JP3552094B2 - Character display device, character display method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a character display device, a character display method, and a recording medium capable of displaying characters with high definition using a display device capable of color display.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a technique for displaying characters on a display device, for example, a technique using a dot font corresponding to binary of black and white is known. In this technique, portions forming the outline and the inside of a character are represented in black, and the other portions are represented in white.
[0003]
Further, as a technology for improving the conventional technology using a dot font, a technology using a grayscale font is known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-255254). In this technique, a halftone gray area is arranged around a black area.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
FIG. 1 shows an ideal oblique line 102 profile that can be output to an output surface 100 using a very high resolution output device. Such a diagonal line can be used as a part of a character.
[0005]
FIG. 2 shows an example in which a diagonal line 102 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on a display surface 200 of 6 pixels × 12 pixels using a conventional dot font corresponding to binary of black and white. In FIG. 2, a hatched rectangle indicates a pixel displayed in black, and a white rectangle indicates a pixel displayed in white.
[0006]
As shown in FIG. 2, the diagonal line 102 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed as a connection of four line segments. Due to the occurrence of such a large jaggy, the graphic (a part of the character) shown in FIG. 2 does not appear to human eyes as a smooth oblique line. As described above, in the conventional dot font corresponding to the binary of black and white, jaggies occur in the oblique lines and curves of the elements constituting the character, so that the human eyes do not see the character as beautiful. In particular, when characters are displayed using a small number of dots, jaggies are noticeably observed.
[0007]
FIG. 3 shows an example in which the diagonal lines 102 shown in FIG. 1 are displayed on a display surface 300 of 6 pixels × 12 pixels using a conventional grayscale font. In FIG. 3, a rectangle corresponding to level 3 indicates a pixel displayed in black, a rectangle corresponding to level 2 indicates a pixel displayed in dark gray, and a rectangle corresponding to level 1 is displayed in light gray. Pixels are shown, and rectangles corresponding to level 0 indicate pixels displayed in white.
[0008]
For example, when each color element is controlled in 256 gradations, black corresponding to level 3 sets the luminance (R, G, B) of each color element corresponding to one pixel in the color liquid crystal display device to (0, 0). , 0). Similarly, the dark gray corresponding to level 2 is represented by (R, G, B) = (80, 80, 80), and the light gray corresponding to level 1 is (R, G, B) = (160, 160, 160) and the white color corresponding to level 0 is represented by (R, G, B) = (255, 255, 255).
[0009]
The figure (part of the character) shown in FIG. 3 appears to the human eyes to have improved jaggy compared to the figure (part of the character) shown in FIG. This is because gray correction is performed for each dot. However, according to the conventional technology using a grayscale font, the correction in units of one dot has a limitation in low resolution, and a part of the outline of the character and its surroundings are displayed in gray, so that the character is corrected. There are drawbacks in that the outline or the character itself is blurred or the blackness of the character is biased.
[0010]
An object of the present invention is to provide a character display device, a character display method, and a recording medium that can display characters with high definition using a display device capable of color display.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The character display device of the present invention includes a display device having a plurality of pixels, and a control unit that controls the display device, wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a predetermined direction. A corresponding one of a plurality of color elements is assigned in advance to each of the plurality of sub-pixels, and the control unit independently controls the plurality of color elements corresponding to the plurality of sub-pixels. To display characters on the display device, The intensity of each of the plurality of color elements is represented stepwise by a plurality of color element levels, and the control unit includes at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of a character displayed on the display device. Is set to a predetermined color element level, and the color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is changed to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level. Set to color element level Thus, the above object is achieved.
[0013]
The control unit may define a basic portion of the character displayed on the display device based on a scaled outline of the character.
[0014]
The control unit may define a basic portion of the character displayed on the display device based on skeleton data representing a skeleton shape of the character.
[0015]
The control unit scales the skeleton data according to the size of the character displayed on the display device, and adjusts the line width of the character after defining a basic portion of the character based on the scaled skeleton data. May be.
[0016]
The control unit sets a color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of the character based on at least one correction pattern, other than the predetermined color element level. The color element level may be set.
[0017]
The control unit may adjust a line width of the character displayed on the display device by selectively using one of the at least one correction pattern.
[0018]
The at least one correction pattern may be prepared in advance according to a size of the character displayed on the display device.
[0019]
The at least one correction pattern may be prepared in advance so as to correspond to the skeleton data.
[0020]
The at least one correction pattern may be prepared for each kanji radical part.
[0021]
The at least one correction pattern may be prepared in advance according to the number of strokes of the skeleton data.
[0022]
The at least one correction pattern may be prepared in advance according to a gradient of a stroke of the skeleton data.
[0023]
The at least one correction pattern may be prepared in advance according to a distance between a part of the basic part of the character and another part.
[0024]
If the arrangement of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character forms a specific pattern, the control unit controls the character to separate the basic part of the character into at least two parts. May be corrected for the color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of.
[0025]
The skeleton data includes stroke information related to a stroke, and the control unit changes a color element level of the at least one sub-pixel to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level according to a shape of the stroke. May be set.
[0026]
The skeleton data includes stroke information related to a stroke, and the control unit determines a color of the at least one sub-pixel based on a typeface attribute table defining a typeface characteristic of the character in relation to the stroke information. The element level may be set to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level.
[0027]
A plurality of typeface attribute tables that define the characteristics of the typeface of the character in relation to the stroke information are prepared, and the control unit selectively selects one of the plurality of typeface attribute tables according to the size of the character. The color element level of the at least one sub-pixel may be set to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level based on one typeface attribute table used.
[0028]
The control unit sets the color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to the at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character in the predetermined direction to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level. May be set.
[0029]
The control unit sets the color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction to the predetermined color element level. Other color element levels may be set.
[0030]
The control unit may adjust a line width of the character displayed on the display device by controlling a number of sub-pixels corresponding to a basic portion of the character.
[0031]
The control unit adjusts a line width of the character displayed on the display device by controlling a color element level of a sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of the character. You may.
[0032]
The control unit controls a color element level of a sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of the character, thereby expressing a typeface characteristic of the character displayed on the display device. May be.
[0033]
The control unit sets a color element level of some of the at least one specific subpixel corresponding to a basic part of a character displayed on the display device to a color element level other than the maximum color element level. May be.
[0034]
The control unit may set a color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character based on a basic part table.
[0035]
The control unit is configured to set predetermined color element level information of at least one subpixel located near at least one specific subpixel corresponding to a basic part of a character displayed on the display device. The color element level of at least one sub-pixel arranged in the vicinity of the at least one specific sub-pixel may be set.
[0036]
The color of the character displayed on the display device may be achromatic.
[0037]
The control unit may variably adjust the character interval by controlling the position of the character displayed on the display device in subpixel units.
[0041]
The display device may be a liquid crystal display device.
[0042]
The liquid crystal display device may be a stripe type liquid crystal display device.
[0043]
The character display method of the present invention includes: display A character display method for displaying characters on a device, The display device has a plurality of pixels, Each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a predetermined direction, and each of the plurality of sub-pixels is assigned a corresponding one of a plurality of color elements in advance, The character display method includes: A character is displayed on the display device by independently controlling the plurality of color elements corresponding to the plurality of sub-pixels. The strength of each of the plurality of color elements is represented stepwise by a plurality of color element levels, and the step of displaying the character on the display device comprises the step of displaying the character on the display device. Setting a color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character to a predetermined color element level; and at least one color element level adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character Set the color element level of the sub-pixel to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level Thus, the above object is achieved.
[0044]
The recording medium of the present invention information A recording medium readable by a display device, The information display device includes a display device, a control unit that controls the display device, the display device has a plurality of pixels, Each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a predetermined direction, and each of the plurality of sub-pixels is assigned a corresponding one of a plurality of color elements in advance, The recording medium, A character is displayed on the display device by independently controlling the plurality of color elements corresponding to the plurality of sub-pixels. Processing that includes steps A program to be executed by the control unit is recorded. Wherein the strength of each of the plurality of color elements is represented in a stepwise manner by a plurality of color element levels, and the step of displaying the character on the display device comprises a basic part of the character displayed on the display device. Setting the color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the predetermined color element level to the predetermined color element level; Setting the color element level to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level. Thereby, the above object is achieved.
[0045]
Hereinafter, the operation will be described.
[0046]
According to the present invention, a plurality of color elements corresponding to a plurality of sub-pixels are independently controlled. This makes it possible to perform sub-pixel-unit control more finely than conventional pixel-unit control. Further, by appropriately controlling the color elements of the sub-pixels in the vicinity of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character, it is possible to make colors other than black that are colored in the character less noticeable to human eyes. As a result, not only the outline of the character but also the character itself can be displayed on the display device with high definition.
[0047]
According to the present invention, a basic part of a character is defined based on skeleton data representing a skeleton shape of the character. The color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to a predetermined color element level. Based on at least one correction pattern (or transition pattern), the color element level of a subpixel adjacent to the subpixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level. In this way, by independently controlling the color element levels of the sub-pixels, it is possible to perform sub-pixel-unit control more finely than conventional pixel-unit control. As a result, the resolution of the character can be increased in a pseudo manner. Further, by appropriately controlling the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character, it is possible to make colors other than black that are colored in the character less noticeable to the human eye. . As a result, not only the outline of the character but also the character itself can be displayed on the display device with high definition.
[0048]
According to the present invention, the color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character displayed on the display device is set to a predetermined color element level, and the basic part of the character is The color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to the corresponding at least one specific sub-pixel in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels is a color other than the predetermined color element level. Set at the element level. In this way, by independently controlling the color element levels of the sub-pixels, it is possible to perform sub-pixel-unit control more finely than conventional pixel-unit control. As a result, the resolution of the character can be increased in a pseudo manner. Further, by appropriately controlling the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character, it is possible to make colors other than black that are colored in the character less noticeable to the human eye. . As a result, not only the outline of the character but also the character itself can be displayed on the display device with high definition.
[0049]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First, the principle of displaying characters according to the present invention will be described. The display principle of this character is common to all embodiments described later.
[0050]
FIG. 4 schematically shows a display surface 400 of the display device 10 (FIGS. 15A to 15E) that can be used in the character display device of the present invention. The display device 10 has a plurality of pixels 12 arranged in the X direction and the Y direction. Each of the plurality of pixels 12 has a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in the X direction. In the example shown in FIG. 4, one pixel 12 has three sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B.
[0051]
The sub-pixel 14R is assigned to a color element R in advance so as to emit R (red). The sub-pixel 14G is assigned in advance to the color element G so as to emit G (green). The sub-pixel 14B is assigned to the color element B in advance so as to emit B (blue).
[0052]
The luminance of the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B is represented by, for example, values of 0 to 255. Each of the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B can display about 16.7 million (= 256 × 256 × 256) colors by taking any one of values from 0 to 255 indicating the luminance level.
[0053]
In the prior art for displaying characters using the above-described dot font or grayscale font, one dot of the character is associated with one pixel of the display device. On the other hand, one dot of a character displayed on the display device 10 is associated not with the pixel 12 of the display device 10 but with one of the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B included in the pixel 12. As a result, even when a display device of the same model as that of the related art is used, the resolution of the display device can be increased three times in a pseudo manner. As a result, part of characters such as oblique lines and curves are displayed smoothly, so that the display quality of characters can be dramatically improved.
[0054]
However, if the display unit of the character is simply set to the sub-pixel unit, the displayed character does not look black to human eyes, and color stripes (color noise) are visible. This is because different color elements are assigned in advance to the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B adjacent in the X direction. In order to prevent the displayed character from appearing black to the human eye, the present invention appropriately controls the color element levels of sub-pixels adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character. As a result, colors other than black, which are colored in characters, can be made inconspicuous to human eyes.
[0055]
As described above, the plurality of color elements (R, G, B) corresponding to the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B included in one pixel 12 are independently controlled, and the sub-pixels corresponding to the basic part of the character are provided. By appropriately controlling the color element levels of the sub-pixels adjacent to the character, not only the outline of the character but also the character itself can be displayed with high definition in pseudo black. Here, “pseudo black” means that it is not strictly chromatically black, but looks black to human eyes.
[0056]
Note that the present invention is not limited to displaying black characters. Achromatic characters can be displayed using the display principle of the present invention. For example, even when gray characters are displayed using the display principle of the present invention, the same effects as those described above can be obtained. In the case of displaying gray characters, for example, the relationship between the color element levels and the luminance levels defined in the luminance table 92 shown in FIG. It may be changed as follows.
[0057]
FIG. 5 shows an example in which the diagonal line 102 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on a display screen 400 of 6 pixels × 12 pixels of the display device 10. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the color element levels of the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B are controlled in four levels from level 3 to level 0. In FIG. 5, a rectangle corresponding to level 3 indicates a subpixel having a luminance level of 0, a rectangle corresponding to level 2 indicates a subpixel having a luminance level of 80, and a rectangle corresponding to level 1 indicates a subpixel having a luminance level of 180. A rectangle corresponding to level 0 indicates a subpixel having a luminance level of 255.
