JPH0879495A - Printer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a printer device which can print the images in a desired layout by preparing the interfaces against plural image sources to receive the information from a computer, the video sources, a scanner, etc. CONSTITUTION: A printer 7 itself is provided with interfaces 8 to 10 which can be connected to a computer 1, the video sources 3 to 5, a scanner 6, etc. An image memory 17 can store the code data or the bit map data which are acquired via the interfaces 8 to 10. A total control part 16 controls the interfaces 8 to 10 and the memory 17 and forms the record images in a desired layout. These record images can be printed by a printer engine part 18. In such a constitution, the images can be printed in a desired layout even though the computer 1 has no interface and without using any special editing software.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device for printing digital image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer device which is connected to a computer (or a word processor) and prints data (including not only internally generated data but also data read by a scanner) from a computer and a video signal are input. 2. Description of the Related Art A video printer or the like that prints one image in a video signal is known. These printer devices usually have one interface connectable to an image source such as a computer. Therefore, it has only the function of printing the print data from the image source.

It is often the case that it is desired to print a video image, character information, a scanned image, etc. on a sheet of paper with a desired layout. Conventionally, it has been necessary to provide an interface such as a video source and a scanner to a computer, take image information into the computer through these, and operate software capable of handling these image information. In other words, the character information generated by the computer, the data read by the scanner, and the layout of the video data are combined according to the software, recreated into one image file suitable for the printer software used, and then converted into data suitable for printing. , I was transferring this data from my computer to the printer.

[0004]

As described above, image data from a plurality of image sources are once collected in a computer, the image data and the data generated inside the computer are edited by software, and the edited data is obtained. The method of printing had the drawback that the computer had to have an interface for each image source and also required dedicated software. Further, since the computer has versatility, the operation of loading and editing image data by software becomes troublesome.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an interface for a plurality of image sources, a computer,
An object of the present invention is to provide a printer device having a function of being able to receive information from a video source, a scanner, etc., and to print the input information with a desired layout.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a plurality of interfaces for receiving code data or bitmap data from a plurality of image sources, respectively, and code combined with the plurality of interfaces and converted to bitmap data. Storage means for storing data or bitmap data, and code data or bitmap data stored in the storage means and converted into bitmap data from a plurality of interfaces are formed into a recorded image of a preset layout. And a printer section for receiving and printing the data signal of the recorded image.

Further, the present invention comprises a control means for determining a layout of a recorded image composed of code data or bit map data converted into bit map data from a plurality of interfaces stored in the storage means. The user can decide the desired layout.

[0008]

Function: Computer, video source,
An interface that can be connected to each scanner is provided. Further, an image memory capable of storing code data or bitmap data taken in through these interfaces, and a control unit for controlling the interface and the image memory and forming a recorded image of a desired layout are provided. Then, the recorded image of the layout can be printed by the printer unit. As a result, it is possible to print an image of a desired layout without the computer having an interface and without using special software for editing.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printer device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of a printer device. Reference numeral 1 is a computer, and 2 is a word processor 2. The computer 1 and the word processor 2 generate code data such as image information and character information. The code data is supplied to the print engine unit 12 via the computer interface 8 provided in the printer 7. 3 is a video camera. 4 is
It is a TV tuner. 5 is a VTR. The video camera 3, the television tuner 4, and the VTR 5 generate image information of a composite NTSC signal, for example. This image information is supplied to the print engine unit 12 via the video signal interface 9 provided in the printer 7. The signal format supplied to the video signal interface 9 can be a composite PAL signal, an S terminal signal, a Y color difference signal, a component RGB signal, a digital video signal, etc. in addition to the composite NTSC signal.

Reference numeral 6 is an externally connected scanner. The scanner 6 reads, for example, character information of a document or the like as bitmap data. This bitmap data is stored in the scanner interface 10 provided in the printer 7.
Is supplied to the print engine unit 12 via the. In addition,
When analog data is output from the scanner 6,
The scanner interface 10 converts the data into digital data. Reference numeral 11 is a built-in scanner provided in the printer 7. By incorporating the scanner in this way, the characteristics of the scanner can be known in advance. Based on this characteristic, various characteristics of the scanner (output characteristics such as hue, brightness, saturation, and gamma curve) can be corrected in advance. The built-in scanner 11 reads character information of a document or the like as bitmap data, like the external scanner 6. This bitmap data is supplied to the print engine unit 12. The print engine unit 12 prints the data supplied from each interface. In addition,
The computer 1 and the word processor 2, the computer interface 8, and the scanner 6 and the scanner interface 10 are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. In this way, each interface 8, 9, 1
0 and data supplied from the built-in scanner 11 are printed on one sheet of recording paper (plain paper, special paper, OHP paper, postcard, etc.) by the print engine unit 12.

