JPH0379729B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a high-speed printing information control device for characters, symbols, etc. In particular, it relates to an inexpensive information control device that receives symbols from a computer or the like and efficiently outputs various characters, symbols, etc. to a printer at high speed. These characters and symbols include kanji, katakana, hiragana, alphanumeric characters, numbers, and many other symbols, including many fonts such as Mincho and Gothic, and each font has its own character type. This invention is suitable for printing a large number of dots on the same page with a number of dots corresponding to each character/symbol (hereinafter referred to as pattern length). [Prior Art] Devices that handle various characters and symbols, such as kanji printers, handle many kanji characters, and the pattern of one kanji character contains a large amount of information, so in order to memorize that pattern, it is necessary to Requires large storage capacity. Such storage means include those capable of high-speed operation such as IC memory and wire memory, and those capable of low-speed operation and large capacity such as disk memory and drum memory. If the former is used, it is possible to read out kanji patterns at high speed and print them at high speed, but on the other hand, it becomes extremely expensive if it is provided with many fonts and character types. When the latter is used, the memory is inexpensive, but the reading speed is slow, and as a result, the recording speed of the printer becomes extremely slow. In order to solve this problem, conventionally, only the characters and symbols of the necessary font are transferred from the slow, large capacity font memory to the high speed, small capacity buffer memory for each page to be printed, and the fonts of unnecessary characters and symbols are transferred. We have taken measures to remove it from this buffer memory.
28371). [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, when dealing with a large number of typefaces, it is necessary to have a large number of expensive high-speed memories if buffer memories are individually assigned to each typeface with a different pattern length. . In addition, replacing characters and symbols in units of pages to be printed requires a font buffer, which is the buffer memory necessary to output the entire text on one page.
54−60524). If characters can be replaced at high speed not on a page-by-page basis but on a line-by-line basis, the capacity of the font buffer can be greatly reduced, which is extremely advantageous in terms of cost. [Means for Solving the Problems] In view of these problems, the present invention moves necessary characters and symbols from a slow, large-capacity font memory to a high-speed, small-capacity font buffer, and removes unnecessary characters and symbols.
Symbols are deleted from the buffer memory, various fonts with different pattern lengths are managed simultaneously within the same font buffer, and characters/symbols are swapped by line by line. The aim is to make printers cheaper by increasing their speed and reducing font buffers. The first means of the present invention is to replace patterns (font patterns) representing characters/symbols on a line-by-line basis. This method processes multiple fonts, such as the 48-dot Mincho font and the 64×64-dot Gothic font, within the same font buffer.The third method incorporates the concept of basic fonts in which characters and symbols are replaced. Therefore, this is done as a unit (basic typeface unit). Here, the basic typeface is generally the typeface most frequently used; for example, the basic typeface is the 32 x 32 dot Mincho typeface. A management department has been established to ensure that these means perform their functions. [Function] As a result of adopting the three means described above and the management department that manages them, the information to be printed can be printed continuously or virtually continuously, even though it is a small-capacity font buffer, by pre-processing the information to be printed. It has become possible to provide print information to a printer at high speed. [Example] The present invention will be explained below with reference to FIG. 1 showing an example. 100 is, for example, an electronic computer that outputs data to be printed, and 110 is an input data buffer that temporarily stores information to be printed. Here, the input data consists of code strings such as a code representing a typeface, a character/symbol code, a line feed code, and a character position code. 120 is a management unit that manages the flow of information based on input data from the input data buffer 110, converts character/symbol codes into addresses in the font buffer 150 that stores dot pattern information, and outputs the converted data to the internal code buffer 130. It includes a character management section 121, a dot data management section 122 that reads data from an internal code buffer 130 and outputs font pattern information in a font buffer 150 according to the data, and a management table 123 used in the management section 120. font table 124,
It consists of a font management table 125 and a read table 126. The internal code buffer 130 temporarily stores data to be sent from the character management section 121 to the dot data management section 122, and 140 is a magnetic drum or the like.
The font buffer 150, which is a low-speed, large-capacity storage device that functions as a font memory for storing character and symbol font patterns, receives and temporarily stores necessary character and symbol font patterns based on instructions from the character management section 121. 160 is an image output unit that receives the font pattern from the font buffer 150 through the dot data management unit 122 in the management unit 120 and outputs an image, and 170 is the image output unit 1.
This is a printer that prints images of characters and symbols based on input from the printer 60. The character management unit 121 that receives the input data from the input data buffer 110 recognizes the basic font from the font code included in the input data at the beginning of the pages to be printed continuously from now on. Therefore, divide the capacity of the font buffer 150 by the basic font pattern length (the number of dots that make up the basic font pattern), calculate how many basic font patterns can be stored in the font buffer 150, and calculate the maximum storage capacity, which is the number of storage spaces. calculate. Next, the character management unit 121 uses the font table 121 to determine how many hangars are required for all the fonts to be used, with the pattern length of the basic font being one unit.