[0058]
Here, the color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to level 3 (the maximum color element level). The color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character in the X direction is set to level 2 or level 1.
[0059]
FIG. 6 shows an example in which the oblique line 102 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the display surface 400 of the display device 10 thinner than the oblique line shown in FIG. Such display is achieved by changing the thickness of the basic portion of the character (that is, the thickness of the portion corresponding to level 3) from 2 subpixels to 1 subpixel.
[0060]
FIG. 7 shows an example in which the diagonal line 102 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the display surface 400 of the display device 10 thicker than the diagonal line shown in FIG. Such display is achieved by changing the thickness of the basic portion of the character (that is, the thickness of the portion corresponding to level 3) from 2 subpixels to 3 subpixels.
[0061]
As described above, by adjusting the thickness of the basic portion of the character in units of sub-pixels, it is possible to control the thickness of the character in smaller units than in the related art.
[0062]
FIG. 8 shows the hiragana “i” font data actually designed based on the character display principle according to the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the color element levels of the sub-pixels are controlled in six levels from level 5 to level 0. By increasing the number of color element levels of sub-pixels, colors other than black, which are colored in characters, can be made less noticeable to human eyes.
[0063]
FIG. 9 shows a luminance table 92 that defines the relationship between the color element level (level 5 to level 0) of the sub-pixel and the luminance level of the sub-pixel. By storing the luminance table 92 in the memory, the color element level of the sub-pixel can be easily converted to the luminance level. In the luminance table 92, six color element levels (levels 5 to 0) of the sub-pixels are allocated to luminance levels 0 to 255 at substantially equal intervals.
[0064]
FIG. 10 shows a luminance table 94 that defines the relationship between the color element level (level 5 to level 0) of the sub-pixel and the luminance level of the sub-pixel. In the luminance table 94, the luminance levels corresponding to levels 5 to 3 among the color element levels of the sub-pixel are biased toward the luminance level 0, and correspond to the levels 2 to 0 among the color element levels of the sub-pixel. The luminance level is biased toward the luminance level 255. By defining the luminance table 94 as shown in FIG. 10, the thickness of the character can be displayed to be apparently thin compared to the case where the luminance table 92 shown in FIG. 9 is used. In other words, the character looks tight to the human eye.
[0065]
FIG. 11 shows a luminance table 96 that defines the relationship between the color element level (level 5 to level 0) of the sub-pixel and the luminance level of the sub-pixel. The luminance table 96 is suitably used when the display device 10 is a color liquid crystal display device. By using the luminance table 96, it is possible to correct that the luminance of the sub-pixel of the color element B is lower than the actual luminance when the luminance level of the sub-pixel of the color element B is low. As described above, by using a luminance table suitable for the display characteristics of the display device 10, it is possible to make colors other than black colored in characters less noticeable to human eyes.
[0066]
Further, according to the character display principle of the present invention, the character spacing can be adjusted in sub-pixel units. Therefore, the character spacing can be controlled more finely than in the conventional method in which the character spacing is adjusted in pixel units. Therefore, the principle of displaying characters according to the present invention can be suitably applied to a proportional font that requires variable control of character spacing. By applying the character display principle according to the present invention to a proportional font, a beautiful character set can be realized.
[0067]
FIG. 12 shows the font data of the "kan" of the Chinese character actually designed based on the character display principle according to the present invention. Characters with many horizontal lines, such as the kanji character “i”, are used in the horizontal direction by rotating the display surface 400 of the display device 90 by 90 degrees, so that the display surface 400 of the display device 10 is used in the vertical direction. In comparison, it can be displayed with higher quality.
[0068]
FIG. 13 shows that when the ideal oblique line 104 is displayed on the display screen 400 of 6 × 12 pixels of the display device 10, the top and bottom of the ideal oblique line 104 partially overlap the sub-pixels. Here is an example. In such a case, it is preferable that specific processing be performed on the uppermost part and the lowermost part of the ideal oblique line 104. Hereinafter, the specific processing will be described.
[0069]
For example, the color element level of the sub-pixel is determined according to the area where the top or bottom of the ideal oblique line and the sub-pixel overlap. For example, when the color element level of the sub-pixel is controlled in four levels from level 3 to level 0, the color element level of the sub-pixel is level 3 when the overlapping area is 80% or more of the area of the sub-pixel. If the overlapping area is 50% or more and less than 80% of the area of the sub-pixel, the color element level of the sub-pixel is set to level 2, and the overlapping area is 20% or more and less than 50% of the area of the sub-pixel. , The color element level of the subpixel is set to level 1, and if the overlapping area is less than 20% of the area of the subpixel, the color element level of the subpixel is set to level 0.
[0070]
In FIG. 13, the area where the ideal oblique line overlaps with the sub-pixel 14A is 50% or more and less than 80% of the area of the sub-pixel 14A, and the area where the ideal oblique line overlaps with the sub-pixel 14B is the area of the sub-pixel 14B. 50% or more and less than 80%. Therefore, the color element level of the sub-pixel 14A is set to level 2, and the color element level of the sub-pixel 14B is set to level 2.
[0071]
Further, the color element level of the subpixel 14AA adjacent to the subpixel 14A along the X direction is set to level 1, and the color element level of the subpixel 14BB adjacent to the subpixel 14B along the X direction is set to level 1. Is done. In this manner, the color element levels of the sub-pixels 14AA and 14BB adjacent to the ideal sub-pixels 14A and 14B corresponding to the ends of the oblique lines are set to complement the color element levels of the sub-pixels 14A and 14B. .
[0072]
In FIG. 13, the area where the ideal oblique line overlaps with the sub-pixel 14C is 20% or more and less than 50% of the area of the sub-pixel 14C, and the area where the ideal oblique line overlaps with the sub-pixel 14D is the area of the sub-pixel 14D. 20% or more and less than 50%. Therefore, the color element level of the sub-pixel 14C is set to level 1, and the color element level of the sub-pixel 14D is set to level 1.
[0073]
In this case, the color element level of the subpixel 14CC adjacent to the subpixel 14C in the X direction remains at level 0, and the color element level of the subpixel 14DD adjacent to the subpixel 14D in the X direction is It remains at level 0. As described above, when the color element levels of the sub-pixels 14C and 14D corresponding to the ends of the ideal oblique lines are level 1, the color element levels of the sub-pixels 14CC and 14DD adjacent thereto are the sub-pixels 14C and 14C. It is left at level 0 without complementing the 14D color element level.
[0074]
FIG. 14 shows an example in which the ideal oblique line 104 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display surface 400 of the display device 10 of 6 pixels × 12 pixels.
[0075]
As the display device 10, for example, a stripe type color liquid crystal display device can be used. Alternatively, a delta-type color liquid crystal display device may be used as the display device 10. Even when a delta-type color liquid crystal device is used, the same effect as that of a stripe-type color liquid crystal device can be obtained by individually controlling the R, G, and B subpixels corresponding to one pixel. . As the color liquid crystal display device, besides a transmission type liquid crystal display device often used in personal computers and the like, a reflection type or rear professional type liquid crystal display device can be used. However, the display device 10 is not limited to a color liquid crystal display device. As the display device 10, any color display device having a plurality of pixels arranged in the X direction and the Y direction (a so-called XY matrix display device) can be used.
[0076]
Further, the number of sub-pixels included in one pixel 12 is not limited to three. One pixel 12 may include two or more sub-pixels arranged in a predetermined direction. For example, when a color is represented using N (N ≧ 2) color elements, one pixel 12 may include N sub-pixels.
[0077]
Furthermore, the arrangement order of the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B is not limited to the arrangement order shown in FIG. For example, sub-pixels may be arranged in the order of B, G, and R along the X direction. Further, the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels 14R, 14G and 14B is not limited to the direction shown in FIG. For example, the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B may be arranged along an arbitrary direction.
[0078]
Further, the color elements applicable to the present invention are not limited to R (red), G (green), and B (blue). For example, C (cyan), Y (yellow), and M (magenta) can be used as color elements.
[0079]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0080]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 15A shows the configuration of character display device 1a according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The character display device 1a can be, for example, a personal computer. As a personal computer, any type of computer such as a desktop type or a laptop type can be used. Alternatively, the character display device 1a may be a word processor.
[0081]
Further, the character display device 1a may be any device such as an electronic device or an information device provided with a display device capable of color display. For example, the character display device 1a may be an electronic device having a color liquid crystal display device, a portable information terminal that is a portable information tool, a portable telephone including a PHS, or a communication device such as a general telephone / fax. Good.
[0082]
The character display device 1a includes a display device 10 capable of color display, and a control unit 20 that independently controls a plurality of color elements corresponding to a plurality of sub-pixels included in the display device 10. The display unit 10, the input device 30, and the auxiliary storage device 40 are connected to the control unit 20.
[0083]
The input device 30 is used to input character information representing characters to be displayed on the display device 10 to the control unit 20. The character information includes, for example, a character code for identifying the character and a character size indicating the size of the character. As the input device 30, any type of input device capable of inputting a character code and a character size can be used. For example, an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a pen input device can be suitably used as the input device 30.
[0084]
The auxiliary storage device 40 stores a character display program 41a and data 42 necessary for executing the character display program 41a. The data 42 includes character outline information 42a that defines the outline of the character, color element level information 42b, and a luminance table 42c. As the luminance table 42c, for example, a luminance table 92 (FIG. 9), a luminance table 94 (FIG. 10), or a luminance table 96 (FIG. 11) can be used. As the auxiliary storage device 40, any type of storage device capable of storing the character display program 41a and the data 42 can be used. In the auxiliary storage device 40, any recording medium may be used as a recording medium for storing the character display program 41a and the data. For example, hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, floppy (Registered trademark) Recording media such as discs, MDs, DVDs, IC cards, and optical cards can be suitably used.
[0085]
Note that the character display program 41a and the data 42 are not limited to being stored in a recording medium in the auxiliary storage device 40. For example, the character display program 41a and the data 42 may be stored in the main memory 22 or may be stored in a ROM (not shown). The ROM may be, for example, a mask ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash ROM, or the like. In the case of the ROM system, various processing variations can be easily realized simply by replacing the ROM. For example, the ROM method can be suitably applied to a portable terminal device, a mobile phone, and the like.
[0086]
letter The recording medium for storing the display program 41a and the data 42 is a medium that fixedly stores the program or data, such as a storage device such as the disk or card or a semiconductor memory. Can be . When the character display device 1a has a means for connecting to a communication line including the Internet, the character display program 41a and the data 42 can be downloaded from the communication line. In this case, the loader program required for downloading may be stored in a ROM (not shown) in advance, or may be installed in the control unit 20 from the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0087]
Character display programs 41b to 41d to be described later are also handled in the same manner as the character display program 41a.
[0088]
The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21 and a main memory 22.
[0089]
The CPU 21 controls and monitors the entire character display device 1a, and executes a character display program 41a stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0090]
The main memory 22 temporarily stores data input from the input device 30, data to be displayed on the display device 10, and data necessary for executing the character display program 41a. The main memory 22 is accessed by the CPU 21.
[0091]
The CPU 21 generates a character pattern by executing the character display program 41a based on various data stored in the main memory 22. The generated character pattern is temporarily stored in the main memory 22 and then output to the display device 10. The timing at which the character pattern is output to the display device 10 is controlled by the CPU 21.
[0092]
FIG. 16 shows the structure of the character outline information 42a stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0093]
The character outline information 42a includes a character code 301 for distinguishing a character type, a stroke number 302 indicating the number of strokes forming one character, and stroke information 303 corresponding to each stroke.
[0094]
The stroke information 303 includes a stroke code 304 for distinguishing the type of stroke, a contour point number 305 indicating the number of contour points forming one stroke, and contour point coordinates indicating the coordinates of the contour point forming one stroke. And a pointer 306 to data 308. The pointer 306 points to a position in the auxiliary storage device 40 where the contour point coordinate data 308 is stored. By referring to the stroke information 303, the coordinates of the contour points constituting one stroke can be obtained. Here, in the contour point coordinate data 308, it is assumed that the coordinates of the contour points forming one stroke are arranged counterclockwise.
[0095]
The number of stroke information 303 is equal to the number of strokes 302. Therefore, when the number of strokes 302 is N (N is an integer of 1 or more), the character outline information 42a includes N pieces of stroke information 303 corresponding to the stroke codes 1 to N.
[0096]
Methods for expressing the outline of a character include (1) a method of approximating the outline of a character with a straight line, (2) a method of approximating the outline of a character with a combination of a straight line and an arc, and (3) a method of approximating the outline of a character. A method of approximating by a combination of a straight line and a curve (for example, a spline curve or the like) is given.
[0097]
The character outline information 42a may include, as the outline point coordinate data 308, the coordinates of a plurality of outline points obtained according to any one of the methods (1) to (3). In consideration of the character quality and the data capacity, the character outline information 42a preferably includes outline point coordinate data 308 based on the method (3).
