JP2005246701A - Outline image forming apparatus, method and program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an outline image forming apparatus capable of forming an outline image of arbitrary height and width with good appearance by smoothing the seam between the leading line and the ruled line of preceding and following character images, and to provide outline image forming method and program and a storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: In the outline image forming method for forming an outline image by connecting between the upper and lower leading lines of a preceding character image and the upper and lower leading lines of a following character image using upper and lower rules lines, outline regulation for eliminating the level difference is carried out for a regulation object seam, i.e. at least one of the seam of upper leading line and ruled line of the preceding character image, the seam of lower leading line and ruled line of the preceding character image, the seam of upper leading line and ruled line of the following character image, and the seam of lower leading line and ruled line of the following character image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an outer frame image creating apparatus, an outer frame image creating method, a program, and a storage medium that create an outer frame image composed of a front character image, a rear character image, and upper and lower ruled lines connecting them.

For example, when creating a seal image or the like, there is a method of creating an outer frame image by arranging a pair of front and rear bracket-like images as character images (front character image and rear character image) and connecting them with ruled lines. It is known (see, for example, FIG. 35 and paragraphs [0145] to [0147] of Patent Document 1).
JP-A-9-234848

  As a front character image and a rear character image for creating this type of outer frame image, there are those provided with so-called decorative patterns (see FIGS. 9 to 10), and an outer frame image using these is created. In this case, even if the size in the longitudinal direction is adjusted by the length of the ruled line, the size in the width direction is the size in the height direction of the character image that becomes the width of the outer frame, specifically for ruled line connection. Size between upper edges of upper leader lines F60U to F80U (or R60U to R80U) and lower edges of lower leader lines F60D to F80D (or R60D to R80D) (see, for example, n [dot] in FIG. 11: Therefore, it is necessary to prepare and arrange character images of various heights.

  In such a case, preparing a character image as bitmap font data at various heights requires enormous storage capacity, and is created by enlarging / reducing based on the bitmap font. Then, the curved portion or the like is difficult to be formed smoothly, and it is difficult to create it with a good appearance.

  In this regard, when based on outline fonts, a character image with a relatively free height can be created by image development, but the enlargement ratio for image expansion is not only “height” but also “line width”. Therefore, if the height is set to an arbitrary height, the line width is determined and is arbitrarily lost, and it is difficult to make the leader line have an arbitrary line width. Also, depending on the enlargement ratio, the line width of the upper leader line F60U and the like of the lower leader line F60D, which are also connected to the ruled line, differ from dot to line due to calculation rounding error or the like (1 due to rounding error). May have an unbalanced shape (such as different dots), and the line width of the expanded leader line does not match the width of the specified ruled line, and the joint with the ruled line does not match (becomes a step) There was a problem.

  The present invention provides an outer frame image creating apparatus and outer frame image that can smoothly create an outer frame image having an arbitrary height and an arbitrary line width by smoothing a joint between a leader line and a ruled line of the front and rear character images. An object is to provide a creation method, a program, and a storage medium.

  The outer frame image creating apparatus according to the present invention provides a space between the upper and lower leader lines of the front character image serving as the front edge of the outer frame and the upper and lower leader lines of the rear character image serving as the rear edge of the outer frame. An outer frame image creation device that creates an outer frame image by connecting the upper ruled line and the lower ruled line, and the previous character image in which the previous character image is arranged on the outer frame image area in which the outer frame image is arranged Arrangement means, rear character image arrangement means for arranging the rear character image on the outer frame image area, and the upper leader line of the previous character image and the upper leader line of the rear character image are connected to each other. Upper ruled line arranging means for arranging an upper ruled line, lower ruled line arranging means for arranging the lower ruled line connecting the lower leader line of the previous character image and the lower leader line of the subsequent character image, and the front character A joint between the upper leader line of the image and the upper ruled line, a joint between the lower leader line of the previous character image and the lower ruled line, a joint between the upper leader line of the subsequent character image and the upper ruled line, and While maintaining at least the center width of the upper ruled line and the lower ruled line as an adjustment target joint of at least one joint of the lower leader line of the rear character image and the lower ruled line, It is characterized by further comprising contour adjusting means for performing contour adjustment for eliminating a step between the contour of the adjustment leader line and the adjustment ruled line constituting the adjustment target joint.

  Also, the outer frame image creation method of the present invention includes the upper and lower leader lines of the front character image serving as the front edge of the outer frame and the upper and lower leader lines of the rear character image serving as the rear edge of the outer frame. An outer frame image creation method for creating an outer frame image by connecting an upper ruled line and a lower ruled line between the upper leader line and the upper ruled line of the previous character image, and the previous character image At least a joint between the lower leader line and the lower ruled line, a joint between the upper leader line of the rear character image and the upper ruled line, and a joint between the lower leader line of the rear character image and the lower ruled line As a joint to be adjusted, a step is formed between the outline of the adjustment leader line and the adjustment ruled line constituting the adjustment target joint while maintaining at least the center width of the upper ruled line and the lower ruled line. Contour adjustment to eliminate And wherein the Ukoto.

  In the outer frame image creating apparatus and the outer frame image creating method, the upper and lower leader lines of the front character image serving as the front end portion of the outer frame and the upper and lower leader lines of the rear character image serving as the rear end portion of the outer frame. The outer frame image is created by connecting the upper and lower ruled lines with the upper ruled line and the lower ruled line, but at least one joint between the leader line and the ruled line of the preceding and following character images is used as the adjustment target joint. The contour of the adjustment leader line and the adjustment ruled line that make up the adjustment target seam is adjusted so that there is no level difference while maintaining the line width of at least the center of the ruled line. Can be. That is, when arranging the character images before and after, regardless of the line width, when arranging the ruled lines, ignore the smoothness of the joints somewhat, for example, on the outer edge side (outer frame side). The outer frame image before adjustment can be created once by aligning (outside) only (aligned), etc., and then the smoothness of the joint can be adjusted. In addition, an outer frame image having an arbitrary line width can be created with good appearance.

  In the outer frame image creation device described above, the contour adjustment unit may adjust the outer contour and inner contour of the adjustment leader line and the adjustment ruled line constituting the adjustment target joint steplessly without adjustment. Image adjustment region setting means for setting an image adjustment region including the adjustment target joint, the adjustment leader line end, and the adjustment ruled line end with respect to the outer frame image, and the adjustment leader line of the image adjustment region A leader-side upper intersection point and a leader-line lower intersection point between the side edge and the outer and inner contours of the adjustment leader line, and an outer contour of the adjustment ruler line and the edge of the adjustment ruler line in the image adjustment area; Intersection defining means for obtaining a ruled line side upper intersection and a ruled line side lower intersection with the inner contour, and an upper contour that connects the leader line side upper intersection and the ruled line side upper intersection without a step, and the leader line lower intersection The ruled line side lower intersection and The connection image having a lower profile which connects without step, it is preferred to have a connection image placement means for placing in place of the image of the image adjustment area of the unadjusted outer frame images.

