Output apparatus

Abstract: There is provided an output apparatus for outputting an image pattern by dots on the basis of a vector font. The apparatus comprises: a memory to store co­ ordinate point data indicative of an outline of a pattern; a first mode to arrange into dots on the basis of the coordinate point data stored in the memory; a second mode to reduce the number of outline points than that in the first mode and to arrange into dots; a mode indicating device to indicate the first or second mode; and an output device to output dots in accordance with the first or second mode on the basis of the indication from the mode indicating device. By properly selecting the first or second mode, an image pattern can be displayed or printed by dots at a desired quality and a desired speed on the basis of the vector font.

Description: The present invention relates to an output apparatus for outputting dots on the basis of a vector font. Hitherto, in a printing apparatus which can print a vector font, the vector font is virtually designed by the matrix coordinate system of 500 x 500 or the like and the number of outline points of the vector font which are necessary to arrange into dots are fixedly thinned out (for instance, corresponding to 256 x 256) and the resultant outline points are output. However, in the case of printing a vector font, the conventional apparatus has the following drawbacks. When the number of outline points of the vector font increases, a burden by the coordinate calculation and a complicated algorithm increases, so that there is a problem such that it takes a long processing time. European Patent Application No. 0215664 discloses a method and apparatus for constructing storing and displaying characters on a video screen. The shape of the graphic character is displayed at various degrees of resolution. A graphic character is stored as a bit map or as coefficients of spline curves. The spline curves can be scaled up or down to give different character sizes. The coefficients can be converted to form pixelmaps which are rectangular arrays of pixels. The pixelmaps may have grey scale values. US Patent No. 4578689 discloses a dual mode laser printer utilizing a program-controlled microprocessor to switch between high resolution, slow speed mode and a low resolution, high speed mode. In the printer a laser beam is modulated at a rate which is a first division of a system clock rate. This beam is caused to focus on a recording medium and, due to a rotating multi-faceted polygon, the beam sweeps across the medium. The medium is moved according to a second division of the system clock. By means of the microprocessor, the printer can be in either: (1) the high resolution mode in which the laser beam is modulated at a high rate due to the first divided signal and the medium moves at a slow rate due to the second divided signal, or (2) the low resolution mode in which the light beam is modulated at a lower rate due to the first divided signal and the medium moves at a faster rate due to the second divided signal. The present invention provides an output apparatus comprising: vector memory means for storing in vector form data indicative of a pattern desired to be output; first converter means for converting the vector data into coordinate data defining a number of outline points indicative of an outline of the pattern, second converter means for converting the outline point coordinate data into bit map form; and output means for outputting a dot image in accordance with the bit map data generated by the second converter means, characterised by means for selecting between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, such that, for a given desired pattern, the number of outline points defined by the first coordinate data is fewer in the second mode than in the first mode. The invention also provides an output method comprising: a first converting step of generating, from vector data indicative of a pattern desired to be output, coordinate data defining a number of outline points indicative of an outline of the pattern; a second converting step of converting the outline point coordinate data into bit map form; and an output step of outputting a dot image in accordance with the bit map data defined by the second converting step, characterised by a mode selecting step for selecting between a first and second modes of operation, wherein the number of outline points generated by said first converting step is fewer in the second mode than in the first mode for a given desired pattern. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of a printing apparatus in an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of control points of a vector font; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a control point table in which the coordinates of the control points in Fig. 2 are stored; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example in the case of generating a train of points among the control points in Fig. 2; Figs. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example in the case where a sampling width is set under the conditions of Fig. 4 and dot train is generated among the control points; Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation in the case of printing a vector font (character "D") by selecting an appropriate mode; Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in another embodiment; and Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of an output device 27. [Embodiment] An embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of an output apparatus, for instance, a printing apparatus of the embodiment according to the invention. In the diagram, reference numeral 1 denotes a host computer for outputting print data and a print command from the outside. Reference numeral 2 indicates a printer of the embodiment. The printer 2 includes a microprocessor including an RAM and an ROM. Programs shown by flowcharts, which will be explained hereinlater, are stored in the printer. The printer 2 comprises: an interface 21 to transmit and receive data to/from the host computer 1; a vector font memory 22 in which information regarding vector fonts are stored; a dot arranger 23 to convert the vector font into dots; a point train generator 24 to generate a train of points of a curve portion of an outline of the vector font; a data bus 25; a controller 26 to execute the printing process and the control of the whole apparatus; and an output device 27 to form a permanent visible image onto a paper on the