JPH0965085A - Image output device, image output method, and image output system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Correction) [PROBLEMS] To provide an image output device capable of performing data processing in a short time even if the amount of data is large. SOLUTION: When data is received from a host computer 2 via an input interface 4, a built-in RAM 7
The data is transferred to the receiving buffer 9 inside. The data transferred to the reception buffer 9 is analyzed by the CPU 3 and edited in the page memory 10 for each page as an individual command that can be interpreted by the bitmap image creation routine. The edited page data is analyzed by a bitmap image creating routine and expanded in the bitmap memory 11 as a bitmap image. The expanded bitmap image is transferred to the output unit 8,
Printed. When there is a redrawing instruction, redrawing can be performed by calling page command information for one page.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output device for generating and outputting a bitmap image in an internal memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an image output device such as a page printer receives data from a host computer via an input interface, the image output device transfers the data to a reception buffer in a built-in RAM.

The data transferred to the reception buffer is stored in the CPU
1 as an individual command that is parsed by and can be interpreted by the bitmap image creation routine in page memory
Edited page by page. The edited page data is analyzed by a bitmap image creating routine and developed as a bitmap image in the bitmap memory. The expanded bitmap image is transferred to the output unit and printed.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional example, when one page of data is output from the host computer and the same one page of data is desired to be output again, the above-described processing procedure is performed again from the beginning. If the amount of the data is very large, there is a problem that the data transfer time and the data processing time will be considerably increased.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image output device capable of processing data in a short time even if the amount of data is large.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an image output apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention stores a received means for receiving image data from an information processing apparatus and a storage means for storing the received image data. Image data storage means, replacement means for replacing the stored image data with command information that can be internally interpreted for each page, command information storage means for storing the command information for one page, and the stored command It is provided with a developing means for developing a bitmap image based on the information, a bitmap image storing means for storing the developed bitmap image, and an outputting means for outputting the stored bitmap image.

The image output device according to claim 2 is the image output device according to claim 1.
In the image output device according to the above, there is provided an instructing unit for instructing to output the image data in which the bitmap image is output again, and an acquiring unit for acquiring the command information for one page of the instructed image data, It is characterized in that a bitmap image is developed based on the acquired command information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output device which receives image data from an information processing device, image data storage device which stores the received image data, and a bit based on the stored image data. The image forming apparatus includes a developing unit for developing the expanded bitmap image, a bitmap image storage unit for storing the expanded bitmap image for one page, and an output unit for outputting the stored bitmap image.

An image output device according to a fourth aspect is the image output device according to the third aspect.
In the image output device according to the present invention, there is provided an instructing means for instructing to output the image data in which the bitmap image is output again, and an acquiring means for acquiring the bitmap image for one page of the instructed image data. It is characterized by that.

An image output method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention receives image data from an information processing device, stores the received image data, and replaces the stored image data with command information that can be internally interpreted for each page. Storing one page of the command information, developing a bitmap image based on the stored command information, storing the developed bitmap image, and outputting the stored bitmap image Is characterized by.

An image output system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an image output system including an information processing device and an image output device, wherein the image output device includes receiving means for receiving image data from the information processing device, and the receiving means. Image data storage means for storing the stored image data, replacement means for replacing the stored image data with command information that can be internally interpreted for each page, and command information storage means for storing the command information for one page, Expansion means for expanding the bitmap image based on the stored command information; bitmap image storage means for storing the expanded bitmap image; and output means for outputting the stored bitmap image. Prepare

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an image output apparatus of the present invention will be described.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image output apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a main body of the image output apparatus, 2 is a host computer that serves as a data supply source, 3 is a CPU that controls everything in the image output apparatus 1, and 4 is an input interface for storing data sent from the host computer 2. Reference numeral 5 is a program ROM for storing a control program including a program to be described later, 6 is a scalable font corresponding to an input character code (a character font in which a character pattern is represented by stroke information, not dot information, and stored) is stored. A font ROM, 7 is a built-in RAM serving as a memory medium including a reception buffer, a page memory, and a bitmap memory, and 8 is an output unit for performing printing.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of data in the image output apparatus. When data is received from the host computer 2 via the input interface 4, the built-in RAM
The data is transferred to the reception buffer 9 within 7.