  In this outer frame image creation device, an image adjustment area including an adjustment target joint is set for the outer frame image before adjustment, and the adjustment leader side end of the image adjustment area and the upper leader line before adjustment or Obtain the leader-side upper intersection and the leader-side lower intersection with the outer and inner contours of the lower leader (adjustment leader), and adjust the adjustment ruler-side edge and upper ruled line or lower ruled line (adjusted ruled line) of the image adjustment area. A ruled line side upper intersection point and a ruled line side lower intersection point with the outer contour and the inner contour are obtained, and the connection image has an upper contour that connects the leader line side upper intersection point and the ruled line side upper intersection point without any step, and a leader line side lower intersection point. Since the connection image having the lower contour connecting the lower intersection of the ruled line side without any step is arranged instead of the image in the image adjustment area of the outer frame image before adjustment, the contour of the adjustment target joint can be adjusted. This line is straight or smooth with no step The Bukoto, the contour of the adjusting lead wire constituting the adjusted joint and adjust borders can no step.

  Further, in each of the outer frame image creation devices described above, the size between the upper edge of the upper ruled line and the lower edge of the lower ruled line, which is the width of the outer frame image, is set to the size of the front character image and the rear character image. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises size determining means that can determine the height and the line width of the lower ruled line as the line width of the outer frame, and determine at least one of the height and the line width in dot units.

  In this outer frame image creation device, the height and line width can be directly specified in dot units, so that an outer frame image of a desired size (height, line width) can be created with good appearance and easily.

  Further, in each of the outer frame image creation devices described above, the contour adjustment unit is configured to perform contour adjustment for the contour adjustment that can be arranged in an image adjustment region including the adjustment target joint in the outer frame image before adjustment. It is preferable to include a contour adjustment image storage unit that stores the image and a logical operation unit that performs a pixel-based logical operation using the contour adjustment image in the image adjustment region on the outer frame image before adjustment.

In this outer frame image creation device, an image area including an adjustment target joint of the outer frame images before adjustment is set as an adjustment image area, and a contour adjustment image for contour adjustment that can be arranged in the adjustment image area is stored. In addition, a logical operation corresponding to a pixel using the contour adjustment image in the adjustment image region is performed on the outer frame image before adjustment. For this reason, assuming the shape of the joint to be adjusted, that is, various shapes that can occur as a form without smoothness, various images of shapes that can be adjusted are prepared (stored) as contour adjustment images, By applying an appropriate logical operation using this to the outer frame image, it is possible to adjust the contours of the adjustment leader lines and the adjustment ruled lines constituting the adjustment target joint without any step. In addition, when preparing the front and rear character images, etc. with outline font data, it is desirable to prepare the contour adjustment image as outline font data. It can be expanded and used.

  In the outer frame image creating apparatus using the contour adjustment image, the contour adjustment image storage unit may be an upper ruled line that forms the adjustment target joint in the image adjustment region as one type of the contour adjustment image. A ruled line side having a length matching the ruled line width of the lower ruled line, and a leader line side having a length matching the leader line width of the upper leader line or the lower leader line forming the adjustment target joint A logical sum image in which a single closed curve obtained by connecting both ends of the ruled line side and the leader line side is used as an outline and the inside of the outline along the outline is filled with effective pixels of logic “1” is stored. Logical OR image storage means, wherein the logical operation means adjusts the ruled line side of the logical OR image to the ruled line width, and matches the leader line side to the leader line width, and performs a corresponding logical OR operation. The logical sum is added to the outline image by It is preferred to have a logical OR operation means for adding the image.

  In this outer frame image creation device, a logical sum image is used as the contour adjustment image. This logical sum image has a ruled line side having a length matching the ruled line width and a leader line side having a length matching the leader line width, and a single closed curve in which both ends thereof are connected to each other. A contour image is a so-called solid image in which the inside of the contour along the contour line is painted with effective pixels of logical “1” (for example, black). In this case, if a logical sum operation is performed on the outer frame image by aligning the ruled line side with the ruled line width and the leader line side with the leader line width, the logical sum image is superimposed on (added to) the outer frame image. It will be. For this reason, the outlines of the ruled lines and the leader lines are smoothly connected so as to cover the adjustment target joint. That is, the adjustment target joint can be made smooth and attractive.

  In each of the above-described outer frame image creation devices that use the contour adjustment image, the contour adjustment image storage means has a smooth outer edge corresponding to the outside of the outer frame image of the adjustment target joint in the image adjustment region. And a length corresponding to the distance between the inner edge sides of the upper ruled line and the lower ruled line as a kind of the contour adjustment image when the adjustment target joint is conspicuous at the inner edge corresponding to the inner side of the outer frame image A ruled line side, and a leader line side having a length matching the distance between the inner edge sides of the upper and lower leader lines, the ruled line side and the leader line side And a logical product image storage means for storing a logical product image in which the inside including the contour line is filled with invalid pixels of logic “0”. The computing means is the logical product image. The ruled line side is aligned between the inner edge sides of the upper ruled line and the lower ruled line, the leader line side edge is aligned between the inner edge sides of the upper leader line and the lower leader line, and corresponding AND operation is performed. It is preferable that a logical product calculating means for deleting the convex portion on the inner edge side from the outer shape image is provided.

  In this outer frame image creation device, a logical product image is used as the contour adjustment image. This logical product image is suitable for the case where only the outer edge side (outer side of the outer frame) is matched (aligned). In other words, the upper edge of the upper leader line, which is the outer edge of the outer frame image, is connected so that the upper edge of the upper ruled line matches, and the lower edge of the lower leader line, which is the outer edge, matches the lower edge of the lower ruled line. In this case, a logical product image is prepared as a kind of contour adjustment image when the adjustment target joint is conspicuous at the inner edge corresponding to the inner side of the outer frame image. Remember). This logical product image shows the distance between the ruled line side of the length that matches the distance between the inner edges of the upper and lower ruled lines inside the outer frame, and the distance between the inner edges of the upper and lower leader lines. A single closed curve having a leader line side having a matching length and connecting both ends of the ruled line side and the leader line side is defined as a contour line, and the inside including the contour line is all logical “0”. This is a so-called blank image filled with invalid pixels. That is, if the ruled line side is aligned with the inner edge of the ruled line, the leader line side is aligned between the inner edges of the leader line, and logical product operation is performed on the outer frame image, the logical product image of the outer frame image and The overlapping part will be deleted. For this reason, if a logical product image having a smooth contour is prepared as a logical product image, the contour of the outer frame image can be cut along the contour to smoothly connect the contours of the ruled line and the leader line. You can adjust the frame image nicely.

