JP2802646B2 - A scaling method for character patterns using vector fonts - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a word processor, an office computer, a DPS (data processing system), a work station, a DTP (desktop publishing), an electronic publishing system, and various other applications. The present invention relates to a method of scaling a character pattern by a vector font, which is suitable for use in an information processing apparatus having a function of scaling a character pattern by a vector font. The present invention relates to a character pattern scaling processing method using a vector font capable of obtaining a character pattern of

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a word processor, a DPS, and other information processing systems, a character pattern generating function for storing information of a vector font forming a character pattern and outputting a character based on the information of the vector font is provided. Has been added.

The information of the vector font used in this case is 1
This is information (point data) on the coordinate position of each point connecting outlines forming characters with straight lines. In other words, the information of the vector font is composed of the coordinates of each connection point for each of one or several independent partial patterns forming a character, and is configured by a series of information groups each forming a closed loop. I have.

First, an example of a hardware configuration of a conventional information processing system having a function of scaling a character pattern by a vector font will be described.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional information processing system having a function of scaling a character pattern by a vector font.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main part. In the drawing, 1 is a vector font storage means, 2 is a scaling processing means, 3 is a new coordinate generating means, and 4 is a pattern forming means.

The vector font storage means 1 stores, for each character required by the system, vector data consisting of the coordinates of each connection point for each character. The vector data is stored as each point data (coordinate value) of the reference dot size. It is set in advance.

The scaling unit 2 has a function of multiplying the coordinate value stored in the vector font storage unit 1 by a scaling factor at the time of scaling to calculate a coordinate value after scaling. At the time of non-magnification, it is needless to say that the magnification is set to 1 and each point data of the reference dot size is output as it is.

The new coordinate generation means 3 generates new coordinates for each point of the dot size after the magnification, based on the coordinate values given from the magnification processing means 2. Also, at the time of non-magnification,
For each point of the reference dot size, a new coordinate is generated.

The pattern forming means 4 has a function of forming a character pattern based on the dot size after scaling output from the new coordinate generating means 3 or the new coordinates of each point of the reference dot size.

Next, the configuration of the conventional vector font data stored in the vector font storage means 1 of FIG. 7 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of vector font data used in a conventional information processing apparatus. In the drawing, (X1, Y1),... (Xn, Yn) each represent one point of coordinate data.

As shown in FIG. 8, the vector font data of one character is composed of only the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of each point with respect to the reference dot size, and connects the coordinate points forming these closed loops. Thus, the outline of the character is formed.

In general, vector font data forming one character is composed of such a closed loop, that is, a plurality of sets of data connecting coordinate points. In the case of a black character, the inside of the outline of the formed character is filled (filled) with black dots.

When the scaling process is performed, the coordinate value after scaling is calculated by multiplying (multiplying) the coordinate data (Xn, Yn) at the reference dot size.

Here, if the coordinate data after scaling is x, y, the coordinate data at the reference size is X, Y, and the magnification is S, the calculation formula is
It looks like this:

x = X * S (1) y = Y * S (2) As described above, in the conventional scaling processing method, the point address (coordinate data) at the reference dot size is simply multiplied by the magnification. doing.

However, in such a simple process, it is impossible to avoid the occurrence of a calculation error in calculating each coordinate value after scaling, and as a result, the quality of the output character pattern deteriorates.

As described above, in the information processing apparatus having the function of scaling the character pattern by the conventional vector font, the point data (coordinate value) of the reference dot size is used during the scaling process.
Is simply multiplied by a scaling factor to calculate the new coordinates, so that the calculation process is extremely simple, but there is a disadvantage that the quality of the generated character pattern is reduced.

According to the present invention, such a disadvantage that occurs in a conventional character pattern generating apparatus using a vector font, that is, for each character, for a reference dot size, a coordinate of a connection point forming a contour of the character with respect to a reference dot size. (Point data) is stored as vector data, and at the time of scaling, the calculation of the new coordinates is performed simply by multiplying the scaling ratio, so that the quality of the output character pattern is reduced. By adding attribute information to each point to distinguish features corresponding to positions on the character pattern, and performing scaling processing according to each feature, a high-quality character pattern can be obtained. It is intended to be able to occur.

More specifically, each point data (coordinate value) at the reference dot size is provided with attribute information (attribute flag) for distinguishing the characteristics of the point (point on the horizontal line, point on the vertical line, point on the oblique line). It is a first object of the present invention to clarify the type of the scaling processing method and to prevent a decrease in image quality at the time of scaling.

At this time, as for the points on the horizontal line (x direction) or the points on the vertical line (y direction), the line width (the width of the line forming one stroke of the character) can be corrected as needed. It is a second object of the present invention to generate a high-quality character pattern by adding such attribute information to make the straight line after scaling more smooth.

Further, for points on the diagonal lines, thresholds for rounding up and down are set in advance to reduce errors during the scaling operation so that smoother diagonal lines can be obtained.
The purpose of.

Means for Solving the Problems In the present invention, first, a vector font storage means for storing vector data comprising coordinates of each connection point, and a pattern formation for forming a contour of a character by the vector data of the vector font storage means Means for scaling the pattern of the vector font output from the pattern forming means, and a function of scaling the character pattern by the vector font. Information indicating a preset type of scaling processing is added as attribute information to each point data of the reference dot size stored in the means, and at the time of scaling processing, the type of scaling processing indicated by the attribute information. The magnification process is performed for each point according to the following.

Secondly, of each point data, the line width correction information is added to the attribute information of the point for which the line width of the horizontal line or the vertical line is corrected, and at the time of the scaling process, the horizontal line or the line indicated by the attribute information The scaling process is performed for each point in accordance with the line width correction information of the vertical line.

Third, the attribute data for instructing the scaling process of the oblique line is added to the point data of the oblique line, and the threshold values for rounding up and down are set for the scaling operation. When the attribute information instructing the diagonal scaling process is determined, the scaling data is corrected based on the set up threshold and the down threshold.

Embodiment 1 In a character pattern scaling processing method using a vector font according to the present invention, font data stored in a vector font storage unit, that is, point data indicating each coordinate point, is classified according to each characteristic. Attribute information (attribute flag) indicating the type of the scaling process is added, and at the time of the scaling process, the added attribute information is determined, and an arithmetic process corresponding to the feature of each point is performed. The new coordinates after scaling are determined.

In this embodiment, the following four types of processing are performed as scaling processing for each point data (coordinate value) (in other words, the characteristics of each point are classified into four types, and each characteristic is classified into four types). , Respectively, to perform different arithmetic processing).

First, a process of multiplying (multiplying) the coordinate data of the reference dot size by a scaling factor (hereinafter, referred to as a first processing method), and second, a process of correcting in the x direction (hereinafter, referred to as a second processing method). Third, a process for correcting in the y direction (hereinafter, referred to as a third processing method), and fourth, a process for correcting in an oblique direction (hereinafter, referred to as a fourth processing method).

At the time of the second and third correction processing, attribute information for performing line width correction is added as necessary so that the straight line of the character pattern after scaling is further smoothed. At the time of processing, arithmetic processing is performed using the line width correction information.

Next, with reference to the drawings, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of a method of scaling a character pattern by a vector font according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an example of the contents of attribute information added to point data for performing magnification correction processing by the character pattern magnification processing method of the present invention. In the drawing, ~ indicates a point (coordinate), and Y1 and
Y2 indicates the horizontal width, and T1 and T2 indicate the vertical width.

FIG. 2 shows the case of the kanji character “ta”.

As described above, in the case of a character pattern based on a vector font, coordinate values for connecting each point are set as point data for a change point of a pattern forming a character outline. In the case of the kanji character “ta”, a total of five sets of point data forming a closed loop are required, and their vector font data are prepared in advance.

In the case of FIG. 2, the points 1 to 3 are distinguished by attaching the same reference numerals to the points 4 to which the same type of scaling processing is performed.

First, the point that forms the outer periphery of the kanji “ta” is
The processing method is "multiplying (multiplying) the coordinate data of the reference dot size by the scaling factor". The same processing is performed for the other points.

The scaling process at this point is the same as the conventional scaling process method (first processing method).

That is, if the coordinate data after scaling is x, y, the coordinate data at the reference size is X, Y, and the magnification is S, x = X * S (1) y = Y * S (2) ).

Next, the point is corrected in the x direction (second processing method).

Here, the line width in the x direction at the target point is represented by Y1
Then, the scaling process of the line width of the point is as follows: x = (X + Y1) * S-Y1 * S (3) y = Y * S (2)

On the other hand, the point is corrected in the y direction (third processing method).

Assuming that the line width in the y-direction at the target point is T1, the scaling process of the line width of the point is as follows: x = X * S (1) y = (Y + T1) * S-T1 * S ... ... (4)

As for the point, similarly to the previous point, the correction in the x direction is performed by the second processing method. In this case, the value of the line width is Y2.

 That is, the scaling process of the line width of the point is as follows: x = (X + Y2) * S−Y2 * S (5) y = Y * S (2)

For the point, similarly to the previous point, the correction in the y direction is performed by the third processing method. In this case, the value of the line width is T2.

 That is, the scaling process of the line width of the point is performed as follows: x = X * S (1) y = (Y + T2) * S-T2 * S (6)

Further, the points are corrected in the x and y directions (fourth processing method).

 Therefore, the scaling process of the line width of the point is as follows: x = (X + Y2) * S−Y2 * S (3) y = (Y + T1) * S−T1 * S (4)

In the fourth processing method, processing is performed by using the second and third processing methods in combination.

In the character pattern scaling processing method according to the present invention, the first to fourth processing methods (processing) corresponding to the state (characteristic) of each point on the outline of the character with respect to the point data constituting the font data. Is selected in advance. Then, it is added to each point data as attribute information (attribute flag) indicating a processing method.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of attribute information attached to point data used in the character pattern scaling processing method according to the present invention. In the drawing, Atr1, Atr2, ...
…, Atrn indicates attribute information.

In the point data shown in FIG. 3, for example, the coordinates (X1, Y1) have the attribute information Atr1 and the coordinates (X2, Y2)
Has attribute information Atr2 added thereto.

These attribute information Atr1, Atr2,..., Atrn are the first
To the fourth scaling processing method. In the case of the second and third scaling processing methods, the attribute information for correcting the line width and the attribute information for not performing the correction are both used. Be distinguished.

Next, a description will be given of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus that performs the character pattern scaling processing method using a vector font according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a main part configuration of an information processing apparatus for carrying out a character pattern scaling processing method using a vector font according to the present invention. The reference numerals in the drawings are the same as those in FIG.
Is a vector font storage means with attribute information, 21 is attribute information discriminating means, 22 is a simple scaling unit, 23 is an x-direction line width correction processing unit, 24 is a y-direction line width correction processing unit, and 25 is an x and y direction. 5 shows a line width correction processing unit.

The function of each part of the information processing apparatus for implementing the character pattern scaling processing method of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is as follows.

As described with reference to FIG. 3, the vector font storage unit 11 with attribute information stores a predetermined scaling process (first to fourth processing methods) for each point data of the reference dot size. Attribute information as information indicating the type of
The vector font to which Atr1, Atr2,..., Atrn is added is stored.

Attribute information discriminating means 21 includes attribute information Atr1, Atr2,.
It has a function of determining n, and determines which of the first to fourth processing methods is attribute information.

The simple scaling unit 22 has a function of executing the first processing method determined by the attribute information determining unit 21.

The x-direction line width correction processing unit 23 has a function of executing the second processing method.

The y-direction line width correction processing unit 24 has a function of executing the third processing method.

The xy direction line width correction processing unit 25 has a function of executing the fourth processing method.

Note that the new coordinate generating means 3 and the pattern forming means 4
This is the same as FIG. 7 showing a conventional example.

Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus for implementing the character pattern scaling processing method of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation at the time of the scaling process in the information processing apparatus for implementing the character pattern scaling method using the vector font according to the present invention shown in FIG. In the drawing, # 1 to # 7 indicate steps.

In step # 1, vector font data is read from the vector font storage means 11 with attribute information shown in FIG.

In step # 2, the content of the attribute information is determined by the attribute information determining means 21 shown in FIG.

As a result of the determination in step # 2, when it is determined that the processing method is the first processing method, the process proceeds to step # 3, where the above-described equations (1) and (2) are used.
The scaling process according to (2) is performed.

Also, as a result of the judgment in the previous step # 2, when the second processing method is used, the process proceeds to step # 4, and the above-mentioned equations (2) and
The zooming process according to (3) is performed.

Similarly, as a result of the determination in the previous step # 2, when the third processing method is used, the process proceeds to step # 5, and the above equations (1),
The scaling process according to (4) is performed.

Further, as a result of the determination in the previous step # 2, if the processing method is the fourth processing method, the process proceeds to step # 5, and the above-mentioned equations (3) and
The scaling process according to (4) is performed.

When the processing of steps # 3 to # 6 is completed, the process proceeds to the next step # 7, where the new coordinates are calculated by the new coordinate generating means 3 in FIG. 1, and the character pattern is converted by the pattern forming means 4. Form.

As described above, in the character pattern scaling processing method using a vector font according to the present invention, attribute information (attribute flag) indicating the type of scaling processing corresponding to the feature of each point is added to each point data of the reference dot size. In advance,
At the time of the scaling process, the feature of the point is distinguished based on the attribute information so that the optimum scaling process can be performed.

Therefore, compared to the conventional scaling process, it is more natural,
In addition, a smoothed straight line can be formed.

In the first embodiment described above, the scaling process in the case where a character pattern is formed as a straight line has been mainly described. This embodiment corresponds to claims 1 and 2.

However, in general, not only such straight lines but also oblique lines are often used for forming character patterns.

Even in the case of oblique lines, the correction can be performed by the above-described processing for correcting in the oblique direction (fourth processing method).

However, in the case of a character pattern that uses a lot of oblique lines, adjacent point data increases, and if the operation at the time of zooming is not performed accurately, a smooth oblique line cannot be obtained due to an operation error. Occurs.

Embodiment 2 Next, a scaling process when a character pattern is formed by oblique lines will be described. This second embodiment corresponds to claim 3.

In this embodiment, in order to form a more natural and smoothed diagonal line, at the time of the magnification processing of each point forming the diagonal line, a threshold value for rounding up and down of the magnification operation is set.
The magnification data is corrected using this threshold value.

For the correction of the straight line, the first to third scaling processes are performed in the same manner as described in the previous embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an example of the content of attribute information added to point data for performing diagonal correction in the scaling correction processing according to the character pattern scaling processing method of the present invention. In the drawings, and indicate points, respectively, and the arrows indicate the moving directions at the time of correction.

FIG. 5 shows the case of a kanji "person" having many shaded portions.

When there are many diagonal lines, such as the kanji "person", compared to characters that are almost straight lines, such as "ta",
A series of point data forming a closed loop is also extremely large.

That is, in FIG. 5, only one point is shown as a representative example, but actually, each address (coordinate value) of a hatched portion including this point is set as point data.

In this case, it goes without saying that the more point data to be set, the more a smooth diagonal line or curve can be obtained.

The same applies to the other points (1) to (4).

Note that point data indicating one point of the outline of the character, such as a point, is also included.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of attribute information added to point data for performing diagonal correction in the character pattern scaling processing method of the present invention, and an example of arithmetic processing corresponding thereto. In the drawing, 〜 indicates the attribute information given to the corresponding point in FIG. 5 and the corresponding correction expression.

In FIG. 6, (x, y), (X, Y) and S are the same as in the first embodiment, x and y are the output data after the scaling process, and X and Y are the point data of the reference dot size. , S indicate the magnification, and
Fractional part of the X _t is X * S, the fractional part of the Y _t is Y * S, P1 is rounded up threshold, P2 indicates a devaluation threshold.

In the second embodiment, in order to perform the correction in the diagonal direction, information instructing to perform the processings (1) to (3) in FIG. 6 is given to the point data as attribute information.

Then, at the time of the scaling processing, the attribute information added to each point data is determined, and the corresponding arithmetic processing is performed.

The arithmetic processing is performed in step # in the flow of FIG.
6 will be subdivided in correspondence with (1) to (6) in FIG. 6. Although the processing differs depending on the respective attribute information, the processing is basically the same.

In the calculation processing, if the condition of FIG. 6 is not satisfied at the points 1 to 6, the correction processing is not performed.

The output data x and y after the scaling process are truncated below the decimal point to obtain new coordinate values.

According to the character pattern scaling processing method using a vector font according to the present invention, first, attribute information is added to each point data forming the outline of a character as information indicating a preset type of scaling processing. , The characteristics of each point can be easily determined and classified, and arithmetic processing corresponding to the characteristics can be performed (the effect corresponding to the configuration of claim 1). ).

Second, the line width correction information is added to the attribute information of the point for which the line width of the horizontal line or the vertical line is to be corrected in each point data, so that the line width of the character can be changed during the scaling process. Can be performed at the same time, so that a more natural and smoothed straight line can be formed as compared with the conventional scaling processing, and a high-quality character pattern can be created ( Effects corresponding to the configuration of Claim 2).

Third, at the time of scaling processing of a point forming a diagonal line in each point data, a threshold value for rounding up and down of the scaling operation is set, and the scaling data is corrected using the threshold value. , Is more natural than traditional scaling,
Moreover, it is possible to form a smoothed oblique line,
Many excellent effects can be achieved, such as a high-quality character pattern can be created (an effect corresponding to the configuration of Claim 3).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an information processing apparatus for implementing a character pattern scaling processing method using a vector font according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the main part configuration. FIG. 2 shows an example of the contents of attribute information added to point data for performing magnification correction processing by the character pattern magnification processing method of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a measuring device associated with point data used in the character pattern scaling processing method according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the measuring device according to the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation at the time of a scaling process for an information processing apparatus which performs a scaling process of a character pattern. FIG. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an example of the content of attribute information added to the point data in order to perform the correction in FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of attribute information to be added to int data and an arithmetic processing corresponding thereto. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of vector font data used in a conventional information processing apparatus. In the drawing, 3 is a new coordinate generating means, 4 is a pattern forming means, 11 is a vector font storing means with attribute information, 21
Is attribute information discriminating means, 22 is a simple scaling unit, 23 is an x-direction line width correction processing unit, 24 is a y-direction line width correction processing unit, and 25 is an x-line width correction unit.
Y-direction line width correction processing unit.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. Vector font storage means for storing vector data consisting of the coordinates of each connection point, pattern forming means for forming a contour of a character based on the vector data of the vector font storage means, and output from the pattern forming means. An information processing apparatus having a scaling function for scaling a character pattern by a vector font, wherein each point of a reference dot size stored in the vector font storage means is provided. Information indicating a preset type of scaling processing is added to the data as attribute information, and during scaling processing, scaling processing is performed for each point in accordance with the type of scaling processing indicated by the attribute information. And a scaling method for a character pattern using a vector font. 2. A method for scaling a character pattern by a vector font according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information of a point for correcting a line width of a horizontal line or a vertical line in each of the point data includes: A vector font, wherein line width correction information is added, and a scaling process is performed for each point according to the line width correction information of the horizontal line or the vertical line specified by the attribute information during the scaling process. The scaling method of the character pattern by. 3. A method for scaling a character pattern by using a vector font according to claim 2, wherein attribute information for instructing a scaling process of the oblique line is added to the point data of the oblique line. When the attribute information instructing the scaling process of the oblique line is determined at the time of the scaling process of the oblique line, the threshold value of the set up / down value is set to the set threshold value of the up / down operation. A method for scaling a character pattern using a vector font, wherein the scaling data is corrected.