[0098]
FIG. 17A shows the structure of the color element level information 42b stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0099]
The color element level information 42b includes a subpixel set number 701 indicating the number of subpixel sets 705 included in the color element level information 42b, and a plurality of subpixel sets 705. Each of the plurality of sub-pixel sets 705 is used to set a color element level of a sub-pixel arranged near the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character, as described later.
[0100]
The subpixel set 705 includes a subpixel set code 702 for distinguishing the type of the subpixel set 705, a subpixel number 703 indicating the number of subpixels included in the subpixel set 705, and subpixels 1 to M And a plurality of color element levels 704 corresponding to.
[0101]
FIG. 17B shows an example of the color element level information 42b. In FIG. 17B, the numbers shown in the rectangles indicate the values of the attributes corresponding to the rectangles.
[0102]
FIG. 18 shows a processing procedure of the character display program 41a. The character display program 41a is executed by the CPU 21. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the character display program 41a will be described for each step.
[0103]
Step S1: A character code and a character size are input from the input device 30. For example, when "i" of Hiragana is displayed on the display device 10, No. 0404 (JIS Kuten code) is input as a character code. Such an input is made, for example, by the user pressing the “i” key on the keyboard. The character size is represented by, for example, the number of horizontal dots and the number of vertical dots of the displayed character. The character size is, for example, 13 dots × 12 dots.
[0104]
Step S2: Character outline information 42a for one character corresponding to the input character code is stored in the main memory 22.
[0105]
Step S3: An ideal outline of the character is calculated based on the outline point coordinate data 308 for one stroke included in the character outline information 42a. The ideal contour of the character is approximated using straight lines or curves according to known methods.
[0106]
Step S4: The ideal outline of the character calculated in step S3 is scaled according to the input character size. By this scaling processing, a predetermined coordinate system for the contour point coordinate data 308 is converted to an actual pixel coordinate system for the display device 10.
[0107]
Step S5: The basic part of the character is detected according to the area where the inside of the ideal outline of the character scaled in step S4 and the sub-pixel of the display device 10 overlap. The basic part of the character is a part representing the core of the character. For example, if the area where the interior of the ideal outline of the scaled character overlaps the sub-pixel of the display device 10 is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference area, the sub-pixel is defined as corresponding to the basic portion of the character. You. The value of the predetermined reference area may be a fixed value or a variable value that can be changed according to an input from the input device 30.
[0108]
By calculating the area that overlaps the interior of the ideal outline of the scaled character for all sub-pixels of the display device 10, it is determined which sub-pixel of the display device 10 corresponds to the basic part of the character. You.
[0109]
Step S6: The color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to the maximum color element level. For example, when the color element level of the sub-pixel is represented by six levels from level 5 to level 0, the color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to level 5.
[0110]
Step S7: The color element level of the sub-pixel arranged near the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to one of level 4 to level 1 according to a predetermined rule. Details of the predetermined rule will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0111]
Step S8: It is determined whether or not the processing of steps S3 to S7 has been completed for all strokes included in one character. If "No", the process returns to step S3. If "Yes", the process proceeds to step S9.
[0112]
Step S9: The color element level of the sub-pixel is converted into a luminance level. Such a conversion is performed using, for example, the luminance table 42c stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0113]
Step S10: The luminance data indicating the luminance level of the sub-pixel is transferred to the display device 10. As a result, the luminance level of the display device 10 is controlled in sub-pixel units.
[0114]
FIG. 19 shows how the color element level of a sub-pixel located near a sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of a character is determined.
[0115]
First, an ideal direction of a contour line of a character (hereinafter referred to as a contour line direction) is determined from the arrangement of coordinates in the contour point coordinate data 308. In the example shown in FIG. ₁ Indicated by Along the contour direction, a sub-pixel BP corresponding to the basic part of the character ₁ ~ BP ₁₂ Is arranged.
[0116]
In FIG. 19, one sub-pixel BP corresponding to the basic part of the character _k Pay attention to. Here, k = 1, 2,..., 11. Sub-pixel BP corresponding to the basic part of the character _{k + 1} And the sub-pixel of interest BP along the contour line direction _k Sub-pixel BP placed next to _{k + 1} Sub-pixel NP adjacent to _{k + 1} Is the color element level of the sub-pixel of interest BP _k And sub-pixel BP _{k + 1} Is determined according to the positional relationship between
[0117]
Attention sub-pixel BP _k Position (coordinates) and sub-pixel BP _{k + 1} If the position (coordinates) of the sub-pixels in the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels in one pixel match, the sub-pixel NP _{k + 1} Is set to level 3, otherwise the subpixel NP _{k + 1} Is set to level 4. The sub-pixel position determination processing and the color element level setting processing are executed by the CPU 21.
[0118]
In the example shown in FIG. 19, for each of k = 1 to k = 11, the sub-pixel of interest BP _k And sub-pixel BP _{k + 1} To determine the sub-pixel NP _{k + 1} Is determined. The sub-pixel NP ₁ Is set to an arbitrary level (for example, level 3).
[0119]
In this way, the sub-pixel BP corresponding to the basic part of the character _k Sub-pixel NP adjacent to _k Is determined. In FIG. 19, numbers in rectangles representing sub-pixels indicate color element levels set for each sub-pixel.
[0120]
Sub-pixel NP _k Are determined using the color element level information 42b (FIG. 17A). That is, the sub-pixel NB of the plurality of sub-pixel sets 705 included in the color element level information 42b _k Is selected, and the sub-pixel set 705 having the color element level corresponding to the color element level as the maximum color element level is selected. , The color element level of the sub-pixel is determined.
[0121]
For example, sub-pixel NP _k Is set to level 3, the subpixel set 705 having the value 3 as the color element level 704 of the subpixel 1 is selected from the color element level information 42b. According to the value 2 of the color element level 704 of the subpixel 2 defined in the selected subpixel set 705, the subpixel NP _k Sub-pixel N'P adjacent to _k Is set to level 2. Further, according to the value 1 of the color element level 704 of the sub-pixel 3 defined in the selected sub-pixel set 705, the sub-pixel N′P _k Subpixel N ″ P adjacent to _k Is set to level 1.
[0122]
In this way, the sub-pixel BP corresponding to the basic part of the character _k Sub-pixel NP arranged in the vicinity of _k , N'P _k , N "P _k Is determined.
[0123]
By rewriting the contents of the color element level information 42b, the sub-pixel BP corresponding to the basic part of the character is rewritten. _k Sub-pixel NP arranged in the vicinity of _k , N'P _k , N "P _k Can be set to an arbitrary level.
[0124]
FIG. 20 shows the font data of “I” of Hiragana actually designed based on the display principle of characters according to the present invention superimposed on the ideal outline of “I” of Hiragana. . In FIG. 20, the arrow indicates the contour line direction. As described with reference to FIG. 19, by setting the color element level of the sub-pixel arranged near the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character along the outline direction, the font of the character is set. Data is obtained.
[0125]
Note that the control unit 20 may have a function of displaying characters in a state where the arrangement of the sub-pixels is rotated by 90 degrees. Whether or not to display characters with the arrangement of the sub-pixels rotated by 90 degrees is appropriately selected. Displaying characters in a state in which the arrangement of the sub-pixels is rotated by 90 degrees in accordance with the configuration of the sub-pixels in the display device 10, for example, to display the kanji “me” as shown in FIG. Can be. As described above, by setting the display direction of the stripe type liquid crystal to be horizontal, a character display device suitable for Japanese can be realized.
[0126]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 21 schematically illustrates a display surface 400 of the display device 10 usable for the character display device 1b according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The display device 10 has a plurality of pixels 12 arranged in the X direction and the Y direction. Each of the plurality of pixels 12 has a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in the X direction. In the example shown in FIG. 21, one pixel 12 has three sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B.
[0127]
The sub-pixel 14R is assigned to a color element R in advance so as to emit R (red). The sub-pixel 14G is assigned in advance to the color element G so as to emit G (green). The sub-pixel 14B is assigned to the color element B in advance so as to emit B (blue).
[0128]
The luminance of the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B is represented by, for example, values of 0 to 255. Each of the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B can display about 16.7 million (= 256 × 256 × 256) colors by taking any one of values from 0 to 255 indicating the luminance level.
[0129]
FIG. 15B shows a configuration of a character display device 1b according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0130]
15B, components that are the same as the components shown in FIG. 15A are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0131]
The auxiliary storage device 40 stores a character display program 41b and data 42 necessary for executing the character display program 41b. The data 42 includes skeleton data 42d that defines the skeleton shape of the character, a correction table 42e, and a luminance table 42c. As the auxiliary storage device 40, any type of storage device capable of storing the character display program 41b and the data 42 can be used.
[0132]
FIG. 22 shows an example of the structure of the skeleton data 42d stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0133]
The skeleton data 42d represents the skeleton shape of the character. The skeleton data 42d includes a character code 2301 for distinguishing a character type, a stroke number 2302 indicating the number M of strokes constituting one character (M is an integer of 1 or more), and stroke information corresponding to each stroke. 2303.
[0134]
The stroke information 2303 includes a stroke number 2304 for distinguishing the stroke, a point number 2305 indicating the number N (N is an integer of 1 or more) of a plurality of points constituting the stroke, a line type 2306 indicating the line type of the stroke, , A plurality of coordinate data 2307 indicating the coordinates of a plurality of points constituting the stroke. Since the number of pieces of coordinate data 2307 is equal to the number of points 2305, N pieces of coordinate data are stored as coordinates forming one stroke.
[0135]
Since the number of stroke information 2303 is equal to the number of strokes 2302, the skeleton data 42d includes M pieces of stroke information 2303 corresponding to the stroke codes 1 to M.
[0136]
As the line type 2306, for example, a line type “straight line” and a line type “curve” are used. When the line type 2306 is “straight line”, a plurality of points constituting the stroke are approximated by a straight line. When the line type 2306 is “curve”, the points constituting the stroke are approximated by a curve (for example, a spline curve).
[0137]
FIG. 23 shows an example of the skeleton data 42d representing the skeleton shape of the Chinese character "tree". The skeleton data 42d representing the skeleton shape of the kanji “tree” has four strokes # 1 to # 4 corresponding to the stroke codes 1 to 4, respectively.
[0138]
Stroke # 1 is defined as a straight line connecting the start point (0, 192) and the end point (255, 192). Stroke # 2 is defined as a straight line connecting the start point (128, 255) and the end point (128, 0). Stroke # 3 is obtained by approximating the five points (121, 192), (97, 141), (72, 103), (41, 69), and (4, 42) with a curve. Stroke # 4 is obtained by approximating the five points (135, 192), (156, 146), (182, 107), (213, 72), and (251, 42) with a curve.
[0139]
FIG. 24 shows an example in which skeleton data 42d representing the skeleton shape of the kanji “tree” is displayed on a coordinate plane. In the example shown in FIG. 24, strokes # 3 and # 4 are approximated by straight lines for simplicity.
[0140]
FIG. 25 shows a correction table 2060 as an example of the correction table 42e stored in the auxiliary storage device 40. The correction table 2060 includes a correction pattern 1 and a correction pattern 2. In the correction pattern 1, the color element levels of the sub-pixels arranged in the vicinity of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character are “5”, “2”, “1” from the side closer to the basic part of the character to the side farther. "Are set in this order. The correction pattern 2 changes the color element level of the sub-pixel arranged near the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character from “4”, “2”, “1” from the side closer to the basic part of the character to the side farther from the basic part. "Are set in this order. How to properly use the correction pattern 1 and the correction pattern 2 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 30 (a) and 30 (b) and FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b).
[0141]
As described above, the correction pattern 1 and the correction pattern 2 are used for setting the color element level of the sub-pixel arranged near the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character.
[0142]
Note that the number of correction patterns included in the correction table 2060 is not limited to two. The correction table 2060 can have an arbitrary number of correction patterns of two or more. Further, the number of color element levels included in each correction pattern is not limited to three. Each correction pattern may have one or more arbitrary number of color element levels.
[0143]
FIG. 26 shows a luminance table 2070 as an example of the luminance table 42c stored in the auxiliary storage device 40. The luminance table 2070 defines the relationship between the color element level of the sub-pixel and the luminance level of the sub-pixel. By storing the luminance table 2070 in the auxiliary storage device 40, the color element level of the sub-pixel can be easily converted to the luminance level. In the luminance table 2070, eight color element levels (level 7 to level 0) of the sub-pixel are assigned to luminance levels 0 to 255 at substantially equal intervals.