  Further, in each of the above-described outer frame image creation devices using the contour adjustment image, the upper ruled line arrangement unit includes an upper edge of the upper leader line and an upper ruled line that are outer edges of the outer frame image of the upper leader line. The lower ruled line arranging means connects the fixed line so that the lower edge of the lower leader line and the lower edge of the lower ruled line coincide with each other. Connected by a width, and the contour adjusting means has one point on the upper edge of the upper ruled line and one point on the lower edge of the lower ruled line when the upper leader line and the lower leader line have a direct connection point. A single closed curve composed of the first ruled line side and the upper leader line and the lower leader line to the connection point is defined as a first contour line, and the inside of the outer shape along the first contour line is logically “1”. The image adjustment area preparation means for filling the image with effective pixels and preparing it as the image adjustment area is further applied. The contour adjustment image storage means has a second ruled line side whose both ends are shorter than the first ruled line side by the predetermined line width as a kind of the contour adjusted image, and other parts are the first A single closed curve that is narrower than the outline along one contour line by the predetermined line width is used as a second contour line, and the inside of the outline along the second contour line is filled with effective pixels of logic “1”. And an exclusive OR image storage means for storing an OR image, wherein the logical operation means aligns the second ruled line side with the one ruled line side, and the others along the first contour line. It has an exclusive OR operation means for deleting a convex portion toward the inner edge side of the adjustment target joint from the outline image by performing an exclusive OR operation between corresponding pixels with a shift by a width. preferable.

  In this outer frame image creation device, an exclusive OR image is used as the contour adjustment image. Similar to the logical product image, this exclusive logical sum image is also suitable when only the outer edge side (outer side of the outer frame) is made coincident (to be flush). That is, an exclusive OR image is prepared (stored) as a kind of contour adjustment image when the outer edge is smooth and the joint to be adjusted is conspicuous at the inner edge. However, here, it applies when the upper and lower leader lines have a direct connection point, such as when the upper and lower leader lines are connected at the root, and before the logical operation. Prepare the adjustment image area. In this case, the adjustment image area includes a first ruled line side connecting one point of the upper edge of the upper ruled line and one point of the lower edge of the lower ruled line, and the upper leader line and the lower leader line to the connection point. A single closed curve is a first contour line, and the outline is filled with effective pixels (for example, black). Therefore, at this time, the line widths of the upper and lower leader lines of the enlarged character image do not become a problem. The exclusive OR image has a second ruled line side whose both ends are shorter than the first ruled line side by a fixed line width, and the other part is a fixed line width from the outer shape along the first contour line. This is an image in which a single closed curve having a narrow size is used as a second contour line, and the outline along the second contour line is filled with effective pixels. Here, when the second ruled line side is aligned with the first ruled line side, and the other is shifted by a certain width along the first contour line, the exclusive OR operation of the corresponding pixels is performed. Only the size difference between the size of the image area and the size of the exclusive OR image remains. That is, only a certain line width remains along the first contour line and is connected to the upper ruled line and the lower ruled line as it is (constant line width), so that the outline of the ruled line and the leader line can be smoothly connected, The outer frame image can be finely adjusted.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is characterized in that each means of any one of the above-described outer frame image creating apparatuses is allowed to function, or the above-described outer frame image creating method can be executed.

  This program is processed by a program-processable device so that the joint between the leader line and ruled line of the preceding and following character images is smoothed, and the outer frame image having an arbitrary height and an arbitrary line width is displayed. Can be created well.

  The storage medium of the present invention stores the above-described program so as to be readable by a program-processable device.

  In an apparatus capable of processing a program, the program stored in the storage medium is read and executed, thereby smoothing the joint between the leading line and the ruled line of the front and rear character images, and at an arbitrary height and an arbitrary line. It is possible to create a beautiful outer frame image.

  Hereinafter, a tape printer according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tape printing apparatus 1 has an outer shell formed by an apparatus case (apparatus body) 2, and a keyboard 3 including various input keys on the upper surface of the front of the apparatus case 2. Yes. An opening / closing lid 21 is attached to the left side of the rear upper surface, and a display 4 is disposed on the right side. Further, a slit-like tape discharge port 22 that communicates the pocket (tape mounting portion) 6 with the outside of the device is formed on the left side of the device case 2. A tape cutter 132 that simply cuts “tape” T is facing.

  In addition, as a basic configuration viewed from the control system, an operation unit 11 having a keyboard 3 and a display 4 to interface with a user, a print head (thermal head) 7 and a tape feeding unit 120 are provided. 6, a printing unit 12 that performs printing on the tape T of the tape cartridge C that is installed in the printer 6, a cutting unit 13 that performs cutting of the tape T after printing, a detection unit 14 that includes various sensors and performs various detections, A driving unit 15 that has a driver and drives each unit circuit, and a control unit 20 that controls each unit in the tape printer 1 are provided. For this reason, a circuit board (not shown) is housed in the apparatus case 2 in addition to the printing unit 12, the cutting unit 13, the detection unit 14, and the like. In addition to the power supply unit, each circuit of the drive unit 15 and the control unit 20 is mounted on the circuit board, and is connected to an AC adapter connection port or a battery (not shown) such as a nickel-cadmium battery that can be detached from the outside. .

  In the tape printer 1, the user installs the tape cartridge C in the pocket 6, and then checks the input / editing result on the display 4 and confirms desired characters and the like (characters such as letters, numbers, symbols, and simple figures) with the keyboard 3. ) Is input and printing is instructed, the tape T is fed from the tape cartridge C by the tape feeding unit 120, and desired printing is performed on the tape T by the print head 7. The printed portion is the tape discharge port 22 Sent out from time to time. When the desired printing is completed, the tape feeding unit 120 feeds the tape T to the position of the tape length including the margin, and then stops the feeding.

