JPH03295669A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a recording device, and more particularly to a recording device capable of color recording of characters, graphics, etc. based on information from a host.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, among recording devices that perform color recording of characters and graphics based on color information from a host, there is no one that has the function of storing color information from the host and outputting a list of the stored color information. I didn't.

[Problem that the invention is trying to solve]

Therefore, it is not possible to easily check the consistency between the display color on the display of the host computer and the output color of the printing device, resulting in the following drawbacks.

In other words, it is necessary to actually output the color output data of characters and graphics using a recording device and check whether the desired color tone is obtained. is wasted, and requires waiting time for color output.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that can easily obtain output of a desired color tone.

(Means and operations for solving the 11 problems) In order to solve the above problems, the recording device of the first invention of the present application includes an input means for inputting pattern information and color information encoded in a predetermined code. and an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the pattern information and color information inputted by the input means, and the image forming means can form an image on the sample of the coded color information. It is characterized by the following.

Furthermore, the recording device of the second invention of the present application has a common means for developing coded color information as an image for sample display and a means for developing coded pattern information as an image. It is characterized by

〔Example〕

The embodiment of the present invention to be described below includes an input means for inputting color registration information from a host, a conversion means for converting the color registration information into density information of a coloring material of a recording device, and an input means for inputting color registration information from a host. a setting means for setting a predetermined code (index number) to a predetermined code (index number), a storage means for storing the color registration information according to the index number, and an output for outputting the color registration information stored by the storage means based on the index number. By providing a means, a list of color registration information (
(sample) output is controlled.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a host computer that outputs print data and print commands from outside the printing apparatus, and 2 is the main body of the printing apparatus of this embodiment.

The main body 2 is composed of a microprocessor including a RAMSROM, an interface 21 for transmitting and receiving data with the host computer 1, and color registration tables 2222-1 (RA, 22-2 (R) in which color specification information is stored).
A color information storage section 22 stores information for color reproduction processing, a color reproduction processing section 23 that actually performs color reproduction processing, and is also used to set various parameters for controlling printing. an operation panel 24 that can perform operations, a data bus 25, a control unit 26 that controls the entire device, and a command analysis unit 27 that analyzes print data and print commands.
, color data such as characters and figures in Y, MSL, 1 for each color.
It is equipped with a pattern development section 28 that develops the pattern into a bitmap memory corresponding to a screen size, and an output section 29 that forms a permanent visible image of the developed color data on paper using, for example, a color laser beam printer.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a print command used when outputting characters in color.

As shown in the figure, the character print command is specified by the command identification number.
, , printing position, and data of the characters to be printed, and the character color designation command is composed of the job type number of the command, , and an index number indicating the color registration data in the color registration table of the color information storage section 22.

FIG. 3 shows the color registration tables 22-1 and 22-2 described above, and it is assumed that color registration data is stored according to index numbers 0 to n (n is a constant). Here, the color registration table 22-1 is constituted by a RAM, and can be rewritten according to data from the host computer 1 as described later. On the other hand, color registration table 2
2-2 is constituted by a ROM, and a predetermined registered color is registered in advance as a default.

In addition, color registration data includes RSG, B brightness data, CSM, and RSG used to specify colors when drawing characters and figures.
It refers to YSK concentration data.

FIG. 4 shows the brightness data of R, G, and H as C and M.

An example of color reproduction processing for converting into Y, density data is shown.

In process 1, LO is applied to the values of R, G, and B, which are brightness information.
C and M which are concentration information after G conversion are applied.

Performs density conversion processing to convert to Y.

In process 2, K (Black) is obtained from the values of C, M, and Y.
Performs undercolor removal processing to extract the value of .

In process 3, masking processing is performed to correct unnecessary absorption characteristics of C and MSY toners or inks and to perform appropriate color reproduction.

In process 4, γ conversion processing is performed to adjust the contrast and brightness according to the image.

The above processing is performed in the color reproduction processing section 23.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart from processing the color print command (FIG. 2) sent from the host computer 1 to outputting color print of characters.