[0144]
FIG. 27 shows a luminance table 2080 as another example of the luminance table 42c. The luminance table 2080 defines the relationship between the color element level of the sub-pixel and the luminance level of the sub-pixel. In the luminance table 2080, the luminance levels corresponding to levels 7 to 4 among the color element levels of the sub-pixels are biased toward the luminance level 0, and correspond to levels 3 to 0 among the color element levels of the sub-pixels. The luminance level is biased toward the luminance level 255. By defining the luminance table 2080 as shown in FIG. 27, the thickness of the character can be displayed to be apparently thin compared to the case where the luminance table 2070 shown in FIG. 26 is used. In other words, the character looks tight to the human eye.
[0145]
FIG. 28 shows a luminance table 2090 as another example of the luminance table 42c. The luminance table 2090 defines the relationship between the color element level of the sub-pixel and the luminance level of the sub-pixel. The brightness table 2090 is suitably used when the display device 10 is a color liquid crystal display device. By using the luminance table 2090, it is possible to correct that the luminance of the sub-pixel of the color element B is lower than the actual luminance when the luminance level of the sub-pixel of the color element B is low. As described above, by using a luminance table suitable for the display characteristics of the display device 10, it is possible to make colors other than black colored in characters less noticeable to human eyes.
[0146]
FIG. 29A shows a processing procedure of the character display program 41b. The character display program 41b is executed by the CPU 21. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the character display program 41b will be described for each step.
[0147]
Step S2001: A character code and a character size are input from the input device 30. For example, when the Chinese character “tree” is displayed on the display device 10, the character code 4458 (JIS section code, 44 section 58 points) is input. The character size is represented by, for example, the number of horizontal dots and the number of vertical dots of the displayed character. The character size is, for example, 20 dots × 20 dots.
[0148]
Step S2002: The skeleton data 42d for one character corresponding to the input character code is stored in the main memory 22.
[0149]
Step S2003: The coordinate data 2307 of the skeleton data 42d is scaled according to the input character size. By this scaling, a predetermined coordinate system for the coordinate data 2307 of the skeleton data 42d is converted to a real pixel coordinate system for the display device 10. However, this scaling is performed in consideration of the arrangement of the sub-pixels. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, when one pixel 12 has three sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B arranged in the X direction and the character size is 20 dots × 20 dots , The coordinate data 2307 of the skeleton data 42d is scaled to data of 60 (= 20 × 3) pixels × 20 pixels.
[0150]
Step S2004: Data for one stroke (stroke information 2303) is extracted from the skeleton data 42d.
[0151]
Step S2005: Based on the data (stroke information 2303) for one stroke extracted in step S2004, it is determined whether or not the stroke is a straight line. Such a determination is made by referring to the line type 2306 included in the stroke information 2303. If the determination in step S2005 is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S2006. If the determination in step S2005 is “No”, the process proceeds to step S2007.
[0152]
Step S2006: Scaled coordinate data 2307 is connected by a straight line. The sub-pixels arranged on the straight line are defined as a basic part of the character. Thus, the basic part of the character is defined in sub-pixel units.
[0153]
Step S2007: The scaled coordinate data 2307 is approximated by a curve. The curve is, for example, a spline curve. The sub-pixels located on the curve are defined as the basic part of the character. Thus, the basic part of the character is defined in sub-pixel units.
[0154]
Step S2008: The color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to the maximum color element level. For example, when the color element level of the sub-pixel is expressed in eight levels from level 7 to level 0, the color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to level 7.
[0155]
Step S2009: The color element level of the sub-pixel arranged near the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to one of level 6 to level 0 in accordance with a predetermined correction pattern selection rule. Details of the predetermined correction pattern selection rule will be described later with reference to FIGS. 30 (a) and 30 (b) and FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b). Such setting of the color element level is performed using, for example, the correction table 42e stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0156]
Step S2010: It is determined whether the processing of steps S2003 to S2009 has been completed for all strokes included in one character. If “No”, the process returns to step S2003. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S2011.
[0157]
Step S2011: The color element level of the sub-pixel is converted into a luminance level. Such a conversion is performed using, for example, the luminance table 42c stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0158]
Step S2012: The luminance data indicating the luminance level of the sub-pixel is transferred to the display device 10. As a result, the luminance level of the display device 10 is controlled in sub-pixel units.
[0159]
FIGS. 30A and 30B show how the color element level of a subpixel arranged adjacent to the left side of a subpixel corresponding to a basic part of a character is determined.
[0160]
The color element level of the subpixel located adjacent to the left side of the subpixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is from the top of the subpixel to the bottom regardless of the direction of the straight line connecting the start point and the end point of the stroke Are determined in order.
[0161]
In FIGS. 30A and 30B, attention is paid to one sub-pixel A corresponding to a basic part of a character. A subpixel located at the lower left of the subpixel A of interest is referred to as a subpixel B. A subpixel located at the upper left of the subpixel A of interest is referred to as a subpixel C.
[0162]
When at least one of the sub-pixel B and the sub-pixel C corresponds to the basic part of the character, the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the left of the sub-pixel A is determined according to the correction pattern 1 of the correction table 42e. The case of FIG. 30A corresponds to this case. For example, when the correction table 2060 (FIG. 25) is used as the correction table 42e, the correction pattern 1 is a pattern of "5", "2", and "1". Accordingly, the color element levels of the three sub-pixels adjacent to the left side of the sub-pixel A are set in the order of “5”, “2”, and “1” from the side closer to the sub-pixel A to the side farther away.
[0163]
When the sub-pixel B does not correspond to the basic part of the character and the sub-pixel C does not correspond to the basic part of the character, the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the left side of the sub-pixel A is corrected by the correction table 42e. Determined according to pattern 2. The case of FIG. 30B corresponds to this case. For example, when the correction table 2060 (FIG. 25) is used as the correction table 42e, the correction pattern 2 is a pattern of “4”, “2”, and “1”. Accordingly, the color element levels of three sub-pixels adjacent to the left side of the sub-pixel A are set in the order of “4”, “2”, and “1” from the side closer to the sub-pixel A to the side farther from the sub-pixel A.
[0164]
Here, when a plurality of subpixels corresponding to the basic part of the character are arranged in the horizontal direction, the leftmost subpixel is selected as the subpixel A.
[0165]
FIGS. 31A and 31B show how the color element level of a subpixel arranged adjacent to the right side of a subpixel corresponding to a basic part of a character is determined.
[0166]
The color element level of the subpixel located adjacent to the right of the subpixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is from the top of the subpixel to the bottom regardless of the direction of the straight line connecting the start point and the end point of the stroke Are determined in order.
[0167]
In FIGS. 31A and 31B, attention is paid to one sub-pixel A corresponding to a basic part of a character. A subpixel located at the lower right of the subpixel A of interest is referred to as a subpixel D. A sub-pixel located at the upper right of sub-pixel A of interest is referred to as sub-pixel E.
[0168]
When at least one of the sub-pixel D and the sub-pixel E corresponds to the basic part of the character, the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the right side of the sub-pixel A is determined according to the correction pattern 1 of the correction table 42e. FIG. 31A corresponds to this case. For example, when the correction table 2060 (FIG. 25) is used as the correction table 42e, the correction pattern 1 is a pattern of "5", "2", and "1". Accordingly, the color element levels of three sub-pixels adjacent to the right side of the sub-pixel A are set in the order of “5”, “2”, and “1” from the side closer to the sub-pixel A to the side farther from the sub-pixel A.
[0169]
When the sub-pixel D does not correspond to the basic part of the character and the sub-pixel E does not correspond to the basic part of the character, the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the right side of the sub-pixel A is corrected in the correction table 42e. Determined according to pattern 2. The case of FIG. 31B corresponds to this case. For example, when the correction table 2060 (FIG. 25) is used as the correction table 42e, the correction pattern 2 is a pattern of “4”, “2”, and “1”. Therefore, the color element levels of the three sub-pixels adjacent to the right side of the sub-pixel A are set in the order of “4”, “2”, and “1” from the side closer to the sub-pixel A to the side farther away.
[0170]
Here, when a plurality of subpixels corresponding to the basic portion of the character are arranged in the horizontal direction, the rightmost subpixel is selected as the subpixel A.
[0171]
In this way, the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is determined. In FIGS. 30 (a) and (b) and FIGS. 31 (a) and (b), numbers in rectangles representing sub-pixels indicate color element levels set for each sub-pixel.
[0172]
FIG. 32 shows an example in which the color element levels of all the sub-pixels of the display device 10 are set based on the skeleton data 42d representing the skeleton shape of the kanji “tree”. In FIG. 32, numbers in rectangles representing sub-pixels indicate color element levels set for each sub-pixel. The color element level of the blank part is level 0.
[0173]
The color element level of the sub-pixel as shown in FIG. 32 is obtained by synthesizing the color element level of the sub-pixel obtained for each stroke included in the skeleton data 42d.
[0174]
33A to 33D show examples in which the color element levels of the sub-pixels are set for strokes # 1 to # 4 of the Chinese character "tree", respectively. Such setting of the color element level of the sub-pixel can be performed by applying the correction pattern selection rule described with reference to FIGS. 30 (a) and 30 (b) and FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b). By giving priority to the maximum color element level of each sub-pixel for the planes 2141 to 2144 shown in FIGS. 33A to 33D, the color element levels shown in FIG. 32 are obtained.
[0175]
FIG. 34 shows an example in which the line width of a character is adjusted by adjusting the thickness of a basic portion of the character in subpixel units. In FIG. 34, a color element level of level 7 is set for the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character.
[0176]
In the example shown in FIG. 34, the thickness of the basic portion of the character indicated by “thin” is 1 subpixel, the thickness of the basic portion of the character indicated by “middle” is 2 subpixels, and The thickness of the basic part of the character indicated by "" is 3 sub-pixels.
[0177]
The line width information indicating the line width of the character is input from the input device 30 to the control unit 20 in step S2001 of FIG. 29A, for example. In steps S2006 and S2007 of FIG. 29A, a straight line or a curve corresponding to the input line width information of the character may be formed, and a sub-pixel on the straight line or the curve may be defined as a basic portion of the character.
[0178]
FIG. 35 shows an example in which the line width of a character is adjusted by adjusting the correction pattern in the correction table 42e. In FIG. 35, a color element level of level 7 is set for the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character.
[0179]
In the example shown in FIG. 35, the thickness of the basic portion of each character is one subpixel. However, the line width of the character increases as the number N of "weight N" increases.
[0180]
The color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is determined according to the correction pattern 1 or the correction pattern 2. As shown in FIG. 36, the correction pattern 1 is subdivided into the patterns of weights 1 to 5, the correction pattern 2 is subdivided into the patterns of weights 1 to 5, and the weights 1 to 5 are determined according to the line width of the character. It is possible to adjust the line width of the character by properly using them.
[0181]
The line width information indicating the line width of the character is input from the input device 30 to the control unit 20 in step S2001 of FIG. 29A, for example. In step S2009 of FIG. 29A, one of the weights 1 to 5 of the correction pattern 1 or one of the weights 1 to 5 of the correction pattern 2 is selected according to the line width information of the input character. The color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character may be set according to the selected correction pattern.
[0182]
FIG. 37 shows an example of a correction table 2180 as a modification of the correction table 42e. When characters of all sizes are generated using the same correction pattern, the stroke of a large-sized character looks thinner than the stroke of a small-sized character. By changing the correction pattern in accordance with the character size, it is possible to suppress the stroke thickness from varying depending on the character size.
[0183]
In the example shown in FIG. 37, different corrections are made for each of the three cases where the character size is 20 dots or less, the character size is 21 to 32 dots, and the character size is 33 to 48 dots. Patterns are available. As described above, by using the correction pattern suitable for the character size, it is possible to suppress the thickness of the stroke from varying. By further increasing the number of character size cases, it is possible to further suppress variations in stroke thickness.
[0184]
The correction pattern of the correction table 2180 can be used, for example, in step S2009 of FIG. 29A.
[0185]
In the first embodiment, generation of a character pattern based on an outline font has been described. The generation of the character pattern based on the skeleton data described in the second embodiment has advantages compared to the generation of the character pattern based on the outline font. The advantage will be described with reference to FIG.
[0186]
In generating a character pattern based on an outline font, a real number operation is used when scaling the outline data of a character according to the output size of the character. Therefore, the outline 2191 of the scaled character may be arranged so as to straddle the grid. Here, the grid means a boundary between pixels. In this case, the color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part 2192 of the character defined by the outline 2191 of the character is not set to the maximum value of the color element level (level 7 in this example). As a result, the basic part 2192 of the character is displayed as halftone.
[0187]
On the other hand, in the generation of a character pattern based on skeleton data, since the skeleton data itself does not have a thickness, the scaled skeleton data 2193 cannot be arranged so as to straddle a grid like scaling from an outline. Absent. A basic part 2194 of the character is defined based on the scaled skeleton data 2193. The color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part 2194 of the character is set to the maximum value of the color element level (level 7 in this example). As described above, according to the generation of the character pattern based on the skeleton data, there is always a portion set to the maximum value of the color element level in the character pattern. As a result, it is possible to display characters in a legible manner.