  The printing unit 12 is provided with a pocket 6 for mounting the tape cartridge C inside the opening / closing lid 21, and the tape cartridge C is attached to and detached from the pocket 6 with the opening / closing lid 21 opened. . The back surface of the tape cartridge C is provided with a plurality of small holes (not shown) so that the types of the tape T having different widths can be identified, and the pocket 6 has a micro that detects the presence or absence of these holes. A tape identification sensor 141 such as a switch is provided to detect the presence or absence of the tape T (exactly whether or not the tape cartridge C is mounted) and the type of the tape T (exactly the type of the tape cartridge C). It is like that.

  In the tape cartridge C, a tape T and an ink ribbon R having a certain width (about 4.5 mm to 48 mm) are accommodated in a cartridge case 51, and a through-opening 55 through which the print head 7 faces is formed. . The tape T has a configuration in which an adhesive surface is formed on the back surface and is covered with release paper. A platen roller (platen) 56 is accommodated in a portion where the tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap with each other in correspondence with the print head 7 built in the head unit 61. With the tape cartridge C mounted, the print head 7 hits the back surface of the ink ribbon R exposed from the through opening 55 and is driven to generate heat so that desired characters and the like are printed on the surface of the tape T.

  The tape feed unit 120 is disposed in a space extending from the side of the pocket 6 to the lower side, and includes a feed motor 121 as a power (drive) source. When the tape cartridge C is mounted in the pocket 6 and the opening / closing lid 21 is closed in this state, the tape T is fed out from the tape reel 52 and the ink ribbon R is fed out from the ribbon feeding reel 53 using the feed motor 121 as a drive source. Then, the print head 7 sandwiches the tape T and the ink ribbon R at the position of the through opening 55 and abuts against the platen 56 so that the tape T and the ink ribbon R run in a mutually overlapping state, and the print head is synchronized. 7 is driven to perform printing. Thereafter, the ink ribbon R is taken up on the tape take-up reel 54 and only the tape T is discharged to the outside of the tape cartridge C through the slit 59 to rotate the platen 56 (the ribbon take-up reel 54 is also rotated synchronously). ) Is continued for a predetermined time, the tape feed of the tape T is continued, the tape T is fed out of the apparatus through the tape discharge port 22, and the predetermined cutting position on the tape T is fed to the position of the tape cutter 132.

  The cutting unit 13 includes a tape cutter 132 and a cutter motor 131 that performs the cutting operation. In addition, it is possible to switch between automatic and manual depending on the mode setting. The cutter motor is operated by manual (manual) cut key for arbitrary length printing, etc., and automatically (automatic) for constant length printing. 131 is driven. In addition to the tape identification sensor 141 described above, the detection unit 14 includes various sensors in each unit in the apparatus. The drive unit 15 includes a display driver 151, a head driver 152, and a motor driver 153. The display driver 151 drives the display 4 of the operation unit 11 according to the instruction based on the control signal output from the control unit 20. Similarly, the head driver 152 drives the print head 7 of the printing unit 12, and the motor driver 153 drives each motor such as the feed motor 121 of the printing unit 12 and the cutter motor 131 of the cutting unit 13.

  The operation unit 11 includes a keyboard 3 and a display 4. The display 4 includes a display screen 41 capable of displaying display image data of 96 dots × 128 dots inside a rectangular shape of about 6 cm in the horizontal direction (X direction) × 12 cm in the vertical direction (Y direction), various setting conditions, and the like. 18 is displayed (not shown), and the user inputs data from the keyboard 3 to create and edit print image data such as character string image data, and visually check the results. It is used when inputting various commands / selection instructions from the keyboard 3.

  The keyboard 3 includes an alphabet key group, a numeric key group, a kana key group such as hiragana and katakana, a character key group 31 including an external character key group for calling and selecting an external character, and various operation modes. A function key group 32 and the like for designating are arranged.

  The function key group 32 includes a power key, a print key for instructing a printing operation, a selection key for instructing data selection at the time of text input, line feed, and selection of various modes on a selection screen, and a cancellation for canceling various operations. Key, a deletion key that cancels various processes and deletes characters after confirmation, etc., a form key for formatting for printing and other various style settings, a cut key for manual cutting as described above, and Cursor movements in the vertical and horizontal directions and four cursor keys for moving the display range of the display screen 41 are included. These may be input by providing a key for each key input, or may be input using a smaller number of keys in combination with a shift key or the like. The keyboard 3 inputs various commands and data to the control unit 20 using these various keys.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 220, a RAM 230, and a peripheral control circuit (P-CON) 240, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 250. The ROM 220, in addition to the control program area 221 for storing the control program processed by the CPU 210, font data such as characters (including numbers, symbols, graphics, etc.) prepared in the apparatus, a color conversion table, a character modification table, etc. Has a control data area 222 for storing. The RAM 230 is backed up when the power is turned off, and includes various flag / register groups 231, a text data area 232, a display image data area 233, a print image data area 234, a drawing registration image data area 235, and an external character registration image data area 236. And various buffer areas 237 such as a character expansion buffer and a print buffer, and used as a work area for various processes.

  In the P-CON 240, a logic circuit for supplementing the function of the CPU 210 and handling interface signals with peripheral circuits, a functional circuit such as a timer for performing various timings, and the like are configured by a gate array or a custom LSI. ing. For this reason, the P-CON 240 is connected to the various sensors of the detection unit 14 and the keyboard 3, loads various detection signals, various commands, input data, etc. into the internal bus 250 as they are or after processing them, and in conjunction with the CPU 210, Data or control signals output from the CPU 210 or the like to the internal bus 250 are output to the drive unit 15 as they are or after being processed.

  With the above configuration, the CPU 210 inputs various detection signals, various commands, various data, etc. via the P-CON 240 in accordance with the control program in the ROM 220, processes various data, etc. in the ROM 220 and RAM 230, and By outputting a control signal to the drive unit 15 via the CON 240, print position control, display screen 41 display control, and the like are performed, and the print head 7 is controlled to print on the tape T under predetermined printing conditions. For example, the entire tape printer 1 is controlled.

  In the tape printer 1, main processing is performed by interrupt processing. For this reason, if the user is ready to create a print image, the user presses the print key at any point in time, a print processing interrupt occurs, the print processing is started, and printing is performed based on the print image data. Images can be printed. In other words, the user can arbitrarily select the operation procedure up to printing.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in the state of the text editing screen display after inputting the character string “ABCDE” on the first line up to the cursor K (screen D10: hereinafter, the state of the display screen 41 is referred to as a screen Dxx). When the print key is pressed by the user, the message “printing” is displayed (D11), and the character string image of the character string “ABCDE” is printed as the print image G00. Cut according to the setting, and create a label L00 with a tape width (label width) TW and a printing length (= label length at the time of label creation = label width in the tape longitudinal direction) LW (see (b) in the figure) When printing is completed, the original text editing screen is restored (D12: same as D10). In the tape printer 1, the user can cancel various instructions by key input using the cancel key. For example, by pressing the cancel key from the above state (D11), the display state (D10) of the original text editing screen is displayed. ).