basis of data which was arranged into dots. Fig. 2 shows control points to generate a point train of an outline of a vector font. The diagram relates to the case of a character "D". X indicates control points of the outside outline. • represents control points of the inside outline. Those control points are numbered by 0 to 17, respectively. Fig. 3 shows a control point table in which the coordinate positions of the control points shown in Fig. 2 are stored. The table is stored in the vector font memory 22. In addition to the control point table, information indicative of the starts and ends of curves and the like are included in the memory 22. The control point table can be considered as a part of such information. Fig. 4 shows the conditions of an example in the case where a point train was generated from the control points 5 to 8 in Fig. 2. It is assumed that the curve from the control points 5 to 8 is approximated by a function P(t) = at 3 + bt 2 + ct + d (where, a, b, c and d are constants) of t and the interval between t of the control points 5 to 8 is set to h (constant). Figs. 5A and 5B show an example in the case where a sampling width (between t = 0 to t = h) is set and a point train was generated from the control points 5 to 8 under the conditions of Fig. 4. A relates to the case where the sampling width is set to h/10. As shown in the diagram, a train of nine points is generated. B relates to the case where the sampling width is set to h/5. As shown in the diagram, a train of four points is generated. As mentioned above, by changing the sampling width, the number of points to be generated in a train of points can be controlled. In the printing apparatus, in response to a command from the host computer 1, an appropriate number of outline points are generated from the information of the control points of the vector font. Selection can be made between a standard mode to arrange a font into dots on the hasis of that number of outline points and a draft mode with a reduced number of outline points relative to the standard mode and to convert the font into dots on the basis of the reduced number of outline points. These arranged dots are then printed by the output device 27. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation in the case of printing vector font (character "D") by selecting the mode as mentioned above. First, in step S1, an operating mode is selected by the host computer 1 and step S2 follows. In step S2, the control point table (Fig. 3) is extracted from the vector font memory 22 and the control points are read out. In the next step S3, the mode selected in step S1 is checked. If the standard print mode has been selected (step S4), step S5 follows and the sampling width for generation of a point train of a cubic spline curve is set to h/10 (h is a constant). Then, step S8 follows. (Figs. 4 and 5A) If the draft mode has been selected (step S6), step S7 follows and a sampling width for generation of a point train of a ternary spline curve is set to h/5 (h is a constant). Then, step S8 follows. (Figs. 4 and 5B) In step S8, the point train of the outline curve portion of the vector font is generated on the basis of the control points and sampling width which were obtained in step S2. Then, step S9 follows. On the basis of the point train obtained in step S9, the vector font is arranged into dots by the dot arranger 23 and is printed in step S10. As mentioned above, by changing the number of outline points of the vector font which are generated on the basis of the control points, the printing process can be simplified. [Another embodiment] Although the above embodiment has been described with respect to the example of the generation of a point train by the cubic spline curve, the invention can be also applied to other point train generating system which can change the number of points which are generated by changing the sampling width. Although the above embodiment has been described with respect to the example of the selection of the print mode from the host computer, the print mode can be also selected from the operation panel of the printer. On the other hand, although the above embodiment has been described with respect to the printing apparatus, the invention is not limited to it. For example, the output device 27 could be a display device, within the scope of the invention. In the case where both of the printing apparatus and the display device are connected to the data bus 25, it is also possible to construct the system in a manner such that, the output is automatically executed in the first mode for the print or the processing routine is automatically advanced to Fig. 6, while the output is performed in the second mode for display. Furthermore, means for switching whether the dot information obtained in the first mode is thinned out and output in a form of dots or the dot information which was thinned out in the second mode is derived can be also provided in the host computer or on the panel of the apparatus in addition to the above descriptions. Fig. 7 shows a flowchart for explaining the processes as mentioned above. A thinning-out ratio such as h/5, h/10, etc. can be also variably set into, for instance, h/8, ... by a key input or the like (not shown). As described above, it is possible to select the second print mode for reducing the number of outline points of the vector font and arranging into dots. The coordinate calculation, printing operation, and the like can be simplified as necessary. The total processing time can be reduced. [Constructional diagram of the printer 2] An outline of the output device 27 shown in Fig. 1 will now be described with reference to Fig. 8. Reference numeral 778 denotes a pulse width modulator (PWM). The PWM 778 converts a digital image signal from the dot arranger 23 shown in Fig. 1 into an analog image signal and compares the analog image signal with a triangular wave of a predetermined period, thereby forming a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The PWM signal is supplied to a laser output device 711 at the post stage. The PWM signal is used to form a gradation image by on/off modulating a laser beam. Reference numeral 711 indicates a scanner comprising: a laser output device to convert the image signal from the PWM 778 into the photo signal; a polygonal mirror 712 of a polyhedron (for instance, octahedron); a motor (not shown) to rotate the mirror 712; an f/ lens (image forming lens) 713; etc. Reference numeral 714 denotes a reflecting mirror to change a light path of