JPH02306298A - Information processor with character pattern generating function by vector font - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To miniaturize a memory by calculating a coordinates value after a variable power by a coefficient and attribute information added to vector information for each character and generating the outline of the character based on the coordinates value calculated at the time of generating an outline font character. CONSTITUTION:A font data take-out part 25 having a line width and direction attribute is composed of a memory area, in which outline font data as to one kind of face and the coefficient and attribute information related to the line width and direction to form the character are stored, and its reading means. A line width change processing part 26 has a function to calculate the coordinates value after the line width change by the coefficient and attribute information stored in the font data take-out part 25 having the line width and direction attribute, and the outline of the character is formed by a character frame generating part 24 based on the coordinates value calculated at the time of generating the outline font character. In such a way, a memory file capacity can be miniaturized.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention relates to improvements in word processors, office computers, DPS (data processing systems), workstations, electronic publishing systems, and other various information processing devices. In particular, when forming the outline pattern of each character using a vector font, one type of typeface (
A vector that makes it possible to save file capacity by creating various character patterns with different line widths, such as bold and thin characters, using outline font data (Mincho, Gothic, italic, etc.) The present invention relates to an information processing device having a function of generating character patterns using fonts.

Traditionally, in word processors, electronic publishing systems, and other various information processing systems, vector font information (outline font data) that forms the outline of characters has been used.
is stored, and a character pattern generation function for outputting the outline of a character based on this vector font information, that is, a function for generating so-called outline font characters, is added.

Information on such a vector font is a group of information on the coordinate positions of each point connecting the outline of one character with a straight line. That is, it is an information group of one or more sets of coordinate positions, which is composed of closed loop coordinate information that connects each point from a starting point and always ends at the starting point.

For example, the alphabetic characters rEJ and r) (J are composed of one set of position information groups (see FIG. 2 below).

On the other hand, for example, the alphabetic characters "A" and "D" are composed of two sets of position information.

In addition, in the case of kanji, the shapes are generally complex, so
Requires multiple sets of location information.

Conventional information processing devices equipped with the function of generating character patterns using vector fonts are capable of scaling processing such as enlargement and reduction, and can generate character patterns of various sizes based on vector font information of a single typeface. can be generated.

However, with this type of conventional information processing device, it has not been possible to generate various character patterns with different line widths for the same typeface.

For example, in the case of a Mincho font, it is not possible to generate character patterns with different a widths, such as bold characters and thin characters, based on outline font data for medium characters.

As a result, Tai Mincho font, Chu Mincho font, at Mincho font, etc.
Even if the font is the same, separate outline font data is required for each line width.

The same goes for Gothic fonts, thick Gothic fonts.

Outline font data for each line width for medium Gothic and thin Gothic fonts is required.

Therefore, in this type of conventional information processing apparatus, the file capacity for storing vector fonts becomes large, and the cost also increases. There was this inconvenience.

Here, an information processing apparatus equipped with a character pattern generation function using a conventional vector font, that is, a vector font storage means for storing vector information consisting of the coordinates of each connection point, and a character pattern generation function using the vector information of the vector font storage means. A word processor will be described as an example of an information processing apparatus that includes a pattern output means for forming an outline and a character pattern generation function using a vector font.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of essential parts of an information processing system having a conventional vector font pattern scaling processing function. In the drawing, l is an input device such as a keyboard, 2 is a position input device (pointing device), 3 is an image scanner, 4 is a CRT display unit, 5 is a printer, 6 is an FDD (floppy disk driver) unit, 7 is HDD (hard disk driver)
unit, 8 is the system main unit, 9 is the CPU, 10 is R
OM, 11 is RAM, 12 is keyboard controller,
13 is a pointing device controller, 14 is a scanner controller, 15 is a CRT controller, 1
6 is the printer controller 1 to roller, 17 is the FDD controller, 18 is the HDD controller, 19 is the communication control unit, 2
o indicates a system bus.

The functions of each part of the information processing system shown in FIG. 5 are outlined as follows.