In the above description, the computer interface 8, the video signal interface 9, the scanner interface 10 and the built-in scanner 11 are provided in the printer 7, but only two of them, for example, the video signal interface and the built-in scanner are used as the printer. It may be configured to be provided inside 7.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for realizing the printer device shown in the above principle diagram. The code data output from the computer 1 and the word processor 2 is supplied to the computer interface 8. The computer interface 8 is, for example, SCSI,
It handles interfaces such as Centronics and Bicentronics. The code data is the whole control unit 1
Image memory 1 after being converted to bitmap data in 6
7 is supplied. When the data supplied to the computer interface 8 is bitmap data,
The data is directly supplied to the image memory 17.

Video camera 3, TV tuner 4, VT
The image signal output from R5 is supplied to the video signal interface 9. Video signal interface 9
Is a composite NTSC signal (composite PAL signal, S terminal signal, Y color difference signal,
It also handles component RGB signals, digital video signals, etc.). Video signal interface 9
Then, when the supplied image signal is an analog image signal, only the image portion is digitized. This data is supplied to the image memory 17.

The bitmap data output from the scanner 6 is supplied to the scanner interface 10.
The scanner interface 10 handles interfaces such as SCSI. This data is stored in the image memory 1
7 is supplied.

The bitmap data output from the built-in scanner 11 is supplied to the built-in scanner control unit 14. The built-in scanner control unit 14 is bidirectionally connected to the built-in scanner drive unit 13. The data of the built-in scanner 11 is supplied to the image memory 17.

The overall control unit 16 includes a CPU, ROM, RA
It consists of M etc. When the interface control signal is supplied from the overall control unit 16 to each of the interfaces 8, 9 and 10, the respective interfaces 8, 9 and 10 take in image information and character information from the connected devices, and the respective data are stored. It is output to the image memory 17.
In addition, the overall control unit 16 to the built-in scanner control unit 14
When the scanner control signal is supplied to, the built-in scanner 13 is driven, and the bitmap data of the built-in scanner 11 is supplied to the image memory 17.

The image data for one sheet of recording paper stored in the image memory 17 is output to the monitor 20 via the man-machine interface 15. In addition, the man-machine interface 15 and the image memory 17 include
Are controlled by the man-machine control signal and the generated image data signal. The array position of each data with respect to the monitor 20 is preset by, for example, a key input supplied to the man-machine interface 15.
Further, the user can replace the desired data array position on the monitor 20 displayed at the preset position by key input. Further, the overall control unit 16 generates a plurality of sentences of a certain predetermined pattern, and a desired sentence can be selected by key input. This sentence is stored in the image memory 17 as character information and is displayed on the monitor 20.

Here, for example, when the print key is pressed by the user, the monitor 2 is activated by the image data signal output from the image memory 17 to the print engine controller 18.
The data of the image memory 17 displayed at 0 is supplied to the print engine control unit 18. At the same time, a control signal is supplied from the overall control unit 16 to the print engine control unit 18. When a print engine control signal is communicated between the print engine control unit 18 and the print engine drive unit 19, a print image data signal is output from the print engine control unit 18 to the print engine unit 12. As a result, a desired image is printed on one sheet of recording paper. The print engine unit 12 is, for example, a full color printer. Other than this, for example, a monochromatic binary printer, a monochromatic multi-printer, a multi-color multi-printer, etc. can be used. The printing method is, for example, an inkjet method. In addition to this, for example, a sublimation type thermal transfer method, a heat melting method (a method of printing by applying heat to a paint applied on an ink film), an electrophotographic method and a method of a chemical reaction (heat is applied or liquid is applied) Method) can also be used.