  Further, for example, in the above state (D10), when the user presses the form key of the function key, a selection screen for various forms is displayed, and from this state, the cursor key and the selection key are operated to select one of the options. When “with outer frame” is selected, various “outer frame” candidates are displayed as options, and from that state, the user can select a desired “outer frame”. When the print key is pressed while returning to the text editing screen (D10 in FIG. 3), a message “Printing” is displayed (D11), for example, an “outer frame” as shown in FIG. 4B. The image of the character string “ABCDE” with the outer frame is printed as a print image G10 as shown in FIG. 10C to create a label L10. When printing is completed, the original text editing screen is restored (D12: D10). Same as).

  In this case, as the internal processing, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, first, the front character images (parenthesis image: [ ) F10 and the rear character image (parenthesis image:]) R10 are arranged, and a border line is formed between them to create an outer frame designated (selected) as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to print processing.

  By the way, in general, in the case described above, for example, preparing a bracketed image F10 or the like as a bitmap font for each size (size: height, line width, etc.) results in a huge storage capacity. An outline font that can be easily enlarged or reduced to a free size is often used, but even if an outline font is used, it cannot be set for each size of each part.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5D, although it is relatively easy to set the height of the bracket-like image F10 that becomes the width of the outer frame to n [dots], the line width in that case is set to m [dots]. ], It is necessary to use outline font data indicating a ratio of height: line width = n: m (or line width / height = m / n, etc.). Despite the use of, it is not possible to expect much savings in storage capacity.

  Therefore, in the tape printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, in the above-described case, a bracket-like image having an arbitrary height and an arbitrary line width can be easily created based on the outline font. This will be described in detail below.

  For example, in FIG. 4A, the bracketed image F10 (or R10, which is an example of F10 here) constituting one of the pair of front and rear of the front character image F10 and the rear character image R10 described above is based on the outline font. When creating with a specified height n [dot] and a specified line width m [dot], first, as shown in FIG. 5B, the height (size in the opening width direction of the parenthesis) is n [dot]. Then, an image (first-size solid painted image) M10 in which the outline is filled with black (effective pixel of logic “1”) is created by image development.

  In this case, as the outline font data (original outline data) as a base, at least the data B10-3 indicating the outline of only the bracket-shaped outline, or the connection connecting the bracket-shaped outline and both ends of the opening Data B10-2 having a single closed curve consisting of a contour as an outline may be used, but here, original outline data B10 indicating that the outline is filled with black (effective pixels) is prepared (for example, control data of ROM 220) (Stored in the area 222), and based on this, the image is developed at a height of n [dots] (FIG. 5A shows the image image indicated by the original outline data).

  In this case, since the original outline data B10 and the like are outline font data, even if the height n [dot] is freely specified, a curved portion or the like can be created smoothly and with good appearance. On the other hand, when only the outline of the outline is drawn (for example, when the parenthesis image F10 of FIG. 5D is directly developed based on the outline font), the above height n [dot] is determined. The line width m [dot] of the contour line is also uniformly determined depending on the enlargement factor at the time, and cannot be arbitrarily specified (specified). However, in the image M10 in FIG. Line width doesn't matter.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, in the same manner, the image M10 is smaller than the image M10 by a specified line width m [dots] along the parenthesis-shaped outer portion (that is, the height is (n-2m) [ Dot)] (second size solid image) S10 is created. Also in this case, since it is based on the original outline data B10 and the like (outline font), the curved portion and the like can be created smoothly and with good appearance, and the inside is filled, so the line width of the outline does not matter.

  Then, when the image M10 and the image S10 are shifted by the line width m [dot] along the parenthesis-shaped outer portion and the corresponding OR operation is performed between the corresponding pixels, the result is shown in FIG. Thus, only the size difference between the two images (the dotted line portion shown in FIG. 5C) remains. That is, only the specified line width m [dot] remains along the bracket-shaped outer shape. In other words, only the bracket-shaped outer shape having the specified height n [dot] and the specified line width m [dot] remains, and a desired bracket-shaped image F10 is obtained.

  Therefore, according to the above method, the height n [dot] and the line width m [dot] are designated, and the bracket-like image F10 having an arbitrary height n [dot] and an arbitrary line width m [dot], etc. Can be created with good appearance and easily based on the original outline data B10 of the outline font.

  In the above case, the original outline data B10 is not only the original outline (contour line) but also data indicating that the outline is filled with black (effective pixels), and therefore the image (first size solid painted image) M10. Or image (second-size solid-filled image) S10, a process for scanning the outline (contour line) and painting the inside according to the result is prepared (inserted) as a processing flow. Even if the image is not added, only by developing the image based on the original outline data B10, it is possible to easily create a solid-filled image.

  In the above case, immediately after the desired “outer frame” is selected by the user, the screen is returned to the text editing screen. Before that, the width of the “outer frame” (or an equivalent parenthesis image) The “height” of F10, etc.), the line width, etc. may be directly specified by numerical values. In this case, for example, a message for prompting numerical input or a cursor K indicating the input location can be displayed on the screen. As a unit for inputting numerical values, in addition to general length units (for example, inches and centimeters), it is possible to input in dot units as in the above example, or to select these units. Anyway. In addition, the width of the outer frame (or the height of the parenthesis image) and the line width are automatically (table-based) based on the character size of the input character string image or the like, the tape width TW of the tape T mounted, etc. Etc.) and make them the above specified values.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, inside the parenthesis image F10 described above in FIG. 5, based on the same original outline data B10, for example, along the parenthesis outline from the inside of the image F10 (size of the image S10). Then, the image M20 is created by developing the image with a line width m [dot] smaller and height (n-4m) [dot] (see FIG. 6A). Create an image S20 having a line width m [dot] that is smaller by the line width m [dots] along the outline and having a height (n−6 m) [dots], and perform an exclusive OR operation between corresponding pixels by shifting in the same manner. Thus, a parenthesis image F20 can be created inside and a parenthesis image F30 for a double line outer frame can be created as a whole. Of course, multiple lines of three or more lines can be easily created based on one type of original outline data by repeating the same, and since it is an outline font, a curved portion and the like can be created smoothly and nicely.