The input device 1 includes a keyboard and the like, and is an input means for inputting system startup and other commands, necessary character information, and the like. Information input from this input device 1 is sent to the computer side via the keyboard controller 12 and system bus 20. Commands for generating character patterns using vector fonts, operations for setting coefficient values, etc., which will be described later, are input through the input device 1.

The position input device 2 is a pointer cursor input means (pointing device) that indicates a position on the display screen, and the input information is also sent to the computer side via the pointing device/controller 13 and the system bus 20. Ru.

The image scanner 3 is an image input means, and the read image information is similarly sent to the computer side via the scanner controller 14.

The CRT display unit 4 is a display means that visually displays character/numeric information and image information of documents being created and documents that have been created, as well as guidance necessary for operation, etc., in a dot pattern on its screen.

A CRT controller 15 is connected to the CRT display unit 4, and controls the display of data and guidance developed in a dot pattern on the screen.

The printer 5 is a dot image printing device such as a thermal transfer type printing device having an electrically heated head, a so-called thermal dot printer, an inkjet printer, a plunger magnet type printer, etc., and prints a document using data created by the printer 5. Print documents, documents, images, etc. using dot patterns.

This printer 5 is given data such as created characters and numbers, image information, format information, and other control information from the computer side via the system bus 20 and printer controller 16, and creates a hard copy.

The floppy disk of the FDD unit 6 and the hard disk of the HDD unit 7 are external storage devices,
The read information is sent to the computer side via the FDD controller 17, HDD controller 18, and system bus 20.

Note that as the external storage device, a magnetic disk, magnetic tape, or other large-capacity storage device can also be used.

The communication control unit 19 controls information exchanged with other communication terminal devices.

The CPU 9, ROM 10, and RAM II constitute a system control section of the word processor.

That is, the ROM10 stores programs that control the system, character pattern data, etc.
Further, RAMII is a system memory that stores necessary data.

The CPU 9 controls the entire system shown in FIG.

For example, it receives key information from the input device 1 and performs corresponding processing operations and outputs control commands.

Also, based on key human power information, data can be output to the CRT display 4 or printer 5, or the image scanner 3 can output data to the CRT display 4 or printer 5.
The image data is input from the floppy disk of FDD unit 6 and the hard disk of HDD unit 7.
access the disk.

It manages various controls such as sending and receiving data via the communication control unit 19.

An information processing system such as a word processor or a personal computer having a function of generating character patterns using vector fonts has a configuration as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main part of a character pattern generation section of an information processing apparatus equipped with a character pattern generation function using a conventional vector font.

In the drawing, 21 is a font data extraction section, 22 is a scaling/transformation processing section, 23 is an original coordinate generation section, and 24 is a character frame generation section.

The functions of each part of the block shown in FIG. 6 are as follows.

The font data retrieval unit 21 is composed of a memory area in which various types of outline font data required by the system are stored, and a means for reading the data.

The scaling/transformation processing unit 22 has a function of performing scaling/transformation processing on the read outline font data during enlargement/reduction.

The original coordinate generation unit 23 has a function of generating original coordinates for the font data output from the scaling/transformation processing unit 22.

The character frame generation unit 24 has a function of forming and outputting the outline of one character based on the original coordinates output from the original coordinate generation unit 23.

When forming a character outline pattern, pre-stored outline font data is read out from the font data extraction unit 21, subjected to scaling and transformation processing by the scaling/transformation processing unit 22, and then output to the original coordinate generation unit 23. do,
Generate original coordinates.

Based on the original coordinates obtained by the original coordinate generation section 23, the one-character frame generation section 24 generates and outputs a pattern forming the outline of a character by vector rask conversion.

The following FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the peripheral circuit of the font data extracting section 210 shown in FIG. 6. In the drawing, 31 is a thick Gothic/outline font data storage area, 32 is a medium Gothic/outline font data storage area, 33 is a thin Gothic/outline font data storage area, 34 is a selector, and 35 is an outline font development section. show.