In the above description, the data input via a plurality of interfaces is described to be printed at the same time, but it is also possible to print these data separately. Further, as the configuration of the image memory 17, data other than the data supplied from the video signal interface 9 may be stored in a ring buffer format.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the screen displayed on the monitor 20 before the layout is changed. On the monitor 20, a recording paper area 21 showing an area of a recording paper to be printed by this printer device, a computer data area 23 showing data inputted via the computer interface 8, and a video signal interface 9 are inputted. Video signal data area 2 showing data
4, a scanner data area 25 showing data input via the scanner interface 10 and an embedded scanner data area 26 showing data input from the embedded scanner 11. Reference numeral 27 denotes a cursor, which is moved in the monitor 20 by a user's key input. If there is data 22 (internal data) generated inside the printer 7, this data is displayed in the recording paper area 21. Further, on this screen, the externally connected scanner 6 does not capture any data. Therefore, no data is supplied to the scanner data area 25.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the screen after the layout of the data shown in FIG. 3 has been changed. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the computer data area 23
Data, the video signal data area 24 data, and the built-in scanner data area 26 data are stored in the recording paper area 21. Thus, the data shown in the recording paper area 21 is the data to be finally printed out.

5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are flow charts relating to the operation of the printer device according to the present invention. It should be noted that this flowchart includes a process in which the user processes the data displayed on the monitor and rearranges the data at a desired position. When the operation is started in step S0, the man-machine interface 15 selects a desired interface from the computer interface 8, the video signal interface 9, the scanner interface 10 and the built-in scanner 11.
Further, the character / image information generated in the printer 7 is selected (step S1). In step S2, it is determined whether the computer interface 8 is used. If the computer interface 8 is used, the device connected to the computer interface 8 is set to the character code / bitmap data transmission ready state by the computer interface signal (step S3). On the other hand, in step S2,
If the computer interface 8 is not used, it is determined whether the video signal interface 9 is used (step S4). If the video signal interface 9 is used, and if the printer 7 can output a control signal indicating whether or not preparation is completed to the externally connected device, the video camera 3, the television tuner 4,
The VTR 5 is set to the video signal transmission preparation state (step S5).

On the other hand, if the video signal interface 9 is not used in step S4, it is determined whether or not the scanner interface 10 is used (step S6). If the scanner interface 10 is used, the externally connected scanner is set to the original reading preparation state (step S7). On the other hand, if the scanner interface 10 is not used in step S6, it is determined whether the built-in scanner 11 is used (step S8). If the built-in scanner 11 is used, the built-in scanner 11 is set to the original reading preparation state (step S).
9). On the other hand, if the built-in scanner 11 is not used, the process returns to step S1.

In steps S3, S5, S7 and S9, if the devices connected to the respective interfaces are set to the ready state, it is again confirmed whether all the selected interfaces are in the ready state ( Step S10). If not in the ready state, the process proceeds to step S1.
Return to On the other hand, if it is in the ready state, it means that all the selected input devices are ready for operation, and it is determined in step S11 whether or not there is internal data generated inside the printer. If there is internal data to be generated, the information is displayed on the monitor in step S12, and the process proceeds to step S20. If there is no generated internal data, step S12 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, it is determined whether the computer interface 8 is used. If the computer interface 8 is used, the code data from the computer or word processor is expanded into bit map data and stored in the image memory 17 in step S21. Then, in step S22, all or part of the data on the image memory is converted (for example, reduced or enlarged) by the user's key input, and displayed on the monitor position designated in advance. On the other hand, if the computer interface 8 is not used in step S20, it is determined whether the video signal interface 9 is used (step S23). If the video signal interface 9 is used, the video signal is digitized and converted into bitmap data. Then, it is stored in the image memory 17. In step S25, the data stored in the image memory 17 is converted (for example, reduced or enlarged) by the key input of the user, and all or part of the data in the image memory is displayed at a predetermined monitor position. It

On the other hand, if the video signal interface 9 is not used in step S23, it is determined whether or not the scanner interface 10 is used (step S26). If the scanner interface 10 is used, in step S27, the externally connected scanner operates to read the original. Then, this data is received by the scanner interface 10 as bitmap data, and the image memory 1
Stored in 7. Then, in step S28, the data stored in the image memory 17 is converted into all or part of the data in the image memory by a user's key input, and is displayed at a predetermined position on the monitor. If the scanner interface 10 is not used in step S26, it is determined whether the built-in scanner 11 is used (step S29). If the built-in scanner 11 is used, the built-in scanner operates and the original is read in step S30. Then, this data is stored in the image memory 17 as bitmap data. After that, in step S31, the data stored in the image memory 17 is converted into all or part of the data in the image memory by a user's key input, and is displayed at a predetermined position on the monitor. After steps S22, S25, S28 and S31, the process of step S32 is performed.