[0188]
Thus, rather than determining the line width of a character using the outline of the character and then performing scaling, determining the line width of the character after defining the basic part of the character based on the scaled skeleton data is more convenient. , Characters can be displayed in a legible manner.
[0189]
With reference to FIG. 39, correction of a basic portion of a character when the scaled skeleton data 2201 is a straight line extending in an oblique direction will be described.
[0190]
A basic part 2202 of the character is defined based on the scaled skeleton data 2201. The basic part 2202 of the character is composed of a part 2202a and a part 2202b which are arranged stepwise. Each of the portions 2202a and 2202b includes a plurality of sub-pixels (for example, three or more sub-pixels). The color element level of the subpixel corresponding to the basic part 2202 of the character is set to the maximum value of the color element level (level 7 in this example). The color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic portion 2202 of the character is set according to the correction pattern 1 or the correction pattern 2 of the correction table 42e. When the portions 2202a and 2202b in which the maximum value of the color element level is set continue over a plurality of sub-pixels like the basic portion 2202 of a character, a straight line extending in an oblique direction is difficult to be seen as a uniform straight line.
[0191]
In order to improve this, it is preferable to correct the basic part 2202 of the character to the basic part 2203 of the character. By setting the color element level of the sub-pixels 2202c and 2202d located at the connection between the portions 2202a and 2202b in the basic portion 2202 of the character to the minimum value (level 0 in this example), the basic portion 2203 of the character can get. The basic part 2203 of the character is composed of a part 2203a and a part 2203b. After the basic part 2202 of the character is corrected to the basic part 2203 of the character, the color element level of a sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part 2203 of the character is determined.
[0192]
Thus, if the array of sub-pixels corresponding to the basic portion of the character forms a particular pattern, the sub-pixels corresponding to the basic portion of the character may be separated to separate the basic portion of the character into at least two portions. The color element level is corrected. As a result, it is possible to eliminate blackish accumulation at the center of the straight line. Here, the term “blackish pool” means that two or more strokes having a certain width (area) cross or approach each other, so that the stroke appears to have a width (area) larger than the actual one. A phenomenon. As a result, a straight line extending in an oblique direction can be displayed as a uniform straight line.
[0193]
FIG. 40 shows an example of a correction table 2210 as a modification of the correction table 42e. The correction pattern of the correction table 2210 is defined so as to correspond to the skeleton data 42d (FIG. 23) representing the skeleton shape of the Chinese character "tree". That is, a correction pattern 2211 (4, 2, 1) is defined for stroke # 1, a correction pattern 2212 (5, 4, 2, 1) is defined for stroke # 2, and a correction pattern 2212 (5, 4, 2, 1) is defined for stroke # 3. Correction pattern 2213-1 (6, 4, 2, 1), correction pattern 2213-2 (6, 4, 2, 1), correction pattern 2213-3 (6, 4, 2, 1), correction pattern 2213-4 (5, 3, 1) are defined, and the correction pattern 2214-1 (6, 4, 2, 1), the correction pattern 2214-2 (6, 4, 2, 1), and the correction pattern 2214 for the stroke # 4 are defined. -3 (6, 4, 2, 1) and a correction pattern 2214-4 (5, 3, 1) are defined.
[0194]
The correction pattern 2213-1 is applied between the first point and the second point of the stroke # 3, and the correction pattern 221-3 is applied between the second point and the third point of the stroke # 3. 2213-3 is applied between the third point and the fourth point of the stroke # 3, and the correction pattern 2213-4 is applied between the fourth point and the fifth point of the stroke # 3. The same applies to the correction patterns 2214-1 to 2214-4.
[0195]
In this manner, by preparing a correction pattern for each stroke of the skeleton data 42d representing the basic part of the character, it is possible to perform fine color element level correction suitable for the character. This makes it possible to display characters with higher quality.
[0196]
The correction pattern of the correction table 2210 can be used, for example, in step S2009 of FIG. 29A.
[0197]
Although the correction table 2210 defines only one set of correction patterns for each stroke of the skeleton data 42d, a plurality of sets of correction patterns may be defined. In this case, for example, one of a plurality of sets of correction patterns is set according to the correction pattern selection and placement rules described with reference to FIGS. 30 (a) and 30 (b) and FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b). Used selectively.
[0198]
FIG. 41 shows an example in which the color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the Chinese character “tree” is set using the correction table 2210 shown in FIG. In FIG. 41, the color element level of the blank portion is level 0.
[0199]
FIG. 42 shows an example of a correction table 2230 as a modification of the correction table 42e. The correction pattern of the correction table 2230 is defined so as to correspond to the skeleton data 42d representing the kanji tree bias.
[0200]
By preparing a correction pattern for each kanji radical component in this way, it is possible to perform fine-grained color element level correction suitable for the kanji radical component. Furthermore, compared to the case where a correction pattern is prepared for each kanji, since the correction pattern can be shared for each radical part of the kanji, the memory capacity required for storing the correction pattern can be reduced. Can be.
[0201]
The correction pattern of the correction table 2230 can be used, for example, in step S2009 of FIG. 29A.
[0202]
FIG. 43 shows an example in which the color element levels of the sub-pixels corresponding to the tree bias of the kanji are set using the correction table 2230 shown in FIG. In FIG. 43, the color element level of the blank portion is level 0.
[0203]
FIG. 44 shows an example of a correction table 2250 as a modification of the correction table 42e. The correction pattern of the correction table 2250 is defined so as to correspond to the number of strokes of the skeleton data 42d representing the skeleton shape of the character. That is, (6,4,3,2,1) of the correction pattern 1 and (5,4,3,2,1) of the correction pattern 2 are defined for a character having a stroke number of 1 or more and 6 or less, (6, 4, 2, 1) of the correction pattern 1 and (5, 4, 2, 1) of the correction pattern 2 are defined for characters having a stroke number of 7 or more and 14 or less. , 2, 1) and (4, 2, 1) of the correction pattern 2 are defined for characters having 15 or more strokes.
[0204]
In this way, by properly using the correction pattern according to the number of strokes of the skeleton data, it is possible to prevent strokes of characters with a small number of strokes from appearing thinner than strokes of characters with a large number of strokes, and to correct even if the number of strokes increases It facilitates proper placement of patterns. By further increasing the number of cases of the number of strokes, the above-described effect can be more remarkably obtained.
[0205]
The correction pattern of the correction table 2250 can be used, for example, in step S2009 of FIG. 29A.
[0206]
FIG. 45 shows an example of a correction table 2260 as a modification of the correction table 42e. The correction pattern of the correction table 2260 is defined so as to correspond to the stroke inclination of the skeleton data 42d representing the skeleton shape of the character. That is, the correction pattern (3, 2) is defined for a stroke having a stroke inclination of 0 °, and the correction pattern (6, 3, 2, 1) is a stroke having a stroke inclination of more than 0 ° and 30 ° or less. The correction pattern (5, 3, 2) is defined for a stroke having a stroke inclination of more than 30 ° and 45 ° or less, and the correction pattern (6, 3, 1) has a stroke inclination of 45 °. The correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is defined for strokes greater than 60 ° and less than 60 ° and strokes with a slope of greater than 60 ° and less than 90 °.
[0207]
As described above, by using different correction patterns in accordance with the inclination of the stroke of the skeleton data, high-quality characters can be displayed. By further increasing the number of cases in which the stroke of the skeleton data is inclined, higher-quality characters can be displayed.
[0208]
The correction pattern of the correction table 2260 can be used, for example, in step S2009 of FIG. 29A.
[0209]
FIG. 46 shows an example of a correction table 2270 as a modification of the correction table 42e. The correction pattern of the correction table 2270 has a case where the distance between the part with the basic part of the character and the other part is large (in the case of A in FIG. 47) and the distance between the part with the basic part of the character and the other part is small. 47 (B in FIG. 47). That is, in the case of A in FIG. 47, the correction pattern 1 or the correction pattern 2 of the normal pattern of the correction table 2270 is used. Thus, the color element level of the sub-pixel is set as shown in A ′ of FIG. In the case of B in FIG. 47, the correction pattern 1 or the correction pattern 2 of the special pattern of the correction table 2270 is used. Thus, the color element level of the sub-pixel is set as shown in B ′ of FIG.
[0210]
In this manner, high-quality characters can be displayed by selectively using the correction patterns according to the degree of crowding of the basic portions of the characters.
[0211]
The correction pattern of the correction table 2270 can be used, for example, in step S2009 of FIG. 29A.
[0212]
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 15C shows a configuration of a character display device 1c according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0213]
In FIG. 15C, the same components as those shown in FIG. 15B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be described.
[0214]
FIG. 29B shows a processing procedure of the character display program 41c in the case of setting an auxiliary pattern representing a character typeface of a character based on the shape of a stroke. The character display program 41c is executed by the CPU 21. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the character display program 41c will be described for each step.
[0215]
Step S3001: A character code and a character size are input from the input device 30. For example, when the Chinese character “tree” is displayed on the display device 10, the character code 4458 (JIS section code, 44 section 58 points) is input. The character size is represented by, for example, the number of horizontal dots and the number of vertical dots of the displayed character. The character size is, for example, 20 dots × 20 dots.
[0216]
Step S3002: The skeleton data 42d for one character corresponding to the input character code is stored in the main memory 22.
[0219]
Step S3003: The coordinate data 2307 of the skeleton data 42d is scaled according to the input character size. By this scaling, a predetermined coordinate system for the coordinate data 2307 of the skeleton data 42d is converted to a real pixel coordinate system for the display device 10. However, this scaling is performed in consideration of the arrangement of the sub-pixels. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, when one pixel 12 has three sub-pixels 14R, 14G, and 14B arranged in the X direction and the character size is 20 dots × 20 dots , The coordinate data 2307 of the skeleton data 42d is scaled to data of 60 (= 20 × 3) pixels × 20 pixels.
[0218]
Step S3004: Data of one stroke (stroke information 2303) is extracted from the skeleton data 42d.
[0219]
Step S3005: Based on the data for one stroke (stroke information 2303) extracted in step S3004, it is determined whether or not the stroke is a straight line. Such a determination is made by referring to the line type 2306 included in the stroke information 2303. If the determination in step S3005 is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S3006, and if the determination in step S3005 is “No”, the process proceeds to step S3007.
[0220]
Step S3006: Scaled coordinate data 2307 is connected by a straight line. The sub-pixels arranged on the straight line are defined as a basic part of the character. Thus, the basic part of the character is defined in sub-pixel units.
[0221]
Step S3007: The scaled coordinate data 2307 is approximated by a curve. The curve is, for example, a spline curve. The sub-pixels located on the curve are defined as the basic part of the character. Thus, the basic part of the character is defined in sub-pixel units.
[0222]
Step S3081: The color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to the maximum color element level. For example, when the color element level of the sub-pixel is expressed in eight levels from level 7 to level 0, the color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to level 7.
[0223]
Step S3082: The same process as step S3081 is performed.
[0224]
Step S3021: It is determined whether or not the stroke is a vertical line (that is, a straight line parallel to the Y direction (FIG. 21)). Such a determination is made by referring to the coordinate data 2307 included in the stroke information 2303. For example, if the difference between the X coordinate of one end of the stroke and the X coordinate of the other end is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, the stroke is determined to be a vertical line.
[0225]
If the determination result is “Yes” in step S3021, the process proceeds to step S3023. If the determination result is “No” in step S3021, the process proceeds to step S3022.
[0226]
Step S3022: It is determined whether or not the stroke is a horizontal line (that is, a straight line parallel to the X direction (FIG. 21)). Such a determination is made by referring to the coordinate data 2307 included in the stroke information 2303. For example, if the difference between the Y coordinate of one end of the stroke and the Y coordinate of the other end is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, the stroke is determined to be a horizontal line.
[0227]
If the determination result is “Yes” in step S3022, the process proceeds to step S3024. If the determination result is “No” in step S3022, the process proceeds to step S3009.
[0228]
Step S3023: Of the sub-pixels adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character, at least one of the sub-pixels adjacent in the X direction (that is, the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, 14B (see FIG. 21)). The color element level is set to one of level 6 to level 0. Which sub-pixel is to be set for the color element level for the vertical stroke is determined in advance. For example, at the upper end of a vertical stroke, the color element levels of two subpixels adjacent to the right side of the basic part of the character are set to level 6. This means that the auxiliary pattern (6, 6) is arranged at a predetermined position on the right side of the basic part of the character. The auxiliary pattern represents the characteristics of a specific typeface of a character (for example, “Mincho style”).
[0229]
Step S3024: At least one sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character in the Y direction (ie, the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels 14R, 14G, 14B) Is set to one of level 6 to level 0. Which sub-pixel is to be set for the color element level for the horizontal stroke is determined in advance. For example, at the second position from the right end of the horizontal stroke, the color element level of one sub-pixel adjacent above the basic part of the character is set to level 6. This means that the auxiliary pattern (6) is arranged at a predetermined position above the basic part of the character. The auxiliary pattern represents the characteristics of a specific typeface of a character (for example, “Mincho style”).