This FIG. 7 shows the case of Gothic outline font data, and each data storage area 3
1, 32, and 33, respectively.

Font data with different line widths for medium and thin characters is stored.

In addition, these three data storage areas 31, 32, 33
A selector 34 is also provided for selecting.

Although not particularly shown, font data for each line width is similarly stored for Mincho fonts, italic fonts, and the like.

In this way, information processing apparatuses equipped with character pattern generation functions using conventional vector fonts.

Even if the typefaces are of the same type, such as Gothic or Mincho,
Vector font data corresponding to each line width (thickness) forming one stroke of a character, such as bold, medium, and thin characters, is required.

Therefore, as already mentioned, in conventional information processing devices, the amount of vector font data inevitably increases, resulting in a large file capacity and an unavoidable increase in system costs. .

Information processing IT equipped with a character pattern generation function using the vector font of this invention, which is about to be developed in the future, will be able to solve the problems that occur with conventional information processing devices. Since outline font data (information on coordinates of connecting points forming the outline of a character) is required for each line width (thickness), the file size becomes large. This problem has been solved by making it possible to generate various character patterns with different line widths, such as bold, medium, and thin characters, using vector font information of the same typeface, thereby making it possible to reduce the memory file capacity. .

The purpose is to provide a low-cost information processing device.

In this invention for the purpose of In an information processing device equipped with a character pattern generating function using a vector font, coefficients and attribute information regarding line width and direction forming a character are added to vector information for each character and stored in the vector font storage means. In addition, the method further includes a coordinate calculation means for calculating coordinate values after scaling based on the added coefficients and attribute information, and when generating an outline font character, the character is calculated based on the coordinate values calculated by the coordinate calculation means. I'm trying to form an outline.

Second, it includes a coefficient setting means for arbitrarily changing coefficients related to the line width and direction forming a character, separately from the attribute information for each character,
``The outline of the character is formed by the coefficient changed by the coefficient setting means.

Next, an information processing device having a function of generating character patterns using vector fonts according to the present invention will be described.

Examples thereof will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the information processing apparatus equipped with the function of generating character patterns using vector fonts according to the present invention, the outlines of various characters having different line widths can be formed using vector font data of the same typeface.

First, we will discuss the contents of these dictionary sections.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the relationship between the coordinate information of the basic character pattern rJ and the character pattern of the coordinates calculated by the line width changing process in an information processing device equipped with a character pattern generation function using a vector font according to the present invention. In the diagram shown,
In (1), the basic character pa indicates the value after the original position has been moved.

As shown in FIG. 2 (1), the fish coordinate values a11 a29 a31 a4+ for forming the outline of the alphabet "H"
... (coordinate position information group) is set and stored in advance as outline font data.

Then, as shown in Figure 2 (2), when changing the line width to twice the line width, for example, the fish coordinate value is a'jl a4 is a fixed point, and the fish coordinate value a□l a2 is the left coordinate position a1' + 82'
, respectively.

Furthermore, the fish coordinate value a is moved to the upper coordinate position a,', and the fish coordinate value aG is moved to the lower coordinate position aG'.

Furthermore, the fish coordinate values a7 to a1□ are also moved to the corresponding coordinate positions a77 to a42', respectively.

By performing such processing, it is possible to generate a character pattern whose line width is doubled (thick line) based on the fish coordinate values given by the outline font data.

Therefore, next, a calculation method for performing the above processing will be explained.

In the case of this thick line, the relationship between the fish coordinate value a1 and the post-movement coordinate position a1' is the displacement amount e1(x'), and the moving direction is to the left. Similarly, the fish coordinate value a2 is also the displacement amount Q
2 (X), and the moving direction is to the left.

In addition, the displacement amount n, Q4 of the fish coordinate values a3t a4 is
It is "0" and does not move.

The relationship between the fish coordinate value a and the coordinate position a,' after movement is the amount of displacement Qs (y), and the movement direction is upward.

On the other hand, the fish coordinate value aG is the displacement amount L(y), and the moving direction is downward.