In step S32, it is determined whether or not the information from all the selected interfaces is displayed on the monitor 20. If not displayed, the process returns to step S20. On the other hand, if displayed, it means that the preparation for the layout change is completed, and the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, the display image to be converted from the display image from each interface displayed on the monitor 20 or the internal data generated and displayed inside the printer by key input through the man-machine interface 15. Is selected, and its position, size, etc. are set. Then, in step S41, it is determined whether to move the selected display image. If the display image is moved, the process proceeds to step S42. In step S42, the position at which the display image is newly arranged in the image of one recording sheet on the monitor 20 is designated by the user's key operation. As a result, the selected display image is moved via the man-machine interface 15. Then, the selected display image is moved to the newly designated position and displayed on the monitor 20 (step S4).
3).

On the other hand, if the selected display image is not moved in step S41, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, it is determined whether or not to perform processing such as enlargement / reduction / rotation on the selected display image.
If processing is to be performed, in step S45, the ratio and the rotation angle for enlarging / reducing the display image selected via the man-machine interface are specified by the user's key input while the position of the origin of the display image is fixed. afterwards,
In step S46, the selected display image is enlarged / reduced based on the designated enlargement / reduction ratio.
Alternatively, the selected display image is rotated based on the designated rotation angle. The display image subjected to such processing is displayed on the monitor 20.

Here, from step S40 to step S4
Processing up to 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. 10 shows an example of a screen displayed on the monitor 20 until the video signal is moved, and FIG. 11 shows an enlarged screen of the moved video signal and the monitor until the character data generated by the printer 7 is moved. FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen displayed on the monitor 20, and FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen displayed on the monitor 20 until the computer data is moved and the scanner data is moved and reduced. First, in FIG. 10A, the video data shown in the video data area 24 to be edited is selected (corresponding to step S40). Next, the arrangement position of the video signal in the recording paper area 21 is designated by the user's key input (step S).
41 and 42). Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the video signal is moved to the designated position on the recording paper area 21 (corresponding to step S43). At this point, not all layouts have been completed, so the process returns to step S40.

The video signal moved onto the recording paper area 21 is subjected to the processing of steps S44 to S46. As a result, the video signal is enlarged and displayed as shown in FIG. 11A. Thereafter, the process returns to step S40.
Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, the processes of steps S44 to S46 are repeated in order to move the internal data. Even at this point, not all layouts have been completed, so the process returns from step S47 to step S40.

In order to move the data shown in the computer data area 23 to the position shown in FIG. 12A, the processes of steps S42 and S43 are performed. Then, the process returns to step S40. Next, in order to move the scanner data in the scanner data area 26 to the position shown in FIG. 12B, the processes of steps S42 and S43 are performed, and the scanner data is moved to the position shown in 26a. In this case, since the scanner data is reduced, the steps S47 to S40 and S41 are performed, and the step S4 is performed.
The processing of 4 to step S46 is performed. As a result, the data for one sheet of recording paper as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed on the monitor 20 as an image image to be printed. Then, in step S47, it is determined that all the layouts are completed, and the process proceeds to step S50.

In step S50, it is determined whether the computer interface 8 is used. If the computer interface 8 is used, an externally connected device such as a computer is again set to the character code / bitmap data transmission ready state by the computer interface signal (step S5).
1). If the computer interface 8 is not used in step S50, the process proceeds to step S5.
Go to 2.

In step S52, it is determined whether the scanner interface 10 is used. If the scanner interface 10 is used, the externally connected scanner is set again in the original reading preparation state (step S53). On the other hand, if the scanner interface 10 is not used in step S52, the processing is
It proceeds to step S54.

In step S54, the built-in scanner 1
It is determined whether 1 is used. If the built-in scanner 11 is used, the built-in scanner 11 is set again in the original reading preparation state (step S5).
5). In step S54, the built-in scanner 11
If is not used, the process returns to step S50. In the processing of steps S50 to S55, there is no determination as to "whether or not the video signal interface 9 is used", because at this point, a video signal for one screen has already been taken into the image memory 17. This is because the second acquisition as print data is not required. On the other hand, in a computer, a word processor, a scanner, etc., it is necessary to capture the data a second time as print data.

After steps S51, S53 and S55, the process of step S56 is performed. In step S56, the readiness status of all the selected interfaces is confirmed. If not in the ready state, the process returns to step S50. On the other hand, in the ready state, the print preparation is completed, and the process proceeds to step S57. In step S57, the print engine control unit 18 sets the print engine unit 12 and the print engine drive unit 19 in a ready state. In this way, when the print engine unit 12 and the print engine drive unit 19 are in the ready state, the process proceeds to step S60.