In step S1, pattern information including a color print command (FIG. 2) and character information (character size, etc.) sent from the host computer 1 is read, and the process advances to step S2 to analyze the command.

In step S3, the intex number of the color registration table (FIG. 3) is extracted from the character color designation command (FIG. 2), and the process proceeds to step s4.

In step S4, the pointer is set at the beginning of the color registration table, and in step S5, the pointer is advanced to the area where the color information corresponding to the read index number is stored, and the color information (in this case, the brightness of R, G, H) is moved. information) is read out, and the process advances to step S6.

In step S6, in the color reproduction processing section 23, RSG,
The brightness data of B is converted into density data of C, M, and Y, and the process advances to step S7.

In step S7, dot development is performed in the pattern development section based on the above-mentioned density data of C and MSYSK and necessary character information, and the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, a permanent visible image of the characters is formed on paper or the like based on the data developed in step S7, and the paper is ejected to complete the process.

As described above, it is possible to specify and retrieve information from the color registration table using an index number (command parameter) and print characters based on it.

In FIG. 6, the color information immediately after step s6 is Y=100%, M
It shows the printing results of the letter A when =50%, C=25%, and K-0%. The printer of the output unit 29 of this embodiment is as follows:
Since a binary printer is used, the desired density is expressed by the density of dots.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a color registration command.

It has a configuration that supports four types of color information data formation,
It consists of an index number that serves as a reference for storage in the color registration table, a type flag that serves as a data format identification, and immediate value data for each data format.

Here, H, S, and L indicate data formats indicating hue, saturation, and lightness, respectively.

FIG. 8 shows a color registration table.

Figure 8(a) shows a structure that allows data to be stored in the same format even if the stored data format is different as described above.The storage area is determined according to the index number, and the data format can be identified. A type flag is also stored at the same time. Note that n is a constant here.

In FIG. 8(b), the stored data formats are C and M.

YSK is standardized, and all color information data formats are converted into C, M, Y values and stored according to index numbers.

Co, Me, Yo, K= are the values of C, M, Y, corresponding to index number 0, and C1, M, , Yl
, K, is the value of C, MSY, corresponding to index number n.

FIG. 9 shows an algorithm from receiving the color registration command (FIG. 7) from the host computer to storing color registration information in the color registration table shown in FIG. 8(a). First, in step S21, a color registration command is read, and in step S21, the color registration command is read.
Proceed to 22. In step S22, the command analysis unit 27 extracts the index number, type flag, and color specification value, and the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, a pointer is set at the beginning of the color registration table (FIG. 8(a)), and the process advances to step S24.

In step S24, the pointer is advanced to the area where color registration data is stored based on the index number read in step S22, and the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25, the type flag and color designation value are set in the storage area, and the process ends.

As described above, color registration information in different data formats can be stored in the color registration table using the type flag.

FIG. 10 shows an algorithm from receiving the color registration command (FIG. 7) from the host computer to storing color registration information in the color registration table shown in FIG. 8(b).

First, a color registration command is read in step S31, and the process proceeds to step S32.

In step 832, the command analysis unit 27 extracts the index number, type flag, and color designation value, and proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, it is checked based on the type flag whether the color designation value data is 0% M, Y or C, M, Y data.

Here, if the data is C, M, Y or C, M, Y, the process advances to step S35. If not, step S34
The process advances to step S35 to convert the read color designation value into C, M, Y format data.

If the conversion in step S34 is RlGSB luminance data, it is converted into CSM, Y, density data format by the color reproduction process shown in FIG. 4.

If the luminance data is H, S, and I, convert it to luminance data of -degrees, RlG, and B, and then convert it to C, M% according to the method described above.
It is assumed that the density data format is converted to YSK.

In step S35, a pointer is set at the beginning of the color registration table (FIG. 8(b)), and the process advances to step S36.

In step S36, the pointer is advanced to the area where color registration data is stored based on the index number read in step S32, and the process advances to step S37.