Further, the relationship between the fish coordinate value a and the coordinate position a,' after the movement is such that the moving direction is an upward displacement amount Q7(y), and the moving direction is a leftward displacement amount Ω7(X).

The relationship between the fish coordinate value a and the coordinate position a8' after movement is as follows:
The moving direction is a downward displacement amount Qa(y), and the moving direction is a leftward displacement amount Qa(x).

In this way, in the case of the thick line, for all the fish coordinate values a shown in FIG. 2 (1), the new coordinate position a after movement is
If we calculate 4' one after another and perform coordinate transformation, we get Figure 2 (
As shown in 2), a pattern of the same typeface with a thicker character frame is generated.

The above is a case where bold text is specified, but the same is true when specifying thin text, and the new coordinate positions a, / after movement are calculated one after another based on the preset displacement amount for the fish coordinate value aj. By performing coordinate transformation, it is possible to generate a pattern of the same font with narrowed character frames.

For this purpose, the outline font data for each character includes the fish coordinate values (information group of a series of coordinate positions) for generating the character pattern of that typeface, and the above displacement amount (Ω4).
What is necessary is to add additional data including the direction of movement and the direction of movement.

Furthermore, in order to perform magnification processing using an arbitrary magnification, a new coefficient value k may be set and the coefficient value may be changed arbitrarily.

In FIG. 2, if the displacement amount of each fish coordinate value a is Q4 and the coefficient value is k, then the movement amount m4 is m4:1cxa4.

By making this newly set coefficient value k arbitrarily changeable, each movement amount of the fish coordinate value a< is changed to a, ±(k
-Q, ).

For example, the amount of movement m of the fish coordinate value a in Figure 2 (1) is:
kxQl, and a1±(k-Q engineering) becomes a new coordinate, so the range of displacement becomes wider.

Since this coefficient value can be set independently of the above attribute data, a coefficient setting means is provided to enable the coefficient value k to be changed arbitrarily.

The character pattern generation function using the vector font of the present invention described above is realized by the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 below.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the configuration of a main part of a character pattern generation section of an information processing apparatus having a character pattern generation function using a vector font according to the present invention. The symbols in the drawings are the same as in Fig. 6,
Further, 25 indicates a font data extraction section with line width/direction attributes, and 26 indicates a line width change processing section.

The font data extraction unit 25 with line width and direction attributes includes:
Outline font data for one type of font,
and a memory area in which coefficients and attribute information regarding line widths and directions forming characters are stored, and reading means therefor.

When this coefficient (k) is to be changed (claim 2), the coefficients stored in the font data retrieval unit 25 are changed by key operations on the input device.

The a-width change processing unit 26 has a function of calculating coordinate values after changing the line width based on coefficients and attribute information.

The other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG. 6 above.

The following FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a peripheral circuit of the font data extracting section 25 with line width and direction attributes shown in FIG. In the drawing, numeral 35 indicates an outline font development section similar to that in FIG. 7, and numeral 36 indicates a Gothic font/outline font data storage area.

Comparing the block diagram in Figure 3 with the previous Figure 7, we get
In FIG. 3 showing the character pattern generation section of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the outline font data storage area 36
There is only one file, the file capacity is small, and the selector 34 is not required.

Next, with reference to a flowchart, the operation of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and having a function of generating a character pattern using a vector font according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when generating characters from outline font data in an information processing apparatus having a character pattern generating function using a vector font according to the present invention. In the drawings, #1 to #11 indicate steps.

In step #1, initial settings are performed. In this case, if you want to change the coefficient value k to an arbitrary value, use the input device 1 shown in FIG.
Enter the coefficient value setting mode and perform key operations.

In step #2, font data of the corresponding character is read from the outline font data storage area 36 shown in FIG.

In the next step #3, the imported font data is subjected to scaling and transformation processing.

In step #4, the fish coordinate values a, all, a31, . . ., explained in relation to FIG. 2 (1), are calculated.

Proceeding to step #5, it is determined whether or not a change in line width has been instructed.

