Output apparatus in which a plurality of images having a plurality of accuracy of colors are output to output devices having different accur

What is claimed is:

1. An output control apparatus in which a plurality of images having a plurality of accuracy of colors are output to output devices which have different accuracy of colors, respectively, comprising:

a setting means for setting an accuracy of colors of a storage means to correspond to an accuracy of colors of an output device;

a processing means for processing a change of colors of each of the plurality of images having the plurality of accuracy of colors, for each to correspond to the accuracy of colors of the output device as set by said setting means, and for storing in said storage means the plurality of images with change of colors; and

an output means for outputting to the output device the plurality of images with change of colors which are stored in said storage means.

2. An output control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an output device for visibly outputting the the plurality of images with change of colors output by said output means.

3. An output control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said output device is a printer or display device.

4. An output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accuracy of colors is 1 bit indicating black and white, 8 bits indicating a quasi-color and 24 bits indicating a full-color.

5. An output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is written based on document information including text, figure and image data.

6. An output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document data consists of text data which consists of a character code, font, size, and color information.

7. An output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document data consists of graphic data which consists of graphic data of an original coordinate system and color information.

8. An output control method in which a plurality of images having a plurality of accuracy of colors are output to output devices which have different accuracy of colors, respectively, comprising:

a setting step of setting an accuracy of colors of a storage device to correspond to an accuracy of colors of an output device;

a processing step of processing a change of colors of each of the plurality of images having the plurality of accuracy of colors, for each to correspond to the accuracy of colors of the output device as set by said setting step, and for storing in the storage device the plurality of images with change of colors; and

an output step of outputting to the output device the plurality of images with change of colors which are stored in the storage means.

9. A method according to claim 8, including the step of:

visibly outputting the plurality of images with change of colors.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said output device is a printer or display device.

11. An output control method according to claim 8, wherein the accuracy of colors is 1 bit indicating black and white, 8 bits indicating a quasi-color and 24 bits indicating a full-color.

12. An output control method according to claim 8, wherein said output device is a printer or display device.

13. An output control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image data is written based on document information including text, figure and image data.

14. An output control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the document data consists of text data which consists of a character code, font, size, and color information.

15. An output control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the document data consists of graphic data which consists of graphic data of an original coordinate system and color information.

16. An output control apparatus comprising:

writing means for writing bit-map data for a segment, wherein one page is divided into a plurality of segments in a direction of sub-scanning; and

determining means for determining a size of said segment to be written as bit-map data by said writing means in accordance with an accuracy of colors.

17. An output control apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:

output means which outputs bit-mapped data written by said writing means.

18. An output control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said output means outputs bit-map data to a file.

19. An output control apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said bit-map data is written based on character data, image data and/or figure data.

20. An output control apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the text data consists of a character code, font, size, and color information.

21. An output control apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the graphic data consists of graphic data of an original coordinate system and color information.

22. An output control apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the accuracy of colors is 1 bit indicating black and white, 8 bits indicating a quasi-color and 24 bits indicating a full-color.

23. An output control apparatus according to claim 1 or 16, further comprising:

input means for inputting an instruction of an operator.

24. An output control apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said input means is a keyboard.

25. An output control method comprising the steps of:

writing bit-map data for a segment, wherein one page is divided into a plurality of segments in a direction of sub-scanning;

determining a size of said segment to be written as bit-map data by said writing step in accordance with an accuracy of colors.

26. The output control method according to claim 25, including the step of:

outputting bit-map data written by said writing step.

27. The output control method according to claim 26, wherein said output step outputs bit-map data to a file.

28. An output control method according to claim 25, wherein said bit-map data is written based on character data, image data and/or figure data.

29. An output control method according to claim 28, wherein the text data consists of a character code, font, size, and color information.

30. An output control method according to claim 28, wherein the graphic data consists of graphic data of an original coordinate system and color information.

31. An output control apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the accuracy of colors is 1 bit indicating black and white, 8 bits indicating a quasi-color and 24 bits indicating a full-color.

32. An output control method according to claim 8 or 25, further comprising the step of:

inputting an instruction of an operator.

33. An output control method according to claim 32, wherein in said inputting step the operator uses a keyboard for inputting the instruction.

34. An output control apparatus comprising:

writing means for writing bit-map data for a segment, wherein one page is divided into a plurality of segments in a direction of sub-scanning; and

determining means for determining a size of a segment to be written as bit-map data by said writing means in accordance with a number of bits representing one pixel of the bit-map data.

35. An output control apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising:

output means which outputs bit-mapped data written by said writing means.

