JPH0499663A - Color printer - 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] (Summary) This invention relates to a color printer device capable of printing an image consisting of a color configuration of multiple types of colors, and is capable of printing an image consisting of a color configuration of multiple types of colors from multicolor printing to single color printing. The purpose is to easily print the image without requiring much processing time, and it has a plurality of storage areas 1a and Ib corresponding to the image information of each of the plurality of colors of the image, and each storage area 1a, l
storage means I for storing image information of a color corresponding to color b; image synthesis means 2 for synthesizing image information of each color successively outputted in parallel from each storage area 181b of this storage means 1 and outputting it as composite image information; , the composite image information outputted from the image composition means 2 is printed out in one of the colors specified from the plurality of colors, or is outputted in parallel from each storage area 1a, lb of the storage means 1. The apparatus is configured to include a selection means 3 for selecting whether the image information of each color read out is to be printed out in the corresponding color.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a color printer device such as a color laser beam printer device capable of printing an image consisting of a plurality of color configurations, for example, a color laser beam printer device capable of high-speed PPC printing using a laser. The present invention relates to a print control technique for converting an image composed of a plurality of colors from multi-color printing to single-color printing.

[Prior Art] In recent years, there has been a trend toward color printers, and printer devices have become capable of printing in multiple colors, for example, red in addition to black, or in other words, printing in multiple colors. However, in multi-color printing, if the developer for one of the colors, for example red, runs out, an error message will be displayed even if the operator attempts to execute a print command from a display station with a terminal display such as a graphic display. ``Cannot be done.'' will be displayed on the display.

In this case, when printing does not require multi-color printing,
As mentioned above, when multi-color printing consists of black and red, the red image information for which the developer has run out is transferred from the storage area where the red image information is stored, and the black image for which the developer has not run out. The information is redeployed in a storage area where the information is stored so as to be superimposed on the black image information, and after the information is developed, printing is performed in a single color of black.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, as mentioned above, re-developing the image information of a color for which the developer has run out into the storage area where image information of other colors for which the developer has not run out takes a long processing time. The problem is that it takes a very long time and is very inconvenient.

In order to solve these problems, the present invention provides a color printer that can easily convert an image consisting of multiple types of colors from multi-color printing to single-color printing without requiring much processing time. The aim is to provide equipment.

[Means to solve the spy spoon]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the color printer device according to the present invention is capable of printing an image consisting of a color configuration of multiple types of colors, as shown in the block diagram of the basic configuration in FIG. In a capable color printer device, a plurality of storage areas 1a are provided corresponding to image information of each of the plurality of colors of the image.
, Ib, and stores image information of each color corresponding to each storage area 1a, lb, and synthesizes image information of each color read out in parallel from each storage area 1a+1b of this storage means 1. and outputting the composite image information outputted from the image composition means 2 as composite image information in one of the colors specified from the plurality of colors, or The present invention is characterized in that it includes a selection means for selecting whether image information of each color, which is successively output in parallel from each storage area 1a, lb of the storage means 1, is to be printed out in the corresponding color.

[Function] Each storage area 1a, 1 of the storage means 1 stores image information of a color corresponding to image information of each of a plurality of types of colors of an image.
In the case of normal multi-color printing, the image information of each color read from b is printed out in the corresponding color by selection by the selection means 3. On the other hand, in the case of single-color printing, after the image is synthesized as composite image information by the image composition means 2,
Depending on the selection by the selection means 3, the composite image information is printed out in any of the specified colors.

〔Example〕

Next, specific embodiments of the color printer device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, from the central processing unit (cPU) 21,
For example, in this embodiment, an address signal with a 16-bit configuration and two types of colors configured as an input signal as a data signal,
Specifically, an image signal that is image information of an image consisting of black and red color configurations, a print color mode designation signal that specifies the print color mode of the 2-focus parallel configuration, and a data signal, in other words, the image signal and the print color mode. write signal or Wr that specifies writing and reading of specified signals
Ite/Read signals are output.

For example, the upper three bits of this 16-bit address signal are used as chip select signals cso and cs1 for accessing the first and second memories 22 and 23, respectively, each consisting of a bitmap memory, and two parallel chip select signals cso and cs1. The upper three bits are supplied to a decoder 25 which forms a chip select signal C32 for accessing a register 24 constituted by a D-type flip-flop circuit. The first and second memories 22 and 23 each have a size of 240 bits (240 bits) x 11 inches (240 bits) x 240 bits (1 inch) x 1 inch (240 bits).
It consists of a 5-inch (horizontal) focus map memory. Also, the lower 13 bits are the first and second bits.
are supplied to the first and second memories 22.23 for each bit address indication in each of the memories 22.23.

On the other hand, the image signal as a data signal is stored in the first and second memories 22 and 23, and the print color mode designation signal of 2-bit parallel configuration is stored in the normal color mode designation special number "'0".
The signal is supplied to the register 24 as a 2-bit parallel signal of 0'', 1.0'' when the black mode is specified, and 0.1 when the red-color mode is specified. Also, Wr it
The e/Read signal is sent to the first and second memories 22.
23, while the Write signal is supplied to the register 24.

By the way, among the image signals supplied from the CPU 21, only the black image signal is stored in the first memory 22 based on the lower 13 pinpoints of the address signal, the chip select signal C3O, and the Write signal that are also supplied. They are sequentially selected, written and stored. The second memory 23 also stores lower 13 of the same image signals supplied from the CP and U21, as well as the lower 13 of the address signals supplied in the same way.
Based on the bit, chip select signal C3I and -rite signal, only the red image signal is sequentially selected, written and stored.

The image signals written and stored in this way, the image signals that are black image information in the first memory 22, and the image signals that are red image information in the second memory 23 are supplied at the time of printing. Lower 13 address signals
bits, chip select signals C3O, C3I and Re
They are read out in parallel and sequentially by the ad signal.