In step S37, color designation values are set in the storage area in the data format C1M5Y, and the process ends.

As mentioned above, information in different color registration data formats can be
It can be converted into the MSYSK data format and stored in the color registration table.

FIG. 11 shows the operation panel 24 of FIG. As shown in the figure, it is composed of an LCD display section and switches, and the rightmost switch is used to output a list of the contents of the color registration table (registered colors, index numbers, registered data).

Figures 12 and 13 show how to create a color registration table (Figure 8 (a)) by specifying the index number from the operation panel 24 in Figure 1.
This is an algorithm that outputs the contents of a list in a list.

In step S41, the color registration output mode is selected from the color registration switch shown in FIG. 11, and the process proceeds to step S42.

In step S42, the index number of the color registration data to be output as a list is selected on the panel.

Start value ml and end value m8 of index number to output
is selected and set so that color registration data corresponding to index numbers m to m□ can be output as a list (m I and In 2 are constants).

In step S43, the color registration table (FIG. 8(a))
A pointer is set at the beginning of , and the process advances to step S44.

In step S44, a pointer is set in the color registration information storage area for index number m1, and step S45
Proceed to.

In step S45, the type flag is extracted from the color registration information storage area.
The color designation value is read out and the process advances to step S46.

In step S46, the type flag indicates that the type is C%MSY.
Alternatively, check C, M, Y, K, and if the data is C, M, Y or CSM, Y, proceed to step S48. If not, the process proceeds to step S47, where the read color designation value is converted into a data format of CSM%Y, and the process proceeds to step S48.

In the conversion at step S47, if the luminance data is R%GSB, it is converted into the C1M5YSK data format by the color reproduction process shown in FIG.

In the case of H, S, and L data, it is assumed that the data is first converted into R, G, and H luminance data, and then converted into a CSM%Y data format according to the method described above.

In step S48, the value of ml is printed at a predetermined position as an index number, and the process proceeds to step S49.

In step S49, the pattern development unit 28 shown in FIG. 1 develops color data in a predetermined area based on the color designation value corresponding to the index number m1. Here, the index number, registered color, and color component density value are developed into dots in the pattern development section 28. In this way, by using the pattern development section in the normal processing mode when developing color information for registered color samples, the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified.

In step S50, the color specification value used in step S49 is printed at a predetermined position based on the type flag, and in step S51
Proceed to.

In step 851, ml is incremented by one, and the process proceeds to step S52.

In step S52, m + (!: m x is compared.

If m1≦m, the process returns to step S44 and the above-described process is repeated. If not, the process advances to step S53 and the color data of the expanded list is
The paper is transferred to the output unit 29 in the figure, and the paper is ejected in step S54, thereby terminating the process.

Even when receiving a color registration command (Fig. 7) from the host computer and outputting the contents of the color registration table shown in Fig. 8(b) in a list, step S is performed using the above algorithm.
45 to read only the specified color value, and step S5
6. This can be achieved by omitting S57.

As described above, by specifying the index number from the operation panel, a list of the contents of the color registration table can be output.

Figures 14 and 15 are examples of lists output by the above algorithm.

Figure 14 shows m + = 1, m ! = 255, and this is the result of outputting the contents of the color registration table in FIG. 8(a), and FIG. 15 shows m + = 10, m! =
This is the result of outputting the contents of the color registration table shown in FIG. 8(b) as 20. Note that the registered color data may be expressed as a level or as a percentage (%).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the overall processing flow of this embodiment including the operator's procedures.

First, in step S61, a mode is selected, and if it is determined in step S62 that it is not the sample output mode, the process shifts to normal processing mode in step S63. On the other hand, in the case of sample output mode, step S
At 64, the sample output process described in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is performed. Here, the selection of the mode is performed using the unillustrated operation section of the host computer 1 or the operation panel 24 of the recording device 2.