The data transferred to the reception buffer 9 is CP
It is analyzed by U3 and is edited page by page as individual commands in the page memory 10 which can be interpreted by the bitmap image creation routine. The edited page data is analyzed by a bitmap image creating routine and expanded in the bitmap memory 11 as a bitmap image. The developed bitmap image is transferred to the output unit 8 and printed.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the drawing processing procedure of the drawing processing program stored in the program ROM 5. First, data is acquired from the reception buffer 9 (step S1). The image data in the received data is analyzed (step S2) and edited in the page memory 10 page by page as individual commands that can be interpreted by the bitmap image creation routine. The page data edited here is reserved until the next page data is created.

The edited page data is analyzed by a bitmap image creating routine (step S3),
It is developed as a bitmap image in the bitmap memory 11. At this time, even if the bitmap memory for one page cannot be secured depending on the device, it can be dealt with by dividing the page to create a bitmap image.

The bitmap image created by the expansion is transferred to the output unit 8 to output the image (step S
4). It is determined whether redrawing is instructed (step S5). Examples of the redrawing instruction method include an operation on the panel of the apparatus body and an instruction by a command.

If there is an instruction for redrawing, step S2
The command information data in the page memory 10 for one page stored in step S6 is acquired (step S6). Based on the acquired page data, the command is analyzed by the bitmap image creating routine and developed as a bitmap image (step S7). At this time, step S3
Similar to the above, even if the bitmap memory for one page cannot be secured depending on the device, it can be dealt with by creating a bitmap image by dividing the page.

The created bitmap image is transferred to the output unit 8 to output the image (step S8). It is determined whether or not there is data in the reception buffer 9 (step S
9) If there is data, the process is repeated from step S1. On the other hand, if there is no data, the process ends.

As described above, according to the image output apparatus of the present embodiment, when there is a redrawing instruction, the page memory 10 reserved for one page is called by calling the page command information for one page. Bitmap memory 11
Compared with the above, it is less necessary, so it is suitable for a device with a small memory capacity, and the data transfer time can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment] Next, an image output apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the page command information for one page is called when there is a redrawing instruction. However, the bitmap creation routine analyzes the page command and expands it into a bitmap image. Takes a long time to process.

Therefore, in the image output apparatus according to the second embodiment, when the bitmap memory for one page can be secured in the image output apparatus, the bitmap image data in the bitmap memory is called when redrawing is instructed. It is characterized by improving the processing speed. The hardware configuration of the image output apparatus in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the drawing processing procedure in the second embodiment. First, data is acquired from the reception buffer 9 (step S10). The image data in the received data is analyzed and edited in the page memory 10 page by page as individual commands that can be interpreted by the bitmap image creation routine (step S11).

The edited page data is analyzed by the bit map image creating routine and developed as a bit map image for one page in the bit map memory 11 (step S12). The bitmap image edited here is reserved until the bitmap image data of the next page is created.

The created bitmap image is transferred to the output unit 8 and the image is output (step S13). It is determined whether redrawing is instructed (step S1).
4). The method of instructing redrawing is an operation by the panel of the apparatus main body or an instruction by a command, as in the first embodiment.

If there is a redrawing instruction, step S12
The one-page bitmap image data stored in step S15 is acquired from the bitmap memory 11 (step S15). The acquired bitmap image is transferred to the output unit 8 and the image is output (step S16).

It is determined whether or not there is data in the reception buffer 9 (step S17). If there is data, the processing from step S10 is repeated. If there is no data, the process ends.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading out a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into a system or an apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0030]

According to the image output apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the receiving means receives the image data from the information processing apparatus, the image data storing means stores the received image data, and the replacing means causes the image data to be stored. Replace the stored image data with command information that can be internally interpreted for each page,
The command information storage means stores the command information for one page, the decompression means develops a bitmap image based on the stored command information, and the bitmap image storage means stores the decompressed bitmap image. Then, since the stored bitmap image is output by the output means, when redrawing is instructed,
By calling the page command data for one page reserved in the memory, the output time can be greatly shortened as compared with the conventional redrawing from the host computer. Therefore, data processing can be performed in a short time even if the amount of data is large.

