow, magenta, Furthermore, an entire still image in a color overlaid with cyan is displayed (see FIG. 12).

In this way, when the video printer is operated to print, the monitor device 11 connected to the video output terminal is printed in the corresponding color (yellow, magenta, cyan) by the printer section 4. Still images up to the line are monitored. Therefore, when printing with the video printer, the operator can know the printing status until one still image is printed, and also can judge when the printing will be completed, causing anxiety. There will be no more problems like this.

Note that although the printer unit 4 in the above embodiment prints the still image read out from the frame memory 3 in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the monitor screen 11a), it prints the still image read out in the horizontal direction (
It is also possible to print a still image read out horizontally to the monitor screen 11a. In that case, the blanking control means 10 may, for example, count the horizontal synchronizing signals and obtain the trigger point P using the counted value. Then, the masking area of the monitor screen 11a is gradually reduced, like a stage curtain being lowered, and the monitor screen rfIilla has a portion corresponding to the curtain in approximately the same color as that printed by the printer unit 4. A still image is displayed.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the video printer and monitor display method of the present invention, when printing one still image stored in the frame memory of the video printer, the still image is converted into a color converter. The color converter converts the color into approximately the same color as that actually printed and displays it on the monitor screen, and the blanking control means displays the output of the color converter up to the still image part currently being printed on the monitor screen. , the other part is a masking area, and the masking area decreases as the printing progresses, so when printing a still image, the current printing status can be known on the monitor device, and furthermore, it is possible to check the current printing status on the monitor device when printing a still image. Since the operator can grasp the printing status, the operator is relieved of his/her anxiety about whether the machine has malfunctioned, for example, and is more convenient in terms of ease of use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a video printer to which the monitor display method is applied;
3 and 3 are time charts for explaining the operation of the above monitor display method, FIGS. 4 to 12 are state diagrams of the monitor screen according to the above video display method, and FIG. 13 is a diagram of a conventional video printer. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram. In the figure, 1 is a decoder section, 2 is an A/D conversion section, 2a, 2b
, 2c is an A/D converter, 3 is a frame memory, 3a is a processing memory, 3b is a G memory, 3C is a B memory, 4
is a printer section, 5 is a D/A conversion section, 5a, 5b, 5c are D/A converters, 6 is an encoder section, 7 is a control section (CPU), 8 is a color conversion section, 8a is a color conversion for R vessel, 8
b is a G color converter, 8c is a B color converter, 9 is an RGB selector section, 10 is a blanking control means, 10a is an address counter section, 10b is a sampling clock counter section, 10c is an RG13 blanking generation section, 11 is a monitor device, and 11a is a monitor screen.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) An A/D converter that converts an input signal to digital, a frame memory that stores one still image from the digitally converted input signal, and a printer that prints the stored one still image in color. and a D/A conversion unit for outputting the one still image etc. to a monitor device, the one still image stored in the frame memory is printed in substantially the same color as the color printed in the printer unit. a color converter that converts the color and outputs it to the D/A converter; and a color converter that controls the output of the color converter to display the color-converted still image on the monitor screen of the monitor device; and blanking control means for outputting a blanking signal for providing a masking area, displaying a still image of the color currently being printed by the printer section on the monitor screen, and displaying the still image in the color currently being printed by the printer section. 1. A video printer characterized in that a predetermined area of a monitor screen is masked, and the masking area is decreased as the printing progresses. (2) The color converter includes an R color converter, a G color converter, and a B color converter, and the R color converter, G color converter, and
The B color converter and the B color converter are selected by the selection signal from the RGB selector section and the blanking signal, and convert the still image read from the frame memory into the color printed by the printer section. A video printer according to claim 1, wherein the video printer is configured to: (3) The blanking control means counts the print lines in the printer section, detects the print position based on the count value, outputs a blanking trigger at the timing of the print position, and uses the trigger to perform the blanking process. The video printer according to claim 1, wherein the video printer outputs a signal. (4) Store one still image from the input signal in the frame memory, print the stored one still image in color, and
In a video printer that outputs the input signal or the stored one still image to a monitor device, when printing the one still image stored in the frame memory, the still image is displayed on the monitor screen, and the still image is displayed on the monitor screen. , and the masking area is reduced in accordance with the progress of printing of the one still image, so that a still image of substantially the same color as the printed color is displayed on the monitor screen. Features video printer monitor display method.