If no changes are indicated, step #
The process advances to Step 10, and it is determined whether all the font data has been taken in. If it has not been taken in yet, the process returns to step #2 and repeats the same process.

The above steps #1 to #5 and step #10 are the same as the conventional process except for the change to the coefficient value (step #1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step #5 whether or not there is an instruction to change the a width, if a line width change is instructed, then in the next step #6, it is determined whether the process is thicker or thinner.

If it is a thickening process, the process proceeds to step #7, and the attribute data added to the outline font data, that is, the displacement amount (Q<) including the movement direction for thickening the line width and the coefficient value k are fetched.

If it is thinning processing, the process proceeds to step #8, and the attribute data added to the outline font data, that is, the displacement fit (including the movement direction for thinning the line width)
Qt) and the coefficient value k.

In step #9, new coordinate value at' + a2' 1
...... is calculated.

The above processing of steps #5 to #9 is executed by the line width change processing section 26 shown in FIG. 1.

In step #10, it is determined whether all the font data has been imported, and steps #2 to
When the process #9 is performed and all the font data has been captured, the process proceeds to the next step #11 to convert the vector rask.

Through the above steps #1 to #11, for example,
Character patterns with different line widths, such as thick Gothic and thin Gothic, are generated using one type of outline font data for medium Gothic.

In this case, in step #1, by setting the coefficient value k to an arbitrary value, character patterns of the same font and various line widths can be generated.

As described above, in the information processing device equipped with the character pattern generation function using the vector font of the present invention, the coefficients and attribute information regarding the line width and direction forming the character are added to the vector information for each character. By storing the font in the font storage means, performing calculations using the attribute information when generating outline font characters, and generating a pattern of the outline of the character based on the calculated coordinate values,
Outline font characters corresponding to various line widths are generated.

According to the information processing device equipped with a character pattern generation function using vector fonts of this invention, by adding attribute data of displacement amount and movement direction to one outline font data, This avoids the inconvenience of requiring multiple types of outline font data for each line width, such as bold, medium, and thin characters, for the same typeface, and only one type of outline font data for the same typeface. All you need to do is prepare the
The circuit configuration is also simplified, and at the same time, cost reduction is achieved.

Moreover, in the second embodiment (claim 2),
Since the coefficient value can be set arbitrarily, the degree of freedom is further increased, and it is possible to set characters with various line widths for the same typeface, which has the excellent effect of further improving functionality. be given

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the main structure of a character pattern generation section of an information processing apparatus equipped with a character pattern generation function using the Baku1-rufont of the present invention. A diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the coordinate information of the basic character pattern "H" and the character pattern of the coordinates calculated by the line width changing process for an information processing device equipped with a character pattern generation function using the vector font of the invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a peripheral circuit of the font data extraction unit 25 with line width and direction attributes shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when generating characters from outline font data in an information processing apparatus equipped with a function of generating character patterns using vector fonts according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of an information processing system having a scaling processing function. FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the main part configuration of the font data retrieval unit 21 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a peripheral circuit of the . In the drawing, 21 is a font data extraction unit, 22 is a scaling/transformation processing unit, 23 is an original coordinate generation unit, 24 is a character frame generation unit, 25 is a font data extraction unit with line width/direction attributes, and 26 is a line width Change processing section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A vector font, comprising a vector font storage means for storing vector information consisting of the coordinates of each connection point, and a pattern output means for forming the outline of a character using the vector information of the vector font storage means. In the information processing device equipped with a character pattern generation function, the vector information for each character is added with coefficients and attribute information regarding the line width and direction forming the character, and is stored in the vector font storage means; A coordinate calculation means is provided for calculating coordinate values after scaling based on the added coefficients and attribute information, and when an outline font character is generated, the outline of the character is calculated based on the coordinate values calculated by the coordinate calculation means. An information processing device characterized in that: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a coefficient setting means for arbitrarily changing coefficients related to the line width and direction forming a character, separately from attribute information for each character, the coefficient setting means comprising: An information processing device characterized in that an outline of a character is formed using coefficients that have been changed accordingly.