[0230]
Step S3009: The color element level of the sub-pixel arranged near the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to one of level 6 to level 0 according to a predetermined correction pattern selection rule. However, when an auxiliary pattern is arranged, the color element level of the sub-pixel arranged near the sub-pixel corresponding to the auxiliary pattern is set to one of level 6 to level 0 according to a predetermined correction pattern selection rule. Is set. Level 0 of the auxiliary pattern is overwritten by level 6 to level 1 of the predetermined correction pattern. The details of the predetermined correction pattern selection rule are as already described with reference to FIGS. 30 (a) and (b) and FIGS. 31 (a) and (b). Such setting of the color element level is performed using, for example, the correction table 42e stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0231]
Step S3010: It is determined whether or not the processing of steps S3003 to S3009 has been completed for all strokes included in one character. If “No”, the process returns to step S3003. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S3011.
[0232]
Step S3011: The color element level of the sub-pixel is converted to a luminance level. Such a conversion is performed using, for example, the luminance table 42c stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0233]
Step S3012: The luminance data indicating the luminance level of the sub-pixel is transferred to the display device 10. As a result, the luminance level of the display device 10 is controlled in sub-pixel units.
[0234]
In this manner, depending on whether the stroke is a vertical line or a horizontal line, the auxiliary pattern representing the character of the typeface of the character is arranged so as to be adjacent to the basic portion of the character, and is adjacent to the basic portion of the character or the auxiliary pattern. By arranging the correction patterns as described above, it becomes possible to represent the characteristics of the typeface of the character.
[0235]
FIGS. 50A to 50C show examples of the arrangement of the auxiliary pattern and the correction pattern for the vertical stroke. In FIGS. 50A to 50C, the numbers indicate the color element levels of the respective sub-pixels. The vertical stroke defines the basic part of the character. The color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to level 7 (FIG. 50 (a)). Next, the auxiliary pattern (6, 6) is arranged at a predetermined position on the upper right side of the basic part of the character (FIG. 50 (b)). Next, a correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is arranged from the side closer to the basic part of the character or the auxiliary pattern (6, 6) to the side farther away (FIG. 50 (c)).
[0236]
FIGS. 51A to 51C show examples of the arrangement of the auxiliary pattern and the correction pattern for the horizontal stroke. In FIGS. 51A to 51C, the numbers indicate the color element levels of the respective sub-pixels. The horizontal stroke defines the basic part of the character. The color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to level 7 (FIG. 51A). Next, the auxiliary pattern (6) is arranged at a predetermined position above the right end of the basic part of the character (FIG. 51 (b)). Next, a correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is arranged from the side closer to the basic part of the character or the auxiliary pattern (6) to the side farther away (FIG. 51 (c)).
[0237]
FIG. 54 (a) shows an example in which auxiliary patterns and correction patterns are arranged for a vertical stroke (stroke # 2 shown in FIG. 24) and a horizontal stroke (stroke # 1 shown in FIG. 24) of the Chinese character "ki". Is shown.
[0238]
When arranging the auxiliary pattern near the basic part of the character, the description of the correction pattern arranging rule described with reference to FIGS. 30 (a) and 30 (b) and FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b) , The "basic part of the character" may be replaced with the "basic part of the character or a part other than level 0 of the auxiliary pattern".
[0239]
FIG. 29C shows a processing procedure of the character display program 41d when setting an auxiliary pattern representing the characteristics of a character typeface based on the typeface attribute table 42f. The character display program 41d is executed by the CPU 21. 29C, the same steps as those shown in FIG. 29B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0240]
The typeface attribute table 42f is stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 as a part of the data 42. Therefore, the configuration of the character display device 1d for executing the character display program 41d shown in FIG. 29C is as shown in FIG. 15D.
[0241]
FIG. 48 shows the structure of the typeface attribute table 42f stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.
[0242]
The typeface attribute table 42f defines, for each stroke constituting a character, where to place an auxiliary pattern representing the characteristics of the typeface of the character. The font type attribute table 42f includes a character code 3601 for identifying the type of character, and stroke information 3610 corresponding to each stroke.
[0243]
The stroke information 3610 includes a stroke number 3602 for distinguishing strokes, one or more auxiliary pattern sets 3604, and an auxiliary pattern set number 3603 indicating the number of auxiliary pattern sets 3604.
[0244]
The auxiliary pattern set 3604 includes a coordinate number 3605, an arrangement direction flag 3606, an arrangement position flag 3607, one or more auxiliary patterns 3609 representing a character typeface of a character, and the number of auxiliary patterns 3608 indicating the number of the auxiliary patterns 3609. including.
[0245]
The coordinate number 3605 indicates a number (1, 2, 3,...) Assigned to the coordinate data 2307 which is a reference of the place where the auxiliary pattern is arranged, among the coordinate data 2307 included in the skeleton data 42d.
[0246]
The arrangement position flag 3607 indicates the positional relationship between the stroke and the auxiliary pattern 3609. The arrangement position flag 3607 indicates one of “right side” or “upper side”, “left side” or “lower side”. When the arrangement position flag 3607 indicates “right side”, it means that one or more auxiliary patterns 3609 are arranged on the right side of the stroke. When the arrangement position flag 3607 indicates “upper”, it means that one or more auxiliary patterns 3609 are arranged above the stroke. When the arrangement position flag 3607 indicates “left side”, it means that one or more auxiliary patterns 3609 are arranged on the left side of the stroke. When the arrangement position flag 3607 indicates “lower”, it means that one or more auxiliary patterns 3609 are arranged below the stroke.
[0247]
When the arrangement position flag 3607 indicates “left” or “right”, the arrangement direction flag 3606 indicates a direction in which one or more auxiliary patterns 3609 are arranged with respect to the direction of the stroke. In this case, one or more values included in the auxiliary pattern 3609 are arranged from the side closer to the stroke to the side farther from the stroke. When the arrangement position flag 3607 indicates “upper” or “lower”, the arrangement direction flag 3606 indicates a direction in which one or more values included in the auxiliary pattern 3609 are arranged with respect to the direction of the stroke. In this case, one or more auxiliary patterns 3609 are arranged from the side closer to the stroke to the side farther from the stroke. The arrangement direction flag 3606 indicates either “forward” or “reverse”.
[0248]
The auxiliary pattern 3609 is represented, for example, as (0, 6), (6, 6, 6). The auxiliary pattern (0, 6) indicates that the color element levels of two sub-pixels adjacent in the X direction are set to level 0 and level 6, respectively. The auxiliary patterns (6, 6, 6) indicate that the color element levels of three sub-pixels adjacent in the X direction are set to level 6, level 6, and level 6, respectively.
[0249]
FIG. 49 shows a typeface attribute table 3600 as an example of the typeface attribute table 42f stored in the auxiliary storage device 40. The typeface attribute table 3600 defines the characteristics of a specific typeface (for example, “Mincho”) of the Chinese character “tree”.
[0250]
In FIG. 29C, in step S3008, the color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to the maximum color element level. For example, when the color element level of the sub-pixel is expressed in eight levels from level 7 to level 0, the color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to level 7.
[0251]
In step S3031, the color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to one of level 6 to level 0 based on the font attribute table 42f. The position of the auxiliary pattern 3609 with respect to the basic part of the character is defined in advance in the font attribute table 42f.
[0252]
In this way, the auxiliary pattern representing the character of the font of the character is arranged so as to be adjacent to the basic portion of the character based on the font type attribute table 42f, and the correction pattern is arranged so as to be adjacent to the basic portion of the character or the auxiliary pattern. , It is possible to represent the characteristics of the typeface of the character.
[0253]
FIGS. 52A to 52C show examples of the arrangement of the auxiliary pattern and the correction pattern for stroke # 1 of the kanji “tree”. In FIGS. 52A to 52C, the numbers indicate the color element levels of the respective sub-pixels. Stroke # 1 defines the basic part of the character. The color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to level 7 (FIG. 52 (a)). Next, based on the typeface attribute table 3600 (FIG. 49), the coordinate data 2 of the stroke # 1 is assisted in the reverse direction (ie, in the direction from the right end point to the left end point of the stroke # 1) above the stroke # 1. The pattern (0, 6) is arranged (FIG. 52 (b)). Next, a correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is arranged from the side closer to the basic part of the character or the auxiliary pattern (0, 6) to the side farther away (FIG. 52 (c)).
[0254]
FIGS. 53A to 53C show examples of the arrangement of the auxiliary pattern and the correction pattern for stroke # 4 of the kanji “tree”. In FIGS. 53A to 53C, the numbers indicate the color element levels of the respective sub-pixels. Stroke # 4 defines the basic part of the character. The color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to level 7 (FIG. 53 (a)). Next, based on the typeface attribute table 3600 (FIG. 49), from the coordinate data 5 of the stroke # 4, to the left of the stroke # 4 in the reverse direction (that is, the direction from the lower right point to the upper left point of the stroke # 4). The auxiliary patterns (6, 6, 6) and (6, 6) are arranged (FIG. 53B). Next, a correction pattern (5,2,1) or (4,2,1) from the side closer to the basic part or the auxiliary pattern (6,6,6) or (6,6) of the character from the side closer to the side. (FIG. 53 (c)).
[0255]
FIG. 54B shows an example in which auxiliary patterns and correction patterns are arranged for each of the strokes # 1 to # 4 of the kanji "tree" based on the typeface attribute table 3600 (FIG. 49). The kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 54 (b) can be provided with an auxiliary pattern for each of the strokes # 1 to # 4, so that the kanji “ki” shown in FIG. In comparison, the characteristics of the kanji “ki” typeface can be expressed more clearly. For example, the kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 54 (b) is superior to the kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 54 (a) in that it can express “Harai” of stroke # 4. .
[0256]
The subpixel color element levels as shown in FIGS. 54 (a) and 54 (b) are obtained by synthesizing the subpixel color element levels obtained for each stroke included in the skeleton data 42d. Can be Here, when combining a plurality of color element levels, the highest color element level among the plurality of color element levels has priority.
[0257]
When the variable width of the character size (the number of dots) displayed on the display device 10 is large, it is preferable to selectively use one of the plurality of typeface attribute tables according to the character size. .
[0258]
FIG. 55 shows the structure of the typeface attribute table 42f when one of a plurality of typeface attribute tables is selectively used according to the size of the character. In the example shown in FIG. 55, the typeface attribute table # 1 is selectively used when the character size is 20 dots or less, and the typeface attribute table # 2 when the character size is 21 dots or more and 32 dots or less. Is selectively used, and when the size of the character is 33 dots or more and 48 dots or less, the typeface attribute table # 3 is selectively used.
[0259]
The structure of typeface attribute tables # 1 to # 3 is the same as the structure of typeface attribute table 42f shown in FIG.
[0260]
FIG. 56 shows typeface attribute tables # 1 to # 3 corresponding to the Chinese character "tree" as an example of the typeface attribute tables # 1 to # 3.
[0261]
FIG. 57A shows the color element levels set for each sub-pixel when the kanji “tree” is displayed with 32 dots. FIG. 57B shows an example in which the characteristics of the kanji “ki” font are added to the 32 dot kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 57A using the font attribute table # 2 shown in FIG. 56. FIG. 57C shows an example in which the characteristics of the kanji “ki” font are added to the 32-dot kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 57A using the font attribute table # 1 shown in FIG. 56. When comparing FIG. 57B and FIG. 57C, the kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 57B has a higher-quality kanji “ki” typeface characteristic than the kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 57C. You can see that it is expressed. This is because a typeface attribute table suitable for the character size (32 dots) is used.
[0262]
FIG. 58A shows the color element levels set for each sub-pixel when the kanji “tree” is displayed at 40 dots. FIG. 58B shows an example in which the characteristics of the kanji “ki” font are added to the 40-dot kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 58A using the font attribute table # 3 shown in FIG. 56. FIG. 58C shows an example in which the characteristics of the kanji “ki” font are added to the 40-dot kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 58A using the font attribute table # 1 shown in FIG. When comparing FIG. 58B with FIG. 58C, the kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 58B has a higher quality characteristic of the kanji “ki” typeface than the kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 58C. You can see that it is expressed. This is because a typeface attribute table suitable for a character size (40 dots) is used.
[0263]
It is also possible to have a plurality of typeface attribute tables corresponding to the character size for each character. In this case, the characteristics of the typeface of the character are expressed with higher quality compared to the case where there are multiple typeface attribute tables according to the character size, common to all characters (or a specific character set). It becomes possible to do.
[0264]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 59 (a) to 59 (d), an example will be described in which various correction patterns are placed on the left and right of the basic part of the character to smoothly adjust the thickness of the vertical line of the character.
[0265]
FIG. 59 (a) sets the color element level of the basic part of the character corresponding to the vertical line of the character (for example, stroke # 2 of the kanji "tree") to level 7, and sets the color element level on the left and right of the basic part of the character. This shows a case where a correction pattern (4, 2) is placed from the side closer to the basic part of the character to the side farther from the basic part.