According to the image output device of the second aspect, the instruction means for instructing to output the image data in which the bitmap image is output again, and the command information for one page of the instructed image data. And a command for acquiring the command information to develop into a bitmap image based on the acquired command information. Therefore, when a redrawing instruction is given, the page command data for one page reserved in the memory is stored. By calling, the output time can be greatly shortened as compared with the conventional redrawing from the host computer.

According to the third aspect of the image output apparatus, the receiving means for receiving the image data from the information processing apparatus, the image data storing means for storing the received image data, and the stored image data are used as the basis. In addition, since it is provided with a developing means for developing a bitmap image, a bitmap image storing means for storing the developed bitmap image for one page, and an outputting means for outputting the stored bitmap image, redrawing By calling the bitmap image data for one page reserved in the memory when issuing the command, it is possible to significantly reduce the output time compared to the conventional redrawing from the host computer. it can.

According to the image output device of the fourth aspect, the instruction means for instructing the image data on which the bitmap image is output again, and the bitmap for one page of the instructed image data. When the redrawing instruction is given, the image data for one page that has been reserved in the memory is called by the acquisition means for acquiring the image. The output time can be greatly shortened compared to drawing.

According to the image output method of the fifth aspect, command information capable of receiving image data from the information processing apparatus, storing the received image data, and internally interpreting the stored image data page by page. Stored in the command information for one page, expanded into a bitmap image based on the stored command information, stored in the expanded bitmap image, and output the stored bitmap image. Therefore, when instructing redrawing,
By calling the page command data for one page reserved in the memory, the output time can be greatly shortened as compared with the conventional redrawing from the host computer.

According to the sixth aspect of the image output system, in the image output system including the information processing apparatus and the image output apparatus, the image output apparatus includes receiving means for receiving image data from the information processing apparatus. Image data storage means for storing the received image data, replacement means for replacing the stored image data with command information that can be internally interpreted for each page, and command information storage means for storing the command information for one page. Developing means for developing a bitmap image based on the stored command information, bitmap image storing means for storing the developed bitmap image, and output means for outputting the stored bitmap image. Therefore, when redrawing is instructed, the page for one page reserved in the memory is By calling the command data, it is possible to shorten the substantial output time compared to redraw the conventional host computer as.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image output device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow in the image output device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a drawing processing procedure of a drawing processing program stored in a program ROM 5.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a drawing processing procedure according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 main body 2 host computer 3 CPU 7 built-in RAM 8 output unit 10 page memory 11 bitmap memory

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving image data from an information processing apparatus, an image data storing means for storing the received image data, and replacing the stored image data with command information that can be internally interpreted for each page. Replacement means, command information storage means for storing the command information for one page, expansion means for expanding the bitmap image based on the stored command information, and bits for storing the expanded bitmap image An image output device comprising a map image storage means and an output means for outputting the stored bitmap image. 2. An instruction means for instructing to output the image data to which the bitmap image has been output again, and an acquisition means for acquiring the command information for one page of the instructed image data, The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the image output device develops a bitmap image based on the acquired command information. 3. Receiving means for receiving image data from an information processing apparatus, image data storing means for storing the received image data, and developing means for developing a bitmap image based on the stored image data. An image output device comprising: a bitmap image storage means for storing the expanded bitmap image for one page; and an output means for outputting the stored bitmap image. 4. An instruction means for instructing to re-output the image data to which the bitmap image has been output, and an acquisition means for acquiring the bitmap image for one page of the instructed image data. The image output device according to claim 3, wherein 5. The image information is received from an information processing device, the received image data is stored, and the stored image data is replaced with command information that can be internally interpreted for each page, and the command information for one page is stored. Is stored, the bit map image is expanded based on the stored command information, the expanded bitmap image is stored, and the stored bitmap image is output. 6. An image output system including an information processing device and an image output device, wherein the image output device includes a receiving unit that receives image data from the information processing device, and image data that stores the received image data. Storage means, replacement means for replacing the stored image data with command information that can be internally interpreted for each page, command information storage means for storing the command information for one page, and the stored command information based on the stored command information. An image output system comprising: a rasterizing means for rasterizing a bitmap image, a bitmap image storage means for storing the rasterized bitmap image, and an output means for outputting the stored bitmap image.