a laser beam and 715 indicates a photo sensitive drum. The laser beam emitted from the laser output device is reflected by the polygonal mirror 712 and passes through the lens 713 and mirror 714 and linearly scans (raster scan) on the surface of the photo sensitive drum 715, thereby forming a latent image corresponding to an input image. Reference numeral 717 denotes a primary charging device; 718 a whole surface exposing lamp; 723 a cleaner section to collect the residual toner which was not copy transferred; and 724 a pre-copy transfer charging device. These components are arranged around the photo sensitive drum 715. Reference numeral 726 denotes a developing unit to develope an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photo sensitive drum 715 by the laser exposure; 731Y, 731M, 731C and 731Bk indicate developing sleeves which are come into contact with the drum 715 and directly develop the latent image; 730Y, 730M, 730C, and 730Bk represent toner hoppers to keep spare toners; and 732 screws to transport the developing agent. The developing unit 726 is constructed by the sleeves 731Y to 731Bk, toner hoppers 730Y to 730Bk, and screws 732. These components are arranged around a rotary shaft P of the developing unit. For instance, when a yellow toner image is formed, the yellow toner development is executed at the position shown in the diagram. When a magenta toner image is formed, the developing unit 726 is rotated around the shaft P in the diagram as a rotational center, thereby setting the developing sleeve 731M in the magenta developing device to the position which is come into contact with the photo sensitive drum 715. Cyan and black toner images are also formed in a manner similar to the above. Reference numeral 716 indicates a copy transfer drum to copy transfer the toner image formed on the photo sensitive drum 715 onto a paper; 719 indicates an actuator plate to detect a moving position of the copy transfer drum 716; 720 a home position sensor to detect that the copy transfer drum 716 has moved to the home position by approaching the actuator plate 719; 725 a copy transfer drum cleaner; 727 a paper pressing roller; 728 a discharging devices; and 729 a copy transfer charging device. The components 719, 720, 725, 727, 728 and 729 are arranged around the copy transfer drum 716. On the other hand, reference numerals 735 and 736 denote paper feed cassettes to enclose papers (cut sheets): 737 and 738 indicate paper feed rollers to feed the papers from the cassettes 735 and 736; and 739, 740, and 741 represent timing rollers to match the timings for feeding and conveying the paper. The paper which was fed and conveyed through those components is led to a paper guide 749. A front edge of the paper is grasped by a gripper and is wrapped around the copy transfer drum 716. The processing routine advances to the image forming process. Reference numeral 550 indicates a drum rotating motor for synchronously rotating the photo sensitive drum 715 and the copy transfer drum 716; 750 denotes a peeling-off claw to peel off the paper from the copy transfer drum 716 after completion of the image forming process; 742 a conveying belt to convey the paper which was peeled off; and 743 an image fixing section to fix the paper which was conveyed by the conveying belt 742. The image fixing section 743 has a pair of thermal pressure rollers 744 and 745.

Claims: An output apparatus comprising: vector memory means (22) for storing in vector form data indicative of a pattern desired to be output; first converter means (24) for converting the vector data into coordinate data defining a number of outline points indicative of an outline of the pattern, second converter means (23) for converting the outline point coordinate data into bit map form; and output means (27) for outputting a dot image in accordance with the bit map data generated by the second converter means, characterised by means (26) for selecting between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, such that, for a given desired pattern, the number of outline points defined by the first coordinate data is fewer in the second mode than in the first mode. An apparatus according to claim 1, further wherein said selecting means is responsive to information for selecting the first or second mode received from a host computer. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said selecting means is responsive to an operation panel of said apparatus. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said output means comprises a printer or a display device. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first mode is a printing mode and the second mode is a display mode. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the vector memory stores vector data for a character font. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the dot image represents a character. An output method comprising the steps of: a first converting step (S8) of generating, from vector data indicative of a pattern desired to be output, coordinate data defining a number of outline points indicative of an outline of the pattern; a second converting step (S9) of converting the outline point coordinate data into bit map form; and an output step (S10) of outputting a dot image in accordance with the bit map data defined by the second converting step, characterised by a mode selecting step (S3) for selecting between a first and second modes of operation, wherein the number of outline points generated by said first converting step is fewer in the second mode than in the first mode for a given desired pattern. A method according to claim 8, wherein said selecting step is performed in an output apparatus in response to selection information received from a host computer. A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said selecting step is performed in response to operation of an operation panel of an output apparatus. A method as claimed in claim 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein the output step is a printing step in the first mode and a display step in the second mode. A method according to claim 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein said vector data is read from a vector font memory. A method according to claim 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein the dot image represents a character.

Inventors: KAMADA SHUICHI, KAMADA, SHUICHI
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1990
Main classification: G06K15
IPC codes: G06K15, G06T11, G06F3, G09G5