Next, the image signals simultaneously read out in parallel from the first and second memories 22 and 23, in other words, both black and red image signals, are controlled by various print color mode designation signals supplied to the register 24. How it is processed into a print output and supplied to the laser output circuit 26 which drives an LED laser to write on the drum and print in color will be explained with reference to FIG. 2 as well.

) When the printing color mode designation signals of o and o" when specifying the normal color mode are supplied to the register 24, and the output terminals 24a and 24b of the register 24 output a "0.0" (7) signal. .

Since a 0" signal is output to one of the eight terminals 24a of the register 24, the black image signal read from the first memo 1J22 is input to one input terminal 27a of the first AND circuit 27. Similarly, the first multiplexer full circuit (MPC) 28 is switched such that the other output terminal 24b of the register 24 is set to "O".
, the second multiplexer channel circuit ( MPC) 30 has been switched.

Further, since the "°1" signal is supplied to the other input terminals 27b and 29b of the first and second AND circuits 27.29 via the first or second inverter circuit 31.32, , first and second AND circuit 27.29
Each image signal supplied to one of the input terminals 27a, 29a passes through the first or second AND circuit 27, 28 and is supplied to the laser output circuit 26 as a print output.

Therefore, the image is printed in multiple colors of black and red.

11) “1,0” in register 24 when black mode is specified
When the print color mode designation signal is supplied and signals of "1, 0" are output to the output terminals 24a and 24b of the register 24, respectively.

Since the signal "do" is output to one output terminal 24a of the register 24, the first and second memories 22.
The first AND circuit 27 is configured such that a composite image signal obtained by combining the black image signal and the red image signal sequentially outputted from each of the 23 through the OR circuit 33 is supplied to one input terminal 27a of the first AND circuit 27. 1 MPC28 has been switched. In addition, the other output terminal 24b of the register 24 has °゛O”.
Since the signal is output, the first AND circuit 27
The other input terminal 27b of the first inverter circuit 11r
31, the composite image signal supplied to one input terminal 27a of the first AND circuit 27 passes through the first AND circuit 27 and becomes a black composite image signal. is supplied to the laser output circuit 26 as a print output.The other input terminal 29b of the second AND circuit 29 is supplied with '0' via the second inverter circuit 32.
Since the signal is supplied, the second AND circuit 29
The signal supplied to one input terminal 29a of the second AN
Passing through the D circuit 29 is prevented. therefore,
The image is printed in a single black color.

jj) O11 when red-color mode is specified in register 24”
When a print color mode designation signal of "0.1" is output to each of the output terminals 24a and 24b of the register 24.

Since a signal of 1'' is output to the other output terminal 24b of the register 24, the first and second memories 22.
The combined image signal obtained by combining the two image signals read from each of the two image signals 08 times 1W33 is sent to the second AND circuit 29.
The second M
PC30 has been switched. Also, since the signal of 0 is output to one output terminal 24a of the register 24, the other input terminal 29 of the second AND circuit 29
b is supplied with the signal °′1” via the second inverter circuit 32, the composite image signal is supplied to the second AN
The red composite image signal passes through the D circuit 29 and is supplied to the laser output circuit 26 as a print output. Note that the first A
Since the 0" signal is supplied to the other input terminal 27b of the ND circuit 27 via the first inverter circuit 31, the signal is prevented from passing through the first AND circuit 27. Therefore, A single color red-color printing of the image is performed.

Note that the storage area 1 in the storage means 1 in the present invention
a and lb are the first and second memories 2 in this embodiment.
Corresponding to 2.23, the image synthesis means 2 in the present invention corresponds to the OR circuit 33 in this embodiment, and
The selection means 3 in the present invention corresponds to the register 24, MPC28, 30, AND circuits 27, 29, and impark circuit 3L32 in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, a case has been described in which an image consisting of a color composition of black and red is printed, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to the case of printing an image consisting of a color composition of three primary colors in addition to black. . In this case, 4 memories, 4 MPCs, 4 AND circuits, and 4
It is composed of a human-powered OR circuit, a 3-bit, toner-to-rare configuration print color mode designation signal, and the like.

[Effects of the Invention: As described above, according to the present invention, the processing is performed to convert multi-color printing to single-color printing by composing image information of each color by the image compositing means to obtain composite image information. It can be easily done without taking much time. Moreover, unlike conventional methods, the image information of the color for which the developer has run out is not redeployed by superimposing it on the storage area where the image information of other colors for which the developer has not run out is stored. Since the color image information stored in each storage area is not destroyed, even after single-color printing due to running out of developer, original multi-color printing can be performed as long as the developer is replenished.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the inventive principle corresponding to the structure of the present invention described in the claims, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram for explaining a specific embodiment of the color printer device according to the present invention. be. In the figure, l storage means 1a, lb storage area 2 image synthesis means 2] 22.23 27, 29 28.30 31.32 selection means PIJ memory register decoder laser output circuit AND circuit multiplexer channel inverter circuit OR circuit

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a color printer device capable of printing an image consisting of a plurality of color configurations, (a) a plurality of color printers corresponding to image information of each of the plurality of colors of the image; A storage means (1) having storage areas (1a) and (1b) and storing image information of a color corresponding to each storage area (1a) and (1b); (b) each of the storage means (1); Storage area (1a), (1
b) an image synthesizing means (2) for synthesizing the image information of each color read out in parallel and outputting it as synthesized image information; and (c) combining the synthesized image information output from the image synthesizing means (2) The image information of each color read out in parallel from each storage area (1a), (1b) of the storage means (1) can be printed out in one of the colors specified from among the various colors. 1. A color printer device comprising a selection means (3) for selecting whether to print out each color.