JP3077180B2 - Data converter - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a data conversion device for converting outline data representing the outline of a character such as a character or a symbol into dot data, and more particularly to securing the width of a line constituting the character.

[0002]

[Prior art]

When data representing characters such as characters and symbols are processed using a computer and displayed in any form such as printing or display, it is widely used to create dot data for each pixel which is the minimum processing unit. . At this time, if dot data is created in advance for all characters to be displayed and stored in the memory, an extremely large memory is required, and therefore, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. It is desirable that the data is stored as outline data representing dot data and converted into dot data by a device having data conversion means at the time of display such as printing and display.

A pixel screen is used to convert the outline data into dot data. The pixel screen defines pixels by a plurality of defining lines parallel to the X axis and the Y axis orthogonal to each other in one plane,
The data conversion means, when an outline representing the outline of the character is superimposed on the pixel screen, converts the dot data corresponding to the pixel including a portion equal to or more than a predetermined reference inside the outline into the presence of the character constituent line. The outline data is converted to dot data by setting the data to be represented.

However, when the outline data is converted into dot data and a character is displayed in this manner, even if the character is composed of the same character depending on the position where the character is displayed, the outline of the contour defining the character is determined. The number, position, etc. of the pixels included in the inside that are equal to or more than a certain reference are different, and the width of the character constituent line, that is, the number of pixels included in the width direction inside the two outlines that define the character constituent line in the width direction Are not always the same. The width of the character composition line is determined by the size that the character is displayed with good appearance when designing the designer, but the width of the character composition line differs depending on the display position, and if the expected width can not be obtained Will cause the balance of the entire character to be lost, and the appearance will be poor. When the number of pixels in the width direction is large, the deviation of the width is inconspicuous, but when the number of pixels is small, it becomes remarkable, causing a problem that the display quality is deteriorated.

[0005] Therefore, the present applicant has previously proposed a data conversion device capable of securing the width of a character constituent line in the application of Japanese Patent Application No. 1-52524. In this data conversion device, for a line of which the width is set among the character constituent lines, the line is designated and line width setting data indicating the width is stored, and the designated character constituent line is defined in the width direction. When the number in the width direction of the pixels included inside the two outlines is not the set number, at least one of the two outlines is moved to include the number of pixels set inside the outline. It is supposed to be.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

When moving the outline as described above, within the same character, if all the outlines are moved at the same time so that the position is the same in the width direction as the outline to be moved, 1
The line widths of all the character constituent lines of the book can be corrected at once. Taking as an example the "day" of the Chinese character shown in Figure 15, the "day" outline consists of three closed loop L _11, L _12, L _13, configure the coordinate values outline data defining each closed loop are doing. When the line width of the vertical line (character configuration line parallel to the Y axis) is maintained in the kanji “day”, the line width setting data specifies, for example, data indicating the width direction and the character configuration line. It is assumed that the data comprises coordinate value data defining one of the two contour lines and data of the width. If the vertical line H ₁₁ in the width direction is X axis direction, the coordinate value X _11, the width is a W _11, X coordinate value at a distance of W ₁₁ from the coordinate value X ₁₁ in the X-axis direction (X ₁₂ It is determined whether or not a predetermined number of pixels is included between the two.) If not, it is necessary to move one of the two contour lines to correct the line width. after determining the correction amount of the X coordinate value, among the coordinate points that define the closed loop L ₁₁ ~L _13, to modify the same X-coordinate value and the X-coordinate values before modification in unison. Now, the character construction line H ₁₁ X
If the X coordinate values after the correction in the case where the coordinate values are corrected movement is allowed by the line width of the contour line of X ₁₂ is to be X ₁₂ ', the coordinates _{(X 12, Y 13),} (X 12, Y 14 _{), (X 12, Y 15} ), (X 12, Y 16)
Are simultaneously corrected to X ₁₂ ′. A contour line having the same X coordinate value usually defines one vertical line, and performing the above-mentioned simultaneous correction corrects the line width of all parts of one character constituent line at once. be able to.

However, if the coordinate values are corrected all at once as described above, there may be a case where the width of the character constituting line that does not need to be corrected is corrected. As shown in FIG. 16, the outline of the kanji “product” is superimposed on the pixel screen 70,
A case where the data is converted to dot data will be described as an example.
Note that, in the figure, the mark x indicates the pixel center point. In this case, each of the three vertical lines of the “mouth” (character constituent lines parallel to the Y-axis direction of the pixel screen 70) is designated to set the width, and the number of pixels included in the width direction is determined. It is assumed that it is set to 2. In the illustrated example, since the number of pixels included in the vertical line 72 of the upper "mouth" in the width direction is 1, one contour line 74 is moved as shown by a dashed line, and two pixels are moved. To be included. At this time, one of the outlines 78 that defines the vertical line 76 of the lower "mouth" is also an outline 74.
Because they are at the same position in the width direction, they are moved as indicated by the two-dot chain line, and the number of pixels included in the width direction becomes one, which is smaller than the width set by the line width setting data. .

An object of the present invention is to provide a data conversion device that can secure the width of a character constituent line without affecting the width of other character constituent lines that should not be affected. It was done.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data conversion apparatus including the data conversion means, as shown in FIG. Each of the groups is divided into a plurality of groups each including one or more character constituent lines, and outline data of the character constituent lines included in each group and at least one of the character constituent lines are designated, and the width of the constituent lines is specified. Grouping outline data storage means 2 in which the line width setting data shown are stored for each group; and (b) two outlines in the group that define the character constituent line specified by the line width setting data in the width direction. When the number of pixels included in the inside of the line in the width direction is not the number corresponding to the line width setting data, the number of the two contour lines is small. At least one of the pixels and another contour line in the same group having the same position in the width direction as one of the pixels are positioned relative to the pixel screen in a direction and an amount such that the number of the pixels corresponds to the line width setting data. An outline moving means 3 for performing a process of moving only the character constituting line for which the line width setting data is designated is provided, and the data converting means 1 is obtained by moving the outline moving means 3. The gist is to convert the outline data into dot data.

The data conversion device according to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, further includes a size determination unit configured to determine whether the size of the character is larger than a predetermined size. When the size discriminating means determines that the character is smaller than a predetermined size, the outline data obtained by the movement of the contour moving means is converted into dot data, and the character is determined by the size discriminating means. The outline is that the outline data is converted to dot data without executing the movement of the outline moving means when it is determined that the outline data is larger than the size of the outline data.

[0011]

[Action and effect of the invention]

In the data conversion device according to the first aspect configured as described above, the movement of the outline is performed for each group formed by dividing the character. Therefore, in different groups, the movement of the outline for setting the line width does not affect each other, and the character constituent lines have the width set by the line width setting data. In the same group, the process of simultaneously moving outlines having the same position in the width direction is performed only for the character component line for which the line width setting data is specified. If the data is divided and stored in the grouped outline data storage means 2 so that the appearance is maintained even if the characters are moved all at once, the width of the character configuration line is secured, and the entire character is viewed better. The dot data that can be displayed is obtained. In addition, within the same group, character configuration lines for which no line width setting data is specified are not affected by the movement of the outline, and there is no possibility that the original design will be damaged.

In the data conversion device according to the second aspect, when it is determined that the character is smaller than a predetermined size, outline data obtained by moving the outline moving means is converted into dot data, and the character is converted to dot data. When it is determined that the outline data is larger than the size, the outline data is converted to dot data without executing the movement of the outline moving means. If the size of the character is large, the width of the character constituent line will also increase proportionally,
The deviation of the width when the dot data is superimposed on the pixel screen is inconspicuous, and the processing time is shortened by not moving the outline.

[0013]

【Example】

Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to a device that converts outline data into dot data in a laser printer will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram mainly showing a part related to data conversion in the control circuit of the laser printer. The microcomputer unit 10, which is a main component of the control circuit, includes a CPU 12, a character ROM 14, a program ROM 16, a text memory 18, a working memory 20, a dot data memory 22, a line width correction data memory 24, and a grouped outline data memory 26. I have. The CPU 12 and the like are connected by a bus 28, and an input device 30 and a printing unit 32 are connected to the bus 28. The input device 30 is for inputting necessary data to the microcomputer unit 10, and the printing unit 32 is a unit for performing printing by a laser printer system based on a command from the microcomputer unit 10. The resolution of this laser printer is 300 dots / inch.

As shown conceptually in FIG. 3, the CPU 12 includes a data reading unit 3
6. It functions as having a line width correction unit 38 for correcting the line width, a data conversion unit 40 for converting outline data into dot data, and the like. The text memory 18 stores character data composed of code data input from the input device 30, and the working memory 20 temporarily stores data necessary for executing a program.
The line width correction data memory 24 stores data related to the correction of the line width obtained by the line width correction unit 38, and the dot data memory 22 stores the dot data obtained by the conversion of the data conversion unit 40.

The character ROM 14 stores outline data of characters such as alphabets and other characters and symbols, and line width setting data for characters whose line width should be maintained at a set value. The character is composed of at least one character constituent line 44, as shown in FIG. 5 by taking the kanji character "product" as an example, and the width direction of each character constituent line 44 is defined by two contour lines 46. The definition in the length direction is also performed by two outlines 46, and these outlines 46 collectively constitute the outline of the character. The set of the contour lines 46 forms a closed loop, and the “article” includes six closed loops L _{1 to} L ₆ as shown in FIG. The outline data includes a group of data representing coordinates of a plurality of points necessary for defining the closed loop for each closed loop. As shown in FIG. 5, the coordinate plane for determining the outline of the character has a vertical (Y axis) and a horizontal (X axis) of 10 characters each.
It has a size of 00x1000. Uppercase letters of the alphabet are drawn using the Y-axis coordinate values between 200 and 1000, and lowercase letters are drawn using the values between 0 and 200. In this coordinate plane, the constructed character of a plurality of straight lines such as "goods" kanji example, L ₁ coordinates of each corner for each loop of the ~L ₆ are stored, the outline data is configured You. In addition, for an object including a curve such as the letter "D", a plurality of points required to define the curve are stored for each closed loop, and outline data is formed. In the coordinate groups stored for each of the closed loops, an address at which the X coordinate value of the first coordinate is stored is stored for each coordinate group so that it can be distinguished which closed loop is the coordinate group. Has become.

The line width setting data is data that specifies the character constituent line 44 whose line width is to be maintained at a predetermined value and defines the width of the line. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. The width direction, coordinate value, and width of the character constituent line 44 are stored for each address that specifies the character constituent line. The width direction is the Y-axis direction in the case of a horizontal line parallel to the X-axis direction, and is the X-axis direction in the case of a vertical line parallel to the Y-axis direction. The coordinate value is a Y coordinate value for a horizontal line, an X coordinate value for a vertical line, and a coordinate value in the width direction of two outlines 46 that define the character constituent line 44 in the width direction. Is the smaller value. Furthermore, the width is
The distance in the width direction between the two contour lines 46. The address is an address of a memory in which the “coordinate value” of the line width setting data is stored, and the character configuration line can be specified by specifying this address. The "article" includes six vertical lines, which are actually distinguished by different addresses.
And it is distinguished by affixing a H ₁ to H _6. Hereinafter, the coordinate values constituting the line width setting data are referred to as set coordinate values, and the width is referred to as a set width.

In the grouped outline data memory 26,
A character is divided into a plurality of groups each having at least one or more character constituent lines as constituent units, and for each group, outline data of character constituent lines included in the group and character constituent line data to be maintained in line width are included. It is memorized. Taking "goods" as an example, it is divided one-shaped "mouth" in the first to three of the third group G ₁ ~G ₃ to 1 group, as shown in FIG. 8, for each group ,
Group start flag F _S is set to 1 byte of storage for that group, the number of closed loop in the group is stored in the second byte is stored is the address that specifies the closed loop 3-10 byte (In FIG. 8, symbols L _{1 to} L ₆
Is shown instead of the address). Further, the number of character constituent lines included in the group at the twelfth byte and the line width correction is specified is stored, and the address specifying the character constituent line for which the line width correction is specified at the 13th to 20th bytes. There after being stored, the end flag F _E indicating the end of one group to the 21st byte is set. Data is similarly stored for the other two groups, and after storing the data of the third group, a character end flag _Fo indicating the end of one character is set. The address for designating the closed loop and the address for designating the character configuration line are respectively associated with the coordinates and line width setting data for defining the closed loop in the character ROM 14, and are stored in the grouping outline data memory 26.
It can be said that the outline data and the line width setting data are substantially grouped and stored.

In this laser printer, the conversion of outline data to dot data is performed using a pixel screen 52 shown in FIG. The pixel screen 52 is a computational one for converting outline data to dot data, but is shown here as an actual one for easy understanding. Also, the pixel here is
The minimum printing unit when printing is performed by laser,
The pixel screens 52 are orthogonal to each other in one plane, and X
Pixels are defined by a plurality of pixel division lines p that are parallel to the axial direction and the Y-axis direction, and are provided at equal intervals