36. An output control apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said output means outputs bit-map data to a file.

37. An output control means according to claim 35, wherein said output means is a printer or a display.

38. An output control apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the bit-map data is written based on character data, image data and/or figure data.

39. An output control apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the character data consists of a character code, font, size, and color information.

40. An output control apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the image data consists of graphic data of an original coordinate system and color information.

41. An output control apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising:

input means for inputting an instruction of an operator.

42. An output control apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said input means is a keyboard.

43. An output control apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the number of bits is one of 1 bit, 8 bits, and 24 bits.

44. An output control method comprising:

a writing step of writing bit-map data for a segment, wherein one page is divided into a plurality of segments in a direction of sub-scanning; and

a determining step of determining a size of a segment to be written as bit-map data by said writing step in accordance with a number of bits representing one pixel of the bit-map data.

45. An output control method according to claim 44, further comprising:

an output step of outputting bit-mapped data written by said writing means.

46. An output control method according to claim 45, wherein said output steps is performed by a printer or a display.

47. An output control method according to claim 45, wherein said output step outputs bit-map data to a file.

48. An output control method according to claim 44, wherein the bit-map data is written based on character data, image data and/or figure data.

49. An output control method according to claim 48, wherein the character data consists of a character code, font, size, and color information.

50. An output control method according to claim 48, wherein the image data consists of graphic data of an original coordinate system and color information.

51. An output control method according to claim 44, further comprising:

an input step of inputting an instruction of an operator.

52. An output control method according to claim 51, wherein said input is performed using a keyboard.

53. An output control method according to claim 44, wherein the number of bits is one of 1 bit, 8 bits, and 24 bits.

54. A computer readable medium having recorded thereon codes for implementing a computer implementable method of controlling an output control apparatus, comprising:

a writing step of writing bit-map data for a segment, wherein one page is divided into a plurality of segments in a direction of sub-scanning; and

a determining step of determining a size of a segment to be written as bit-map data by said writing step in accordance with a number of bits representing one pixel of the bit-map data.

55. A medium according to claim 54, further comprising:

an output step of outputting bit-mapped data written by said writing means.

56. A medium according to claim 55, wherein said output step outputs bit-map data to a file.

57. A medium according to claim 55, wherein said output step is performed by a printer or a display.

58. A medium according to claim 54, wherein the bit-map data is written based on character data, image data and/or figure data.

59. A medium according to claim 58, wherein the character data consists of a character code, font, size, and color information.

60. A medium according to claim 58, wherein the image data consists of graphic data of an original coordinate system and color information.

61. A medium according to claim 54, further comprising;

an input step of inputting an instruction of an operator.

62. A medium according to claim 61, wherein said input step is performed using a keyboard.

63. A medium according to claim 54, wherein the number of bits is one of 1 bit, 8 bits, and 24 bits.

64. A computer readable medium having recorded thereon codes for implementing a computer implementable output control method in which a plurality of images having a plurality of accuracy of colors are output to output devices which have different accuracy of colors, respectively, comprising:

a setting step of setting an accuracy of colors of a storage device to correspond to an accuracy of colors of an output device;

a processing step of processing a change of colors of each of the plurality of images having the plurality of accuracy of colors, for each to correspond to the accuracy of colors of the output device as set by said setting step, and for storing in the storage device the plurality of images with change of colors; and

an output step of outputting to the output device the plurality of images with change of colors which are stored int eh storage means.

65. A computer readable medium having recorded thereon codes for implementing a computer implementable method of controlling an output control apparatus comprising:

a writing step of writing bit-map data for a segment, wherein one page is divided into a plurality of segments in a direction of sub-scanning; and

a determining step of determining a size of the segment to be written as bit-map data by said writing step in accordance with an accuracy of colors .

Description Submit all comments and votes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a document processing apparatus for creating and editing documents.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are two systems for performing the process of calculating the position where characters should optimally be arranged on a given page, that is, for performing a composition process, using recently developed document processing apparatuses, particularly those used in the DTP field.

One system is the What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) system. Widely available types of word processors correspond to this system. This is a system in which the user inputs characters of a certain size to a position corresponding to the final printing shape (layout) while the user is watching the shape on a screen. This system has the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

Because the user inputs characters while watching the final screen, he is able to create any document he wishes.

Excellent user interface

Short documents can be easily created.

Disadvantages

It is difficult to treat bulk documents in a standardized manner. (For instance, it is difficult to write an entire chapter using a fixed character size.)

A process similar to a batch process is required to create contents and indexes.