As shown in Figure 14, the sample output displays the index number, the registered color that filled in the predetermined area, and the color component data of the registered color, so the operator can use this sample to obtain the desired color. If the registered color is not found, you can change the registered color. In particular, according to this embodiment, since the index number and color component data are displayed on the sample, the operator can easily operate the host computer when changing the registered color.

When changing the registered color (S65), the index number of the registered color and the color component data are input from the operation unit (not shown) of the host computer 1 (866), and in response to this input, the flowchart of FIG. 10 described above is performed. Accordingly, registered color changing processing is performed (S67). Also, if there are other colors to change, repeat the processes of S66 and S67 (S68)
.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a desired registered color can be easily obtained.

[Other Examples]

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the data formats of the color registration data are limited to four formats: RGB format, CMYK format, CMY format, and H8L format, but other color system data formats, such as "L*a*b",L"u"v',
It can also be applied to YIQ, etc.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, only RGB→CMYK and HSB→CMYK conversion processing to C, M, Y, and C, M, Y, etc. were described, but conversion processing is also possible for other data formats.

Although an example is shown in which data conversion processing is not performed when using the CMY format, it is of course possible to convert the CMY format into the CMYK format by performing processing such as removing the undercolor and then registering colors.

For the embodiment described above, the color registration table is shown in FIG. 8(b).
), the color specification values for the index numbers are only C, M, and YSK as shown in Figure 15, but the color specification values in the color registration data format sent from the host computer A display (as shown in FIG. 14) can also be realized by having a storage means for storing the color designation values.

In addition to the color laser beam printer, the output printer may be a color tod printer, a color inkjet printer, a color thermal transfer printer, or the like.

Further, the printer is not limited to a binary output printer, but may be a multi-value output printer. In that case, the pattern development section may be provided with a multi-valued bitmap memory.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the above embodiments of the present invention,
The list of color registration information sent from the host to the recording device can be output from the operation panel, making it easy to check the consistency between the colors on the display and the colors output by the recording device. can.

Furthermore, since there is no need to output actual color output data, it is possible to save toner and ink and shorten the waiting time for outputting color samples.

Furthermore, it becomes possible to fine-tune the color tone regarding the above-mentioned matching using the output result of the list.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of character printing and character color specification commands. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a color registration table. , a diagram showing an example of color reproduction processing (color data conversion processing), Fig. 5 is a flowchart from reading a text color specification command to outputting color printing of text, Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of color reproduction processing (color data conversion processing). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of color registration commands in different data formats. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of a color registration table. 90.1
Figure 0 is a flowchart from reading the color registration command to setting color registration information in the color registration table. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the operation panel. Figure 12 [P43 is the content of the color registration table from the operation panel. Figure 15 shows an example of outputting a list of the contents of the color registration table. Figure 16 shows the entire process of this embodiment. It is a figure showing a flow. 1... Host computer 2... Printing device body 21... Interface 22... Color information storage section 23... Color reproduction processing section, 24... Operation panel 25... Data bus 26... - Control section 27...Command analysis section 28...Printer section 29...Output section 2 Figure (f) 14 judgments of the government. 0 table falcon drawing paper 8 haze (sukanwa drawing OR, 6, B format, ρ climb 4 extra data OC, M, 'y', XF) 6'vf! l'*ypiOC
1M, Y square 5 / l'Fbjk theta OH, S, L 簀O~SUCiE record taita

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) An input means for inputting pattern information and color information encoded in a predetermined code; and an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the pattern information and color information input by the input means. 1. A recording device comprising: an image forming device capable of forming an image on the sample of the coded color information by the image forming means. (2) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the color information in correspondence with the code and a plurality of color component densities. (3) The second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the color information is further subjected to a predetermined conversion process and is stored in the storage means.
Recording device described in section. (4) The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the conversion process is brightness-density conversion. (5) The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming means forms an image of the sample of the color information together with the densities of the plurality of color components. (6) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming means displays an index of the color information together with a sample of the color information. (7) A recording device characterized in that means for developing coded color information as an image for sample display and means for developing coded pattern information as an image are common.