  5 and FIG. 6, not only the above-mentioned type of bracket-like image but also other types of bracket-like images F50 such as { Outline) Image M50 and (second size solid outline) image S50 are created by image expansion based on the original outline data B50 of the outline font and the exclusive OR operation is performed, so that the curved portion and the like can be smoothened. Good looking and easy to create.

  In addition to the above, for the various bracket-like images F51 to F53 as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the first size and the second size of the solid fill image are also based on the original outline data of the outline font and the like. By creating by image expansion and performing an exclusive OR operation, a curved portion and the like can be created smoothly and easily.

  By the way, in the first embodiment described above, an example of an outer frame image formed by connecting a pair of front and rear parenthesis images of the outer frame with ruled lines is shown. For this reason, both the front character image and the rear character image are relatively simple parentheses. In addition to the above-mentioned types, the outer frame image includes a more complicated decoration, for example, an image of a character that looks good, or the like.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, even in the case of this type of outer frame image, for example, at the front and rear ends of the character string image of “ABCDE”, any one of the designated type of previous character images F60 to F80, Corresponding rear character images R60 to R80, etc. are arranged and created by connecting them with ruled lines, and are created as print images G60 to G80 with an outer frame as a whole, and then the process proceeds to printing processing.

  In this case, each of the character images F60 to F80, R60 to R80, etc. (hereinafter, representatively “F70, etc.”) is added to the character main body images F60M to F80M, R60M to R80M (hereinafter, representatively “F70M, etc.”). The upper leader lines F60U to F80U and R60U to R80U (representatively referred to as “F70U etc.” hereinafter) for connecting to the upper ruled line (upper ruled line) (to which the upper ruled line is connected), Lower leader lines F60D to F80D and R60D to R80D (hereinafter, “F70D etc.”).

  For this reason, the size n [dot] of each character image F70 and the like is the size between the upper edge of the upper leader line F70 and the lower edge of the lower leader line F70D (see, for example, n [dot] in FIG. 11). : “Height” below)

  Note that the outer frame images in these cases also have the width of the “outer frame” (or the corresponding “height” of each character image F70, etc.) You can specify the width, etc. directly by numerical values so that you can create an outer frame image of the desired size (height, line width) that looks nice and easy. Similarly, input may be performed in dot units, or these may be selected. Further, based on the character size of the character string image or the like, the attached tape width TW, etc., the “height” or “line width” is automatically determined with reference to a table or the like to be the above-mentioned designated value. You can also.

  By the way, in the case of creating an outer frame image using the above-described character images for decoration (hereinafter referred to as “decoration images” as appropriate), it is possible to use an outline font that can be enlarged / reduced to a relatively free size and smoothed. Although desirable, it is still difficult for the character image to have an arbitrary height and its leader line to have an arbitrary line width, as in the case of the various bracket-like images described in the first embodiment.

  Depending on the enlargement ratio, the line width of the upper leader line F70U and the like of the lower leader line F70D, which are also connected to the ruled line, differ from dot to line due to calculation rounding errors or the like (1 due to rounding error). The line width of the expanded leader line does not match the specified ruled line width, and the border between the ruled lines is stepped and the contour is smooth. The problem of not becoming.

  Therefore, in the case described above, in the tape printer 1, the joint between the leader line and the ruled line of the preceding and following character images is smoothed, and the outer frame image having an arbitrary height and an arbitrary line width can be viewed nicely. Since it can be created, the second embodiment will be described in detail below.

  In the tape printer 1 of the present embodiment, basically, the upper ruled line and the lower leader line are used between the upper leader line and the lower leader line of the previous character image and the upper leader line and the lower leader line of the rear character image. Thus, the outer frame image is created by connecting them, but the outline of the outer frame image near the joint is adjusted in order to ensure the smoothness of the joint.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, in the outer frame image before adjustment, the leading ends (joints) of the upper leader line F70U and the lower leader line F70D of the previous character image F70 having the designated height n [dot] are shown. When the specified line width m [dot] is thinner (the line width is smaller) than the upper ruled line LU70 and the lower ruled line LD70, first, image adjustment is performed on the image area including the adjustment target joint in the outer frame image before adjustment. This is an area.

  In the case of the figure, horizontal dt [dot] × vertical n [dot] having a horizontal width of a minute length dt from the position where the upper leader line F70U and the lower leader line F70D have a line width m [dot] in the height direction to the tip. The area is Here, a horizontal dt [dot] × vertical m [dot] contour adjustment image (logical sum image) E70T shown in FIG. 5B is prepared (created by image expansion based on the outline font data and stored. ), The contour is smoothly adjusted by arranging this at the joint and performing the logical sum operation (see FIG. 4C).

  That is, in the above-described example in FIG. 11, the logical sum image E70T is used as the contour adjustment image. In the case described above, the position where the height direction is the line width m [dot] is an example in which the upper leader line F70U and the lower leader line F70D coincide with each other. It may be provided separately on the upper side and the lower side. Also, when the height direction of any leader line does not become the line width m [dot], or when the so-called rectangular logical sum image E70T as described above is arranged at that position, a sense of incongruity occurs (discomfort). In the case of (natural), as shown in FIG. 5B, the logical sum images E70T-2, E70T-3, etc. having an inclination (trapezoidal shape), or having a curve instead of the inclination may be used.

  The logical sum image E70T in these cases has a ruled line side having a length matching the ruled line width m [dot] and a leader line side having a length matching the leader line width mt. Then, a so-called solid image in which a single closed curve connecting both ends thereof is used as an outline, and the inside of the outline along the outline is filled with black (effective pixel of logic “1”). In this case, as described above, if the ruled line side is matched with the ruled line width, the leader line side is matched with the leader line width, and the logical sum operation is performed on the outer frame image, the logical sum image is displayed on the outer frame image. The outlines of the ruled line and the leader line are smoothly connected so as to cover the adjustment target joint, and the outline of the outer frame image can be smoothly and visually enhanced.

  Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, in the outer frame image before adjustment, the leading ends of the upper leader line F70U and the lower leader line F70D of the previous character image F70 having the designated height n [dot] are When the line width is larger than the specified line width m [dot] (the line width is larger), the image adjustment area is assumed (set) in the same manner. In this case, the size in the height direction is set to the line width m [dot]. Even if the upper leader line F70U and the lower leader line F70D are scraped until the width becomes a horizontal df [dot] × vertical n [dot] with a minute width df from the position where the contour (curve etc.) does not become unnatural to the tip. This is an area.

  Here, a so-called blank in which the inside including the outline is filled with white (invalid pixel of logic “0”) in the horizontal df [dot] × vertical (n−2m) [dot] shown in FIG. An image contour adjustment image (logical product image) E70F is created and prepared (stored) by image development based on the outline font data, and this is arranged at a joint to perform a logical product operation. Adjust smoothly (see (c) in the figure).