In step S60, it is determined whether the computer interface 8 is used. If the computer interface 8 is used, the process of step S61 is performed. In step S61, each information from an externally connected device such as a computer or a word processor is transferred to the printer based on the image transfer request signal (included in the computer interface signal) from the printer 7. The character code is expanded into bitmap data and stored in the image memory 17. on the other hand,
If the computer interface 8 is not used in step S60, the process proceeds to step S62.

In step S62, it is determined whether the scanner interface 10 is used. If the scanner interface 10 is used, step S
The process of 63 is performed. In step S63, the data read by the externally connected scanner is transferred to the printer as bitmap data based on the image transfer request signal (included in the scanner interface signal) from the printer 7. This data is stored in the image memory 17
Stored in. On the other hand, if the scanner interface 10 is not used in step S62, the process proceeds to step S64.

In step S64, the built-in scanner 1
It is determined whether 1 is used. If the built-in scanner 11 is used, the built-in scanner 11 is driven and, if necessary, saved in the image memory 17 as bitmap data (step S65). Step S6
In 4, the built-in scanner 11 is not used, the process proceeds to step S66.

In step S66, it is determined whether data is generated inside the printer 7. If no internal data is generated, the process returns to step S60. On the other hand, if the internal data is generated, the bit map data of the internal data is generated and stored in the image memory 17 in step S67, if necessary.

Steps S61, S63, S65 and S6
After step 7, the process of step S68 is performed. In step S68, it is determined whether each data has been created as a certain fixed amount of data suitable for printing. If the data has not reached the certain amount, the process returns to step S60. On the other hand, if the data has reached a certain amount, the process proceeds to step S69.

In step S69, each data stored in the image memory 17 is rearranged into an image to be actually printed based on the layout position information or the enlargement / reduction / rotation angle information corresponding to each image data. . The data is output to the print engine controller 19. In step S70, the data supplied to the print engine drive unit 19 is converted into data suitable for the print engine unit 12, and is output to the print engine unit 12 as print image data. The print engine drive unit 19 causes the print engine unit 12 to print the supplied data for one sheet as print image data. In step S71, it is determined whether or not the printing for one sheet is completed. If not completed, the process returns to step S60, and if completed, a series of processes is completed.

[0042]

Since the present invention has a plurality of interfaces, it is not necessary for the computer to have a plurality of interfaces. Further, the present invention can print code data or bitmap data from a plurality of image sources with a preset layout or a desired layout determined by the user. No need to install. Therefore, according to the present invention, in addition to the printer, a device having a plurality of interfaces and having a function of editing and synthesizing input information from them can be eliminated. In other words, a basic computer can be used and no special software is required.

Further, as in the above-described embodiment, by incorporating a scanner, various characteristics suitable for the scanner (output characteristics such as gamma curve, hue, brightness, and saturation) are corrected in advance. This has the advantage that optimum printing can be performed easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of a printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a monitor before a layout change.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a monitor after a layout change.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to the operation of the printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to the operation of the printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart regarding the operation of the printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart relating to the operation of the printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart relating to the operation of the printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a monitor when moving a video signal.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a monitor when a video signal is enlarged and character data generated by a printer is moved.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a monitor when moving computer data and moving and reducing scanner data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 Computer Interface 9 Video Signal Interface 10 Scanner Interface 11 Embedded Scanner 12 Print Engine 17 Image Memory 20 Monitor

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Junko Ikegami 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Koichiro Kakinuma 6-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of interfaces for respectively receiving code data or bitmap data from a plurality of image sources, and the code data or the bitmap data combined with the plurality of interfaces and converted into bitmap data. And storing the code data or the bitmap data converted into the bitmap data from the plurality of interfaces, which are stored in the storage means, into a recorded image of a preset layout. And a printer unit for receiving and printing the data signal of the recorded image. 2. A plurality of interfaces for respectively receiving code data or bitmap data from a plurality of image sources, and the code data or the bitmap data combined with the interfaces and converted into bitmap data. For determining the layout of a recorded image composed of the code data or the bitmap data converted into the bitmap data from the plurality of interfaces stored in the storage means. A printer apparatus comprising: a control unit and a printer unit for receiving and printing the data signal of the recorded image. 3. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image sources are at least two of a computer, a video source, and an image scanner. 4. The printer device according to claim 1, further comprising an integrally formed internal scanner as an image source. 5. The printer device according to claim 2, wherein the control means includes a man-machine interface, a computer, and a display, and the layout is displayed on the display. apparatus.