EP0919909A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Image processor
Assignee: Canon Finetech Nisca Inc
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Filing: 1997-03-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A data communication unit (1) receives input image data of a first data format which comprises coordinate data of the end points of vectors forming an image and various modifying information of the vectors, and stores them in an input buffer (2). A data analyzer unit (3) converts the input image data into image data of a second data format and stores the data in a storage unit (6). The second data format holds the various modifying information independently of the coordinate data of the end points, decreasing the amount of data compared with the first data format. Based on the image data of the second data format, the data analyzer unit (3) generates, in a band-by-band manner, intermediate codes comprising coordinate data that constitute the contours of the vectors reflecting the various modifying information. The intermediate codes are converted into corresponding raster data in a band-by-band manner, and are printed as an image by a printer unit (10).
Inventors
- 👤 Kazumi Kobayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:11
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J5/00; B41J5/30; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/12; G06F3/1201; G06F3/1202; G06F3/1218; G06F3/122; G06F3/1223; G06F3/1237; G06F3/1244; G06F3/1245; G06F3/1278; G06F3/1285; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06F3/1247; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/0005; G06K2215/0014; G06K2215/0062; G06K2215/0065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An image processor for forming an image in a band-by-band
manner, comprising: a data format conversion means for converting input image
data of a first data format into image data of a second data
format, said input data of the first data format including
coordinate data of end points of respective vectors
constituting an image and various modifying information, and
the second data format reducing data amount compared to said
first data format; a storage means for storing an entirety of said image
data of the second data format obtained by said data format
conversion means; an intermediate code production means for producing
intermediate codes, which include coordinate data constituting
contours of the respective vectors on which said various
modifying information has been reflected, in the band-by-band
manner based on said image data of the second data format; and a raster data production means for converting, in the
band-by-band manner, said intermediate codes into
corresponding raster data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
The image processor according to claim 1, wherein in
said second data format, a group of vectors connected in
series are defined by coordinate data of the end points of the
vectors, and wherein only a head end point of the first one of
the vectors is represented by absolute coordinates while the
rest of the end points of the vectors are represented by
relative coordinates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The image processor according to claim 2, wherein the
coordinate data of said second data format is data of variable
length, the coordinate data of each coordinate point being
added, at a head thereof, with index data of a fixed length
which indicate a data length of the coordinate data and
whether the coordinate is absolute or relative coordinate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The image processor according to claim 3, wherein
when a plurality of coordinate data of a same type
successively appear, said index data are omitted with respect
to a second and the following coordinate data of the plurality
of coordinate data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image processor according to claim 3, wherein in
said second data format, said coordinate data and said index
data are distinguished from each other by a head bit of unit
data of a predetermined plurality of bits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image processor according to claim 3, wherein in
said second data format, said various modifying information
include pen attribute data of a fixed length, at the head of
which another index data of a fixed length is added for
distinguishing the same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image processor according to claim 6, wherein in
said second data format, said pen attribute data is added only
to the coordinate data of a vector whose modifying information
are different from that of a previous vector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image processor according to claim 1, wherein
values of the coordinate data of said first data format are
represented by character data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image processor according to claim 1, wherein
said intermediate codes include, for each band, a band number,
the number of horizontal segments of a contour of each vector,
and coordinate data of each of the horizontal segments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The image processor according to claim 1, wherein
said intermediate code production means comprises means for
using a user-specified modifying information in preference to
said various modifying information in the image data of said
second data format, according to a user's instruction, when
producing said intermediate codes on the basis of the image
data of said second data format.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image processor according to claim 1, further
comprising means for changing a piece of modifying information
specified by a user among said various modifying information
placed in the image data of said second data format which are
stored in said storage means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The image processor according to claim 1, further
comprising means for determining positions and orientations of
a plurality of images on a paper sheet, when said intermediate
code production means produce said intermediate codes on the
basis of the image data of said second data format.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
The image processor according to claim 12, wherein
said data format conversion means detect the size of an input
image, based on said input image data, to put image size data
indicating the detected size into the image data of said
second data format, and wherein said means for determining
positions and orientations determining the positions and
orientations determine the positions and orientations in
reference to said image size data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image processor according to claim 1, further
comprising means for enlarging/reducing an image, when said
intermediate code production means produce said intermediate
codes on the basis of the image data of said second data
format.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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