[0266]
Similarly, FIG. 59B shows a case where a correction pattern of (5, 2, 1) is placed on the left and right sides of the basic part of the character from the side closer to the basic part of the character to the side farther from it. FIG. 59 (c) shows a case where a correction pattern (5, 3, 2) is placed on the left and right sides of the basic part of the character from the side closer to the basic part of the character to the side farther away. d) shows a case where a correction pattern (5, 4, 2, 1) is placed on the left and right sides of the basic part of the character from the side closer to the basic part of the character to the side farther from the basic part.
[0267]
As shown in FIGS. 59 (a) to 59 (d), by placing various correction patterns on the left and right of the basic part of the character, the vertical line of the character is changed from FIG. 59 (a) to FIG. 59 (d). It looks smooth and thick. In this way, it is possible to apparently change the thickness of the character without changing the thickness of the basic part of the character.
[0268]
Hereinafter, an example in which various correction patterns are placed above and below a basic portion of a character to smoothly adjust the width of a horizontal line of the character will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0269]
In FIG. 60A, the color element level of the basic part of the character corresponding to the horizontal line of the character (for example, stroke # 1 of the kanji “tree”) is set to level 7, and the left and right of the basic part of the character are This shows a case where a correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is placed from the side closer to the basic part of the character to the side farther away. No correction pattern is placed above and below the basic part of the character.
[0270]
In FIG. 60B, the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper side of the basic part of the character is set to level 3, and the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper side of the correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is set to The case where (2, 1, 0) is set is shown. Here, the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper side of the correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is the color element level of the correction pattern (4, 2, 1) and the upper side of the correction pattern (4, 2, 1). Is substantially equal to the ratio of the color element level of the basic part of the character to the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent above the basic part of the character (ie, 7: 3). Set to be equal. If the color element level does not become an integer as a result of calculating the above ratio, processing such as rounding is appropriately performed so that the color element level becomes an integer.
[0271]
FIG. 60C shows a case where the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the lower side of the basic part of the character is set to level 3, and the color element of the sub-pixel adjacent to the lower side of the correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is set. The case where the level is set to (2, 1, 0) is shown.
[0272]
FIG. 60D shows a case where the color element levels of the sub-pixels adjacent to the upper and lower sides of the basic part of the character are set to level 3, and the sub-pixels adjacent to the upper and lower sides of the correction pattern (4, 2, 1) are set. The case where the color element level of the pixel is set to (2, 1, 0) is shown.
[0273]
As shown in FIGS. 60A to 60D, the color element levels of the sub-pixels adjacent to the upper or lower side of the correction pattern on the left and right of the basic part of the character and the basic part of the character are set to predetermined levels. As a result, the horizontal line of the character looks smooth and thick in the order of FIG. 60 (a), FIG. 60 (b) or FIG. 60 (c), FIG. 60 (d). In this way, it is possible to apparently change the thickness of the character without changing the thickness of the basic part of the character.
[0274]
In FIG. 60B and FIG. 60C, the thickness of the characters is apparently the same. However, the horizontal line shown in FIG. 60 (b) appears to be arranged slightly upward, and the horizontal line shown in FIG. 60 (c) appears to be arranged slightly downward. The horizontal line shown in FIG. 60 (b) and the horizontal line shown in FIG. 60 (c) can be selectively used in consideration of the presence / absence of adjacent strokes and the distance between the strokes. For example, when the output size of a character is small, the horizontal line shown in FIG. 60B is used as the top horizontal line of the kanji “country”, and the horizontal line shown in FIG. By using the horizontal line shown in (c), it is possible to suppress the accumulation of darkness and the collapse of characters. Here, the “character collapse” refers to a result of reducing the size of the character (that is, the number of dots used to display the character), or that two or more strokes having a certain width intersect or This refers to a state in which the space of the character is excessively narrowed by approaching, so that it is difficult to recognize the character as a character.
[0275]
Since the center of gravity of the horizontal line shown in FIG. 60B apparently moves slightly upward, even if the character including the horizontal line is underlined, it is affected by the change in the center of gravity due to the underline. Hateful.
[0276]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 61A to 61C, an example in which the thickness of the horizontal line of the character is smoothly adjusted by adjusting the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper side of the basic portion of the character. explain.
[0277]
FIG. 61A shows that the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper side of the basic part of the character is set to level 2 and the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper side of the correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is The case where (1, 1, 0) is set is shown.
[0278]
FIG. 61B shows that the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper side of the basic part of the character is set to level 5, and the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper side of the correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is The case where (3, 1, 1) is set is shown.
[0279]
FIG. 61C shows that the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper side of the basic part of the character is set to level 6, and the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper side of the correction pattern (4, 2, 1) is The case where (3, 2, 1) is set is shown.
[0280]
As shown in FIGS. 61 (a) to 61 (c), by adjusting the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the upper part of the basic part of the character, the horizontal line of the character can be changed from FIG. 61 (a) to FIG. It looks smooth and thick in the order of c). In this way, it is possible to apparently change the thickness of the character without changing the thickness of the basic part of the character.
[0281]
In the examples shown in FIGS. 61A to 61C, the thickness of the character is adjusted by adjusting only the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent above the basic portion of the character. Similarly, the thickness of the character can be adjusted by adjusting only the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the lower side of the basic portion of the character. Alternatively, the thickness of the character can be adjusted by adjusting the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent above the basic part of the character and the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent below the basic part of the character. It is.
[0282]
In the third embodiment, the color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to the maximum color element level (for example, level 7). However, there are cases where it is preferable to set the color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character to a color element level other than the maximum color element level. The setting of such a color element level is performed, for example, for the purpose of suppressing accumulation of blackness of a character in a portion where the character is mixed. Alternatively, such setting of the color element level may be performed for the purpose of expressing a typeface characteristic such as, for example, “blurred image”.
[0283]
The basic part table 42g is stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 as a part of the data 42. Therefore, the configuration of the character display device 1e referring to the basic portion table 42g is as shown in FIG. 15E.
[0284]
FIG. 62A shows the structure of the basic partial table 42g stored in the auxiliary storage device 40. The basic part table 42g determines the value of the color element level of the basic part of the character defined by the stroke for each stroke constituting the character / radical. The basic part table 42g includes a character / radical code 3701 for identifying a character / radical, and stroke information 3702 corresponding to each stroke.
[0285]
The stroke information 3702 includes a stroke number 3703 for distinguishing strokes, and a color element level 3704 representing a color element level of a basic portion located on a line connecting points in each stroke. The stroke number 3703 corresponds to the stroke number 2304 (FIG. 22) of the skeleton data 42d.
[0286]
FIG. 62 (b) shows a basic part table 3700 corresponding to the kanji character “Fish” as an example of the basic part table 42g. According to the basic portion table 3700 shown in FIG. 62 (b), the color element levels of the basic portions of the characters corresponding to the strokes # 8 to # 13 of the kanji character "Uo-Bai" are levels other than the maximum level ( That is, it is set to level 6 or level 5). As a result, it is possible to suppress the blackness of the character from being accumulated in the portion where the characters are mixed (that is, the portion inside the “field” or the portion of the “brick (four dots)”).
[0287]
FIG. 63 shows an example of the skeleton data 3800 representing the skeleton shape of the kanji character “Fish”, as an example of the skeleton data 42d. The skeleton data 3800 has 13 strokes # 1 to # 13.
[0288]
FIG. 64 shows an example in which skeleton data 3800 representing the skeleton shape of the kanji character “Fish” is displayed on a coordinate plane. In FIG. 64, numbers indicate stroke numbers.
[0289]
FIG. 65 (a) shows a case where the color element level of the basic portion of the character corresponding to the kanji character "fish" is set to the maximum color element level (that is, level 7), and correction patterns are set on the left and right of the basic portion of the character. The result is shown. FIG. 65 (b) shows that the basic element table 3700 (FIG. 62 (b)) is used to set the color element level of a part of the basic part of the character corresponding to the kanji character “fish” to level 5 or level 6. The results are shown. In this way, by setting the color element level of a part of the basic part of the character to a low level, it is possible to suppress the blackness of the character in the part where the character is mixed. As a result, it is possible to improve the blackness balance of the entire character.
[0290]
FIG. 66 shows a basic part table 3900 corresponding to the Chinese character "tree" as an example of the basic part table 42g. According to the basic part table 3900 shown in FIG. 66, the color element level of the basic part of the character corresponding to the leading end of the stroke # 3 corresponding to the "left" of the Chinese character "tree" is a level other than the maximum level. (That is, level 6 or level 5). As a result, it is possible to express a unique feature in the kanji “ki” typeface, that is, “shadow” at the tip of “left-handed”.
[0291]
FIG. 67 (a) shows the result of using the basic part table 3900 (FIG. 66) to set the color element level of a part of the basic part of the character corresponding to the Chinese character "tree" to level 5 or level 6. . FIG. 67 (b) shows the result of placing the correction pattern (4,2,1) or (5,2,1) on the left and right of the basic part of the character shown in FIG. 67 (a). In this way, by setting the color element level of a part of the basic part of the character to a low level, the blackness of the character can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to express a unique feature in a typeface such as "shading" at the tip of "Harai".
[0292]
In the third embodiment, Japanese characters have been described as an example. However, application of the present invention is not limited to Japanese characters. By applying the present invention to characters in any other language (for example, Chinese characters, European characters, Hangul characters, Arabic characters, etc.), it is possible to adjust the thickness of characters, It is possible to express features and suppress blackness of characters.
[0294]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a character display device, a character display method, and a recording medium capable of displaying characters with high definition using a display device capable of color display.
[0295]
According to the present invention, a plurality of color elements corresponding to a plurality of sub-pixels are independently controlled. This makes it possible to perform sub-pixel-unit control more finely than conventional pixel-unit control. Further, by appropriately controlling the color elements of the sub-pixels in the vicinity of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character, it is possible to make colors other than black that are colored in the character less noticeable to human eyes. As a result, not only the outline of the character but also the character itself can be displayed on the display device with high definition.
[0296]
According to the present invention, a basic part of a character is defined based on skeleton data representing a skeleton shape of the character. The color element level of the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to a predetermined color element level. Based on at least one correction pattern, the color element level of a subpixel adjacent to the subpixel corresponding to the basic part of the character is set to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level. In this way, by independently controlling the color element levels of the sub-pixels, it is possible to perform sub-pixel-unit control more finely than conventional pixel-unit control. As a result, the resolution of the character can be increased in a pseudo manner. Further, by appropriately controlling the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character, it is possible to make colors other than black that are colored in the character less noticeable to the human eye. . As a result, not only the outline of the character but also the character itself can be displayed on the display device with high definition.
[0297]
According to the present invention, the color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character displayed on the display device is set to a predetermined color element level, and the basic part of the character is The color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to the corresponding at least one specific sub-pixel in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels is a color other than the predetermined color element level. Set at the element level. In this way, by independently controlling the color element levels of the sub-pixels, it is possible to perform sub-pixel-unit control more finely than conventional pixel-unit control. As a result, the resolution of the character can be increased in a pseudo manner. Further, by appropriately controlling the color element level of the sub-pixel adjacent to the sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character, it is possible to make colors other than black that are colored in the character less noticeable to the human eye. . As a result, not only the outline of the character but also the character itself can be displayed on the display device with high definition.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline shape of an ideal oblique line 102. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which a diagonal line 102 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on a display surface 200 using a conventional dot font.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which a diagonal line 102 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on a display surface 300 using a conventional grayscale font.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a display surface 400 of a display device 10 that can be used in the character display device 1a of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which oblique lines 102 shown in FIG. 1 are displayed on a display surface 400 of the display device 10.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which a diagonal line shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the display surface 400 of the display device 10 thinner than the diagonal line shown in FIG.
7 is a diagram showing an example in which the diagonal line 102 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the display surface 400 of the display device 10 thicker than the diagonal line shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing Hiragana “I” font data actually designed based on the character display principle according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a luminance table 92 that defines a relationship between a color element level of a subpixel and a luminance level of the subpixel.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a luminance table 94 that defines a relationship between a color element level of a subpixel and a luminance level of the subpixel.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a luminance table 96 that defines a relationship between a color element level of a subpixel and a luminance level of the subpixel.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing font data of “kan” of Chinese characters actually designed based on the display principle of characters according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which an ideal oblique line 104 is displayed on the display surface 400 of the display device 10.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which the ideal oblique lines 104 shown in FIG. 13 are displayed on the display surface 400 of the display device 10.
FIG. 15A is a diagram showing a configuration of a character display device 1a according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 15B is a diagram showing a configuration of a character display device 1b according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 15C is a diagram showing a configuration of a character display device 1c according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 15D is a diagram showing a configuration of a character display device 1d according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 15E is a diagram showing a configuration of a character display device 1e according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the structure of character outline information 42a.