  That is, in the above-described example in FIG. 12, the logical product image E70F is used as the contour adjustment image. Note that the image adjustment regions may be provided separately on the upper side and the lower side in the same manner as described above in FIG. In addition, when the outline of one of the leader lines is unnatural and uncomfortable, it is possible to provide an inclination or a curve on the upper side or the lower side.

  The logical product images E70F and the like in these cases are commonly used when only the outer edge side (outside of the outer frame) is made coincident (to be flush). That is, the upper edge of the upper lead line F70U serving as the outer edge of the outer frame image is connected so that the upper edge of the upper ruled line LU70 coincides with the lower edge of the lower leader line F70D serving as the outer edge and the lower edge of the lower ruled line LD70. As shown in the figure, since the outer edge becomes smooth as shown in the figure, the joint is conspicuous on the inner edge, and a logical product image E70F or the like is prepared (stored) as a suitable contour adjustment image.

  In this case, the logical product image E70F or the like has a length (that is, (n-2m) [dots]) that corresponds to the distance between the inner edge sides of the upper ruled line LU70 and the lower ruled line LD70 inside the outer frame. A leader line side having a length matching the distance between the inner edges of the upper leader line F70U and the lower leader line F70D, and connecting both ends of the ruled line side and the leader line side to each other. A blank image in which a closed curve is a contour line and the inside including the contour line is all white (invalid pixels).

  That is, if the logical line operation is performed on the outer frame image by aligning the ruled line side between the inner edges of the ruled line and aligning the leader line side between the inner edges of the leader line, the logical product image E70F of the outer frame images The part which overlaps etc. will be deleted. For this reason, if a logical product image having a smooth contour is prepared as the logical product image E70F or the like, the contour of the outer frame image can be sharpened along the contour to smoothly connect the contours of the ruled line and the leader line. The outer frame image can be adjusted with good appearance.

  11 and 12, the image adjustment area is assumed to be on the leader line side of the character image F70 or the like. For example, FIG. 11A corresponds to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13 (b), the image adjustment area is assumed on the ruled line side. For example, for the example of FIG. 11 (a), the ruled line is drawn by the logical product image E70F-2 having the inclination shown in FIG. 13 (a). By performing a logical product operation on the upper ruled line LU70 (shown in the figure), the step on the inner edge side is cut to obtain a smooth contour. For example, FIG. 13B shows the example of FIG. By performing a logical sum operation by superimposing the logical OR image E70T-3 having an inclination on a ruled line (upper ruled line LU70 in the figure), it is possible to add an inclination to obtain a smooth outline. Smoothly connect the outline of the leader line to enhance the appearance of the outer frame image It can be an integer.

  For example, if the image adjustment area is filled with black as shown in FIG. 14A from the same state as FIG. 12A, the contour adjustment image described above (FIG. 12B) is used. Instead of preparing the logical product image E70F and performing the logical product operation, the exclusive OR image E71F of the same size and black inside (c) in FIG. An OR operation may be performed. Further, instead of the above-mentioned logical product image E70F, as shown in FIG. 4D, a logical product image E72F having a shape that can be more easily smoothed due to a curved outline may be used.

  Further, in the case where the above-described method is further advanced in FIG. 14 and the upper leader line F70U and the lower leader line F70D are connected at the root as in the above example, the upper leader line F70U and the lower leader line F70D are directly connected. 15, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, one point on the upper edge of the upper ruled line LU70 (one point on the upper side of the joint in the example shown in the figure) and one point on the lower edge of the lower ruled line LD70 (shown in the figure). In this example, a single closed curve consisting of a first ruled line side of length n [dots] connected to the connection point and an upper leader line and a lower leader line up to the connection point is a first contour line. Then, the inside of the outer shape may be filled with black (effective pixels) to form an image adjustment area.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 15A, the line widths of the upper leader line F70U and the lower leader line F70D of the enlarged character image do not become a problem at this point. In this case, both ends have a second ruled line side shorter than the first ruled line side by a line width (constant line width) m [dot] (that is, a length of (n-2m) [dot]). In the other parts, a single closed curve whose size is narrower by the line width m [dot] than the outer shape along the first contour line is used as the second contour line, and all the white including the second contour line is white. The logical product image E74F of the image or the exclusive OR image E75F in which the inside of the outer shape along the second contour line is filled with black (effective pixel) can be prepared as the contour adjustment image.

  In these cases, the second ruled line side of (n-2m) [dots] in length is then aligned with the first ruled line side (in the center in this case), and the others are along the first outline. Are shifted by the line width m [dot], and if the logical product image E74F, the logical product operation of corresponding pixels is performed, and if the exclusive logical sum image E75F, the exclusive logical sum operation of corresponding pixels is performed. And the size difference between the size of the image adjustment area and the size of the contour adjustment image (logical product image E74F or exclusive logical image E75F) remains.

  That is, in these cases, the creation method is the same as that of the above-described various bracket images in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 5 to 8), and as shown in FIG. 15 (d), along the first contour line. Only the line width (constant line width) m [dot] remains, and the line width (constant line width) m [dot] is connected to the upper ruled line LU75 and the lower ruled line LD75 as it is, so that the outline of the ruled line and the leader line can be smoothed. It can be connected, and the outer frame image can be finely adjusted.

  In the above case, if the shape (curve) of the contour of the contour adjustment image is devised, the line widths of the upper leader line F75U and the lower leader line F75D are not uniform, and only the leading edge is set as the line width m [dot]. It can be left as a leader line similar to the upper leader line F70U and the lower leader line F75D of the character image F70.

  Further, the above-described method is further simplified in FIG. 15, and the shape of the image adjustment area is simplified as shown in FIG. 16A. For example, the logical product operation using the logical product image E70F described above with reference to FIG. Assuming an area that can be completely adjusted (adjustable in the same manner as in FIG. 12C), the inside of the outer shape may be filled with black (effective pixels) to form an image adjustment area. Further, in this case, instead of the logical product operation using the logical product image E70F described above, the same result (FIG. 16 (FIG. 16)) is obtained by performing the exclusive logical operation using the exclusive logical image E73F of the same size and black inside. d) See: Same as FIG. 12 (c).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the image adjustment area is further simplified as shown in FIG. 15A (see FIG. 17A), and black remains in part (see FIG. 17D). It is also possible to perform the logical product operation using the logical product image E70F and the exclusive logical product operation using the exclusive logical sum image E73F, ignoring the image F76).