It is difficult to reuse documents in other systems.

A device exclusively for use with this system is required.

The other type of system is a batch-type system. The TEX created by Professor Knuth at Stanford University and the roff system developed by AT & T correspond to this system (refer to "Document Shaping Language" in Information Process, pages 559 to 654, by Izumi Kimura, July, 1981). FIG. 2 shows a process used in this system. A text editor 50 creates a source file 51 containing an instruction for composing a document. The source file 51 is then compiled to create an intermediate file 53 which stores the results of the composition. The results are displayed on a screen 54 or output on a printer 55.

This system has the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

Bulk documents can be easily treated in a standardized manner.

A function for creating contents and indexes is easily adopted.

The system is capable of being operated even on workstations (WS's) having standard text terminals.

Disadvantages

Because the system is of a document program type, it is difficult for laymen to operate it.

The results of the process cannot be confirmed unless they are compiled and displayed.

Short documents are more easily created by the WYSIWYG system than by this system.

As understood from these comparisons, the WYSIWYG and batch-type document processing systems each have advantages and disadvantages. These systems have been expanded in recent years to solve their own disadvantages. The WYSIWYG system has adopted some of the advantages of the batch-type system: for example, a batch process for contents and indexes has been added, and a style sheet has also been added to create a document in which all the pages have the same page style. On the other hand, in the batch-type system, a structured editor is used so that the user can know the type of command to be entered next time through an icon or other means, rather than the user having to directly prepare a program for documents.

Thus, recent document composing processes have become hybrids of the WYSIWYG system and the batch-type system.

In most cases, both systems create documents in monochrome, except for special cases, such as when slides or OHP's are used.

It has hitherto been difficult for the batch-type system in particular to introduce color images and graphic forms into a document in a manner independent of the type of device used.

However, because of recent development in color monitors and advanced functions of peripheral equipment, there has been a demand for a previewer which handles color documents mixed with texts, images and graphic forms, that is, which displays the results of printing and composition.

Even when color texts, images and graphic forms can be utilized by a system according to its own method, data cannot be completely exchanged with other systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. An object of the invention is to provide a document processing apparatus capable of editing color texts and images, and of outputting the results of the editing so that the document can conform to the performance of a display device or a printing device connected to the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a document processing apparatus, connected to a display device or a printing device, which creates a document in which a color text, image, and graphic form are shaped and composed. According to one aspect of the invention is provided such an apparatus which comprises indicating means for indicating how the color text, image, and graphic form are shaped and composed, in a manner independent of the types of display and printing devices; processing means for shaping and composing the document including the color text, image, and graphic form on the basis of the contents of the indicating means; and output control means for outputting the composed document including the color text, image, and graphic form so that the document can conform to the performance of the display or printing device.

A further object is to provide a document processing apparatus in which processing means shapes and composes a document including a text, image and graphic form on the basis of the contents of indicating means, and such an apparatus is provided according to another aspect of the invention. When the document is output to a display device or a printing device, these devices are controlled so that the document can conform to the performance of the devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a document processing apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the processing flow of the conventional batch type system;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the main flow in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a color data base;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the principle of adjusting the space between characters;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the structure of data in a file containing the results of composition;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for displaying documents;

FIG. 8 is a view showing contents to be changed on the basis of an original image and an image on a display device;

FIGS. 9(A) to 9(D) are views showing how a display memory is used based on the contents illustrated in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing steps of creating a printing file when outputting in a printed form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a document processing apparatus according to the preferred embodiment.

In FIG. 1, numeral 1 denotes a storage unit for storing programs for the processes performed by the document processing apparatus (shown in FIGS. 7 and 10); numeral 2, a storage unit for storing data required for the processes of the apparatus; numeral 3, an external storage unit for storing data input to or to be output from the apparatus; and numeral 4, a CPU for performing the processes in accordance with the programs, etc. stored in the storage unit 1. Numeral 6 denotes a multi-window system for displaying the results of the processes performed by the document processing apparatus; numeral 7, a printer for printing the results of the processes; numeral 8, a mouse for inputting commands from the user; and numeral 9, a keyboard with which the user prepares programs and inputs commands to the apparatus.

In the storage unit 1, numeral 11 designates a document formater (composition program) which inputs data from a composition source file 31 and a font metric data file 32, and information on remaining usable space in an image data file 35 and a graphic data file 36, all of which are described later. The document formater 11 then outputs these data to a device independent (DVI) file 34 containing the result of composition. Numeral 12 designates a previewer for displaying the results of the composition on the multi-window system 6. These results are based on the inputs of the DVI file 34, a font data file 33, the image data file 35, and the graphic data file 36, which are all created by the document formater 11. Numeral 13 designates a printing driver (program exclusively used for printing) for outputting the results of the composition onto the printer 7. Numeral 14 designates a window server program for operating the multi-window system 6, and numeral 15, a spooler for printing in accordance with the order in which a printing command is started when it is issued.