FIG. 17A is a diagram showing a structure of color element level information 42b.
FIG. 17B is a diagram showing an example of color element level information 42b.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a character display program 41a.
FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining how a color element level of a sub-pixel arranged near a sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of a character is determined.
FIG. 20 is a diagram in which the hiragana “i” font data actually designed based on the character display principle according to the present invention and the ideal outline of the hiragana “i” are superimposed and displayed. .
FIG. 21 is a diagram schematically showing a display surface 400 of a display device 10 usable for the character display device 1b of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a structure of skeleton data 42d.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of skeleton data 42d representing a skeleton shape of a Chinese character “tree”.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example in which skeleton data 42d representing a skeleton shape of a Chinese character “tree” is displayed on a coordinate plane.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the structure of a correction table 2060.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a structure of a luminance table 2070.
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a structure of a luminance table 2080.
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a structure of a luminance table 2090.
FIG. 29A is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a character display program 41b.
FIG. 29B is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a character display program 41c.
FIG. 29C is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the character display program 41d.
FIGS. 30A and 30B are diagrams showing how a color element level of a subpixel arranged adjacent to the left side of a subpixel corresponding to a basic part of a character is determined; .
FIGS. 31A and 31B are diagrams showing how the color element level of a subpixel arranged adjacent to the right side of a subpixel corresponding to a basic part of a character is determined. .
FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example in which color element levels of all sub-pixels of the display device 10 are set.
FIG. 33A is a diagram illustrating an example in which a color element level of a sub-pixel is set for a stroke # 1 of a kanji “tree”.
FIG. 33B is a diagram illustrating an example in which a color element level of a sub-pixel is set for a stroke # 2 of a kanji “tree”.
FIG. 33C is a diagram illustrating an example in which a color element level of a sub-pixel is set for a stroke # 3 of a kanji “tree”.
FIG. 33D is a diagram illustrating an example in which a color element level of a sub-pixel is set for a stroke # 4 of a kanji “tree”.
FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the line width of a character is adjusted by adjusting the thickness of a basic portion of the character in subpixel units.
FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjusting a line width of a character by adjusting a correction pattern in a correction table 42e.
FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the structure of a correction table 2170.
FIG. 37 is a view showing the structure of a correction table 2180.
FIG. 38 is a diagram for describing generation of a character pattern based on skeleton data 42d.
FIG. 39 is a diagram for explaining correction of a basic part of a character when the scaled skeleton data 2201 is a straight line extending in an oblique direction.
FIG. 40 is a diagram showing the structure of a correction table 2210.
FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a color element level of a sub-pixel corresponding to a Chinese character “tree” is set.
FIG. 42 is a diagram showing the structure of a correction table 2230.
FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a color element level of a sub-pixel corresponding to a tree bias of a kanji is set.
FIG. 44 is a view showing the structure of a correction table 2250.
FIG. 45 is a diagram showing the structure of a correction table 2260.
FIG. 46 is a diagram showing the structure of a correction table 2270.
FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a correction pattern is selectively used according to a distance between a certain portion of a basic portion of a character and another portion.
FIG. 48 is a diagram showing the structure of a typeface attribute table 42f.
FIG. 49 is a diagram showing the structure of a typeface attribute table 3600 corresponding to the Chinese character “tree”.
FIGS. 50A to 50C are diagrams showing examples of the arrangement of auxiliary patterns and correction patterns for a vertical stroke.
FIGS. 51A to 51C are diagrams illustrating an example of the arrangement of an auxiliary pattern and a correction pattern for a horizontal stroke.
FIGS. 52 (a) to 52 (c) are diagrams showing an example of the arrangement of an auxiliary pattern and a correction pattern for stroke # 1 of a Chinese character “tree”.
FIGS. 53 (a) to (c) are diagrams showing an example of the arrangement of an auxiliary pattern and a correction pattern for stroke # 4 of the Chinese character “tree”.
FIG. 54 (a) is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of auxiliary patterns and correction patterns for the vertical stroke and horizontal stroke of the kanji “tree”, and FIG. 54 (b) is based on the typeface attribute table; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of auxiliary patterns and correction patterns for strokes # 1 to # 4 of FIG.
FIG. 55 is a diagram showing the structure of a font attribute table 42f when one of a plurality of font attribute tables is selectively used according to the size of a character.
FIG. 56 is a diagram showing the structure of typeface attribute tables # 1 to # 3 corresponding to the Chinese character "tree".
FIG. 57A is a diagram showing a color element level set for each sub-pixel when a Chinese character “tree” is displayed with 32 dots.
FIG. 57B is a diagram showing an example in which the characteristics of the kanji “ki” font are added to the 32-dot kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 57A using the font attribute table # 2.
FIG. 57C is a diagram showing an example in which the characteristics of the kanji “ki” typeface are added to the 32-dot kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 57A using the font type attribute table # 1.
FIG. 58A is a diagram showing a color element level set for each sub-pixel when a Chinese character “tree” is displayed at 40 dots.
FIG. 58B is a diagram showing an example in which the characteristics of the kanji “ki” font are added to the 40-dot kanji “ki” shown in FIG. 58A using the font attribute table # 3.
FIG. 58C is a diagram showing an example in which the characteristics of the kanji “tree” are added to the 40-dot kanji “tree” shown in FIG. 58A using the font type attribute table # 1.
FIGS. 59A to 59D are diagrams illustrating an example in which various correction patterns are placed on the left and right of a basic part of a character to smoothly adjust the thickness of a vertical line of the character.
FIGS. 60 (a) to (d) are diagrams illustrating an example in which various correction patterns are placed above and below a basic portion of a character to smoothly adjust the width of a horizontal line of the character.
FIGS. 61A to 61C are diagrams illustrating an example in which the width of a horizontal line of a character is smoothly adjusted by adjusting the color element level of a sub-pixel adjacent above a basic portion of the character; It is.
FIG. 62A is a diagram showing the structure of a basic portion table 42g, and FIG. 62B is a diagram showing the structure of a basic portion table 3700 corresponding to the Chinese character “Fish”.
FIG. 63 is a diagram showing the structure of skeleton data 3800 representing the skeleton shape of the kanji character “Fish”.
FIG. 64 is a diagram illustrating an example in which skeleton data 3800 representing the skeleton shape of the kanji character “Fish” is displayed on a coordinate plane.
FIG. 65 (a) is a diagram showing a result of setting a color element level of a basic portion of a character corresponding to the kanji “fish” to level 7 and placing correction patterns on the left and right of the basic portion of the character; (B) is a diagram showing a result of setting a color element level of a part of a basic part of a character corresponding to a kanji character “fish” to level 5 or level 6 using the basic part table 3700.
FIG. 66 is a diagram showing the structure of a basic partial table 3900 corresponding to the Chinese character “tree”.
FIG. 67 (a) is a diagram showing a result of setting a color element level of a part of a basic part of a character corresponding to a kanji “tree” to level 5 or level 6 using the basic part table 3900; (B) is a diagram showing the result of placing correction patterns (4, 2, 1) or (5, 2, 1) on the left and right of the basic part of the character.
[Explanation of symbols]
1a-1e Character display device
10 Display device
12 pixels
14R, 14G, 14B sub-pixel
20 control unit
21 CPU
22 Main memory
30 input devices
40 Auxiliary storage device
41a-41e Character display program
42 data
42a Character outline information
42b Color element level information
42c luminance table
42d skeleton data
42e correction table
42f typeface attribute table
42g basic partial table

Claims (30)

A display device having a plurality of pixels;
A control unit for controlling the display device,
Each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a predetermined direction, and each of the plurality of sub-pixels is assigned a corresponding one of a plurality of color elements in advance,
The control unit displays characters on the display device by independently controlling the plurality of color elements corresponding to the plurality of sub-pixels,
The strength of each of the plurality of color elements is represented stepwise by a plurality of color element levels,
The control unit sets a color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of a character displayed on the display device to a predetermined color element level, and sets at least one color element level corresponding to the basic part of the character. A character display device, wherein a color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to one specific sub-pixel is set to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level . The character display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit defines a basic portion of the character displayed on the display device based on a scaled outline of the character. The character display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit defines a basic part of the character displayed on the display device based on skeleton data representing a skeleton shape of the character. The control unit scales the skeleton data according to a size of the character displayed on the display device, and adjusts a line width of the character after defining a basic part of the character based on the scaled skeleton data. The character display device according to claim 3, which performs the following. The control unit is configured to, based on at least one correction pattern, change a color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character, other than the predetermined color element level. The character display device according to claim 3 , wherein the character display device is set to a color element level. The character display device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit adjusts a line width of the character displayed on the display device by selectively using one of the at least one correction pattern. . The character display device according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one correction pattern is prepared in advance according to a size of the character displayed on the display device. The character display device according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one correction pattern is prepared in advance so as to correspond to the skeleton data. The character display device according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one correction pattern is prepared for each kanji radical part. The character display device according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one correction pattern is prepared in advance according to the number of strokes of the skeleton data. The character display device according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one correction pattern is prepared in advance in accordance with a gradient of a stroke of the skeleton data. The character display device according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one correction pattern is prepared in advance according to a distance between a certain part of the basic part of the character and another part. If the arrangement of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character forms a specific pattern, the control unit controls the character to separate the basic part of the character into at least two parts. The character display device according to claim 5 , wherein the color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of (i) is corrected. The skeleton data includes stroke information related to a stroke,
The character display device according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit sets a color element level of the at least one sub-pixel to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level according to the shape of the stroke. The skeleton data includes stroke information related to a stroke,
The control unit sets a color element level of the at least one sub-pixel to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level based on a typeface attribute table that defines a typeface characteristic of the character in relation to the stroke information. The character display device according to claim 3 , wherein the character display device is set to: A plurality of typeface attribute tables that define characteristics of the typeface of the character in relation to the stroke information are provided,
The control unit sets a color element level of the at least one sub-pixel to the predetermined color based on one type attribute table selectively used according to the size of the character among the plurality of type attribute tables. 16. The character display device according to claim 15 , wherein a color element level other than the element level is set. The control unit sets a color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character in the predetermined direction to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level. The character display device according to claim 1 , which is set. The control unit sets the color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of the character in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction to the predetermined color element level. The character display device according to claim 1 , wherein the character element level is set to a color element level other than. The character display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit adjusts a line width of the character displayed on the display device by controlling a number of sub-pixels corresponding to a basic part of the character. The control unit adjusts a line width of the character displayed on the display device by controlling a color element level of a sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of the character. The character display device according to claim 1 . The control unit expresses a character typeface of the character displayed on the display device by controlling a color element level of a subpixel adjacent to at least one specific subpixel corresponding to a basic part of the character. The character display device according to claim 1 , wherein The control unit sets a color element level of some of the at least one specific subpixel corresponding to a basic part of a character displayed on the display device to a color element level other than the maximum color element level. The character display device according to claim 1 , wherein 23. The character display device according to claim 22 , wherein the control unit sets a color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of the character based on a basic part table. The control unit is configured to set predetermined color element level information of at least one subpixel located near at least one specific subpixel corresponding to a basic part of a character displayed on the display device. The character display device according to claim 1 , wherein a color element level of at least one sub-pixel arranged near the at least one specific sub-pixel is set based on the at least one sub-pixel. The character display device according to claim 1, wherein a color of the character displayed on the display device is achromatic. 2. The character display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit variably adjusts an interval between the characters by controlling a position of the character displayed on the display device in units of sub-pixels. 3. The character display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device. The character display device according to claim 27 , wherein the liquid crystal display device is a stripe type liquid crystal display device. A character display method for displaying characters on a display device,
The display device has a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a predetermined direction, and each of the plurality of sub-pixels corresponds to one of a plurality of color elements. One color element is assigned in advance,
The character display method includes:
Displaying a character on the display device by independently controlling the plurality of color elements corresponding to the plurality of sub-pixels ,
The strength of each of the plurality of color elements is represented stepwise by a plurality of color element levels,
Displaying the character on the display device,
Setting a color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of a character displayed on the display device to a predetermined color element level;
Setting a color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level;
A character display method including: A recording medium readable by an information display device,
The information display device includes a display device and a control unit that controls the display device, wherein the display device has a plurality of pixels, and each of the plurality of pixels is arranged in a predetermined direction. Wherein each of the plurality of sub-pixels is assigned a corresponding one of a plurality of color elements in advance,
The recording medium,
By controlling the plurality of color elements corresponding to the plurality of sub-pixels independently and encompassing processing step of displaying a character on the display device to record a program to be executed by the control unit ,
The strength of each of the plurality of color elements is represented stepwise by a plurality of color element levels,
Displaying the character on the display device,
Setting a color element level of at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to a basic part of a character displayed on the display device to a predetermined color element level;
Setting a color element level of at least one sub-pixel adjacent to at least one specific sub-pixel corresponding to the basic part of the character to a color element level other than the predetermined color element level;
A recording medium comprising:

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