  As described above, in the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment, an outer frame image is once created, and is used as an outer frame image before adjustment. At least a joint between the leader line and the ruled line of the front and rear character images is used. As the adjustment target seam, the contour adjustment for smoothing the outline of the adjustment target joint is performed while maintaining the line width of at least the center of the ruled line. Can be. That is, when arranging the character images before and after, regardless of the line width, when arranging the ruled lines, ignore the smoothness of the joints somewhat, for example, on the outer edge side (outer frame side). The outer frame image before adjustment can be created once by aligning (outside) only (aligned), etc., and then the smoothness of the joint can be adjusted. In addition, an outer frame image having an arbitrary line width can be created with good appearance.

  More specifically, an image area including an adjustment target joint in the outer frame image before adjustment is set as an image adjustment area, and a contour adjustment image for contour adjustment that can be arranged in the image adjustment area is stored. In addition, a pixel-related logical operation using the contour adjustment image is performed on the outer frame image before adjustment in the image adjustment region. For this reason, assuming the shape of the joint to be adjusted, that is, various shapes that can occur as a form without smoothness, various images of shapes that can be adjusted are prepared (stored) as contour adjustment images, By applying an appropriate logical operation using this to the outer frame image, the contour of the adjustment target joint can be adjusted smoothly.

  When the preceding or following character image F70 or the like is prepared as outline font data, as shown in FIG. 18, the outline adjustment images E70T and E70F to E75F described above are also converted to outline font data (inside the effective pixel data). It is desirable to prepare B70, W70, B71, W72, B73, W74, B75, etc. By doing so, it can be used in an enlarged manner in accordance with the enlargement ratio of the previous or subsequent character image or the like, and is easy to use.

  In addition, the functions of the bracket-shaped image creation device and the outer frame image creation device employed in the tape printer 1 of the above-described (first and second) embodiments, and various processing methods (the bracket-shaped image creation method, the outside) The frame image creation method, etc.) can be applied as a program processed not only by the tape printer 1 but also by various devices that can process the program. For example, storage of such a program such as a CD, MD, or DVD is possible. It can also be applied to media, and this kind of program is stored or read out from the storage medium and executed, so that a bracketed image of any height and any line width can be obtained based on the outline font. It can be created nicely and easily, or the joint between the leader line and ruled line of the front and rear character images is smoothed to any height and any line You can create better-looking the outer frame image of. Of course, other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the tape printing apparatus according to the embodiment in the opened state. The schematic block diagram which shows the control system of the tape printer of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen showing an example at the time of printing, a typical operation on the display screen, and a printing result by the printing. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a bracket-like image, a printed image, and a label. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the production method of a bracket-shaped image. Explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 5 which shows another example. The explanatory view similar to FIG. 5 which shows another example. Explanatory drawing which shows the various examples of the bracket-like image which can be created similarly. Explanatory drawing which shows the various examples of the printing image containing the outer frame image for a decoration. Explanatory drawing which shows the back and front character image utilized in FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a contour adjustment image and the contour adjustment by it. Explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 11 which shows another example. Explanatory drawing which shows another example of an outline adjustment image. Explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 11 which shows another example. Explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 11 which shows another example. Explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 11 which shows another example. Explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 11 which shows another example. Explanatory drawing which shows the various examples of an outline adjustment image and its original data.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer 2 Device case 3 Keyboard 4 Display 7 Print head 11 Operation part 12 Printing part 13 Cutting part 14 Detection part 15 Drive part 20 Control part C Tape cartridge LDxx Lower ruled line LUxx Upper ruled line Fxx Front character (parenthesis) image Rxx After Character (parentheses) image FxxD, RxxD ... Lower leader line FxxU, RxxU ... Upper leader line T Tape

Claims (5)

Using upper and lower ruled lines between the upper and lower leader lines of the front character image serving as the front edge of the outer frame and the upper and lower leader lines of the rear character image serving as the rear edge of the outer frame. An outer frame image creation device for creating an outer frame image by connecting,
A joint between the upper leader line of the previous character image and the upper ruled line, a joint between the lower leader line of the previous character image and the lower ruled line, and a joint between the upper leader line of the rear character image and the upper ruled line And at least one joint of the lower leader line of the rear character image and the lower ruled line as an adjustment target joint, and outside the adjustment leader line and the adjustment ruled line constituting the adjustment target joint. Contour adjustment means for adjusting the contour and the inner contour steplessly,
The contour adjusting means includes
Image adjustment region setting means for setting an image adjustment region including the adjustment target joint, the adjustment leader line end, and the adjustment ruled line end with respect to the outer frame image before adjustment;
Obtaining the leader-side upper intersection and the leader-line lower intersection between the adjustment leader line end of the image adjustment area and the outer and inner contours of the adjustment leader line, and the adjustment ruled line side of the image adjustment area Intersection defining means for obtaining a ruled line-side upper intersection and a ruled line-side lower intersection between the edge and the outer and inner contours of the adjustment ruled line;
A connection image having an upper contour that connects the leader line side upper intersection point and the ruled line side upper intersection point without any step, and a lower image that connects the leader line side lower intersection point and the ruled line side lower intersection point without a step. Connected image placement means for placing instead of the image in the image adjustment area of the previous outer frame image;
An outer frame image creating apparatus characterized by comprising: The contour adjustment means further includes a contour adjustment image storage means for storing a contour adjustment image for the contour adjustment that can be arranged in the image adjustment region,
The connection image arrangement unit includes a logical operation unit that creates the connection image by performing a pixel-corresponding logical operation using the contour adjustment image in the image adjustment region for the outer frame image before adjustment. The outer frame image creation device according to claim 1, wherein Connect the upper and lower leader lines of the front character image at the front edge of the outer frame and the upper and lower leader lines of the rear character image at the rear edge of the outer frame using the upper and lower ruled lines. An outer frame image creation method for creating an outer frame image by
A joint between the upper leader line of the previous character image and the upper ruled line, a joint between the lower leader line of the previous character image and the lower ruled line, and a joint between the upper leader line of the rear character image and the upper ruled line And an outer contour of an adjustment leader line and an adjustment rule line constituting the adjustment target joint as at least one joint of the lower leader line of the rear character image and the lower ruled line as an adjustment target joint And an outer frame image creating method, wherein the inner contour is contour-adjusted steplessly.   A program that allows each means of the outer frame image creation device according to claim 1 to function or that the outer frame image creation method according to claim 3 can be executed.   5. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 4 in a readable manner by an apparatus capable of processing a program.

Images