In the storage unit 2, numeral 21 indicates an event queue for queuing requests at the window system 6. The user makes these requests using the mouse 8 and the keyboard 9. When the printer (recording device) 7, not equipped with a page descriptive language, such as Post Script, is used to make a record, a host computer must create an image of a given page. Numeral 23 indicates a page memory for image creation and expansion. Images (such as characters and graphic forms) to be recorded are written directly in the page memory 23.

In the external storage unit 3, numeral 31 denotes the composition source file containing composition commands and information on characters, images and graphic forms for composition purposes. Numeral 32 denotes the font metric data file containing information on measurements (the heights, depths and widths) of characters required for character composition, and 33, the font data file containing information on dot patterns or outlines of characters required for printing characters. Numeral 34 denotes the DVI file which is independent of the resolution and other factors of the printer and the display device which store the results of the composition made by the document formater 11. Numeral 35 denotes the image data file containing color image information to be added to documents, and 36, the graphic data file containing color graphic forms (including line graphic forms).

The main flow of a process performed by the thus-constructed document processing apparatus according to this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3.

This main flow is basically similar to that of the conventional batch-type text composition system shown in FIG. 2, except for the following new processes.

(1) It is possible to specify how a color graphic file 92 and a color image file 93 are added to a source file 91 used for a composition process (what sizes of these files 92 and 93 are added to what location of the source file 91). An instruction for coloring texts is added.

(2) As opposed to the conventional composition system in which only texts are arranged, the document processing apparatus of this invention is expanded so as to allow composition which includes information on images and graphic forms with respect to the source file 91 created in item (1).

(3) A process 97 is added in which a text, image and graphic form are combined together and displayed in a full range of colors on the multi-window system 6. This display is made on the basis of an intermediate file 95 while reference is being made to original information stored in the color graphic file 92 and the color image file 93.

(4) In the same manner as in item (3), the text, image and graphic form are also recorded on the printer (recording device) 7.

The above items (1) to (4) will be explained one by one in detail. This embodiment is applicable both to a batch-type document processing apparatus, such as the TEX, the roff or the Scribe, and to a WYSIWYG-type document processing apparatus. For simplicity of explanation, however, a batch-type system will be explained as an example.

(1) As regards coloring texts and means for adding color images and graphic forms

Basically, in this document processing apparatus, the color graphic and image files 92 and 93 should be regarded as files different from a text composition file in the system and conform to a standard format utilized in the DTP field.

It is assumed that a Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM, an ISO standard) or Post Script (trademark of Adobe Company) is used as the format of graphic forms, whereas a standard format called a Tag Image File Format (TIFF, trademark of Aldus Company) is used as the format of images. With these formats, item (1) can be employed in various types of document processing apparatuses.

To actually insert an image or a graphic form into a document, the following command is entered to the source file 91 so that a Current Active Position (CAP) can serve as a criterion. An image zone or a graphic form zone is thus allocated when the document is composed.

EXAMPLE (using the CGM):

.backslash.cgm{file name=example.cgm,height=5 cm, width=4 cm} where .backslash.cgm indicates a command for including the CGM file. The command begins with ".backslash." (back slash) distinguishing it from the text of the document. The contents enclosed by the braces indicate parameters: "file name=" indicates the CGM file to be included actually, and "height=" and "width=" indicate the height and width of the zone in which a graphic form in the CGM file is expanded.

Coloring texts will now be explained. It is possible to employ the method in which a command explicitly specifies information on the colors of fonts as well as the conventional monochromic fonts in order to expand the composition source file 31. In other words, information on colors is added to the conventional information on types and sizes of fonts. This method will be realized by creating a color data base file 98 in which colors are specified as a ratio of the three primary colors (red, green and blue). These colors are explicitly specified in the source file 91.

An example of the construction of the color data base 98 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the drawing, colors are indicated on the left-hand side, and components of red, green and blue are indicated in eight bits (0 through 255). Colors indicated by the numeral zero are specified in the form of the least bright colors, whereas those indicated by the numeral 255 are specified in the form of the brightest colors.

Color fonts are specified, as for example, as follows:

.backslash.blue (This is a blue text.)

.backslash.red (This is a red text.)

.backslash.green (this is a green text.)