Obtain with reference to 4. If this calculation yields a value below the decimal point, round it up. All font patterns of characters and symbols from the low-speed mass storage device 140 are replaced in the font buffer 150 using the pattern length of this basic font as a reference unit, and the font patterns of each font are replaced. The character management unit 121 stores a font management table 125 corresponding to the hangar number assigned to each hangar obtained by dividing the font buffer 150 into the maximum storage number.
refers to and processes all input code strings. The font management table 125 registers the character/symbol code, font number, page number, and line number of the font pattern stored in the font buffer 150, and the character management section 121 registers the character/symbol code from the input data buffer 110. When a font is received, it is determined whether it corresponds to a character, symbol, or font number that has already been registered in the font management table 125, and if it is registered, the index attached to that table is (index number) is output to the internal code buffer 130. If the applicable item is not registered, the page number,
Search for line numbers and start with the oldest page number, and if on the same page, start with the oldest line number, then search for the number corresponding to the multiple (number of hangars) of the pattern length of the basic font required by the font to be registered. The recorded contents of the divided area (section area) in the font management table 125 of At the same time as being output to the code buffer 130, it is also registered in the read table 126 for reading the contents of the low-speed mass storage device 140. The deletion of the recorded contents of the partition area in the font management table 125 has already been carried out by the printer 17.
It is possible to remove characters from the line before the line where 0 is printed, but the line currently being printed and the lines after it cannot be removed. Therefore, if the registration operation to register new characters/symbols cannot be performed because this expulsion operation cannot be performed, the conversion operation in which the old one is converted to the new one by this expulsion operation and registration operation is canceled, and the conversion operation is performed. The character management unit 121 instructs the low-speed large-capacity storage device 140 about information regarding characters already registered in the reading table 126 by the font buffer 150, such as the font number, character/symbol code, and the hangar number of the hangar to be stored in the font buffer 150. Then, based on the instruction, the font pattern related to the character already registered in the reading table 126 is read from the low-speed large-capacity storage device 140 and stored in the font buffer 150. The condition for discontinuing the conversion operation of the input data occurs not only in the above case, but also when the conversion of the last line of the page to be printed is completed. Due to this interruption, the read table 12 is already
A storing operation is performed to store the font pattern related to the character registered in step 6 into the font buffer 150. By operating in this manner, if the font buffer 150 is large enough to allow continuous conversion operations for several pages ahead, it is possible to prevent the start of the printing operation for the first page from being unnecessarily delayed. At the same time, printers such as sheet-type printers (those that can print sheets of paper) use the low-speed mass storage device 1 to spend the time between recording pages.
This time can be effectively used as time for reading out the font pattern from 40 to font buffer 150. Therefore, the character management section 121 that receives the input data from the input data buffer 110 recognizes the basic font from the font code included in the input data at the beginning of the pages to be successively printed, and repeats the above-described operation. As soon as the above storage operation is completed, the character management section 121 notifies the dot data management section 122. The dot data management unit 122 that received this notification
takes in the data from the internal code buffer 130, extracts the font pattern from the address (hanger number) of the font buffer 150 shown therein, transfers it to the image output section 160, and prints it on the printer 170. Once printing has started, the image output section 160 sends a message to the character management section 12 every time one line of printing is completed.
1, and thereby the character management unit 121 knows which line is currently being printed. Character management section 121 and dot data management section 122
operates immediately in response to input, so-called real-time operation. Here, the sum of the time T ₁ required for the conversion operation and the time T ₂ required for the storage operation performed after the conversion operation is stopped is the time T 1 required for the conversion operation.
If 70 is the time T ₃ (=T ₁ +T ₂ ) required to print the first to nth lines, the operation of the character management unit 121 always precedes the printing operation of the printer 170 by n lines. Then, this 1~n
The characters on the line are not subject to the purging operation, and the printing operation of the printer 170 is completely continuous. In order to do so, these lines 1 to n and the n+1 line that is currently undergoing conversion operation, that is, n+
It is sufficient to have a font buffer 150 with a capacity capable of storing the font pattern of one line of characters. The dot data management section 122 reads a font pattern from the font buffer 150 and transfers it to an image output section having an image memory for several lines. The image output unit 160 scan-converts the font pattern written in the image memory into data for each line and outputs the data to the printer 170. The printer 170 prints dots in response to data "1" and "0" sent line by line. The overall operation of the print information control device according to the present invention has been described above, and the operation of the character management section 121 that characterizes the operation of the present invention will be explained in the second section.
This will be explained using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. A to 2E and the management tables shown in FIGS. 3A and 3F. In the following, characters and symbols will be explained using kanji as a representative example. Assume that the capacity of the font buffer 150 is 1 kilobyte, and that there are four types of font numbers as shown in Table 1, each consisting of a dot structure. (Table 1) Font number 1: 16 x 32 dots Font number 2: 32 x 32 dots Font number 3: 48 x 48 dots Font number 4: 64 x 64 dots Regarding the font table 124, the font table 124 shows the number of basic fonts for each font. It manages whether the number of hangars in the font buffer 150 is required.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above explanation, this device manages line by line, and if the read speed of the low-speed mass storage device 140 is extremely slow compared to the speed of the printer 170, the font buffer 150 has a large capacity. On the other hand, if the speed of the printer 170 is slow or interruptions in printing are allowed, the font buffer 150 can be configured with an extremely small capacity. Furthermore, by having one page's worth of image memory in the image output section 160, it can easily be used as a display for outputting characters including many fonts. Furthermore, in conventional devices, font patterns in the font buffer are replaced in fixed units, and once the system is designed, replacement can only be done in that unit. On the other hand, according to the device according to the present invention, it is possible to set a basic typeface unit based on the concept of a basic typeface, and the most efficient basic typeface unit can also be arbitrarily selected. Since font patterns can be replaced as a unit, an extremely high-speed and efficient device can be realized. Furthermore, due to the characteristics of the hardware, there are cases where continuity of the font pattern in the font buffer 150 is required, that is, physically continuous storage of characters that are larger than the basic font that spans multiple lines. The feature is that the above-mentioned continuous storage, which can be carried out by managing the font pattern representing one character/symbol by attaching the last number of the line to be printed, can sufficiently cope with the request. has. Furthermore, the reason why many typefaces can now be stored in the same font buffer without the need for many font buffers is that the basic typeface unit that characterizes the present invention allows for efficient processing. The effect that it has become extremely easy to process many typefaces is significant. Cache memory used in electronic computers, etc. (References: For example, Information Processing Handbook 13)
-57 pages, editor: Information Processing Society of Japan, publisher: Ohmsha, publication date: May 30, 1972) requires real addresses and real data, whereas this device requires real addresses and real data, such as photos. Information regarding patterns and the like need only be processed before printing, and therefore does not need to exist in the font buffer 150 when performing conversion operations including purge and registration operations. Since the conversion operation is performed prior to printing, the time required for this can be predicted, and the font pattern can be stored in the font buffer at the optimal time without sacrificing printing time. be. This device is suitable for printing systems such as typesetting systems combined with word processors and computers that require high-quality characters, as well as
It can also be used in display systems that require high resolution, and the range of application of this device is wide, and its effects are extremely large.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Fig. A, Fig. 2B, Fig. 2C, Fig. 2D, and Fig. 2E are flowcharts for explaining the operation of Fig. 1, Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C, Fig. 3D,
Figures 3E and 3F are diagrams for explaining the font management table and font buffer, Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the readout table, Figure 5A is a diagram showing the contents of the input data buffer, and Figure 5B. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of an internal code buffer. 110... Input data buffer, 120... Management section, 121... Character management section, 122... Dot data management section, 123... Management table, 124
... Font table, 125 ... Font management table, 126 ... Readout table, 130 ... Internal code buffer, 140 ... Low-speed mass storage device, 150 ... Font buffer, 160 ... Image output section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Input data buffer means for temporarily storing input data, low-speed large-capacity storage means for storing font patterns of characters and symbols, and receiving required font patterns from the low-speed large-capacity storage means. a font buffer means for temporarily storing;
a management means including a character management section, a dot data management section, and a management table operated by input data from the input data buffer means; an internal code buffer means for temporarily storing an internal code in the management means; In the print information control device, the management table includes a font table, a font management table, and a readout table. and the character management unit prints the font management table into a font pattern representing one character/symbol in order to process the font pattern in basic font units with the most frequently used font as the basic font. The final number of the line to be written is assigned and managed on a line-by-line basis, and the font buffer means sets a hangar in units of the basic font and the font pattern representing the one character/symbol is not divided. Features of print information control device. 2. The character management unit manages font patterns representing one character/symbol to be stored in consecutive hangars when the hangar stores font patterns in units of basic fonts. Print information control device described in Section 2. 3. The character management unit manages font patterns representing one character/symbol to be stored in separate hangars when the hangar stores font patterns in units of basic typefaces. Print information control device described in Section 2. 4. The character management unit manages font patterns representing one character/symbol to be stored in consecutive or dispersed hangars when the hangar stores font patterns in units of basic typefaces. The print information control device according to item 1. 5. The management means performs a conversion operation including an expulsion operation for expelling old recorded contents of a partitioned area provided corresponding to the storage garage in the font management table and a registration operation for registering new characters and symbols. The print information control device according to claim 1, which manages not only pages but also lines. 6. The print information control device according to claim 1, wherein the management table is capable of specifying a font pattern based on a character/symbol code and a font number. 7 When storing a font pattern representing one character/symbol in multiple hangars,
5. The print information control device according to claim 3, wherein the character management section manages sections of the font management table corresponding to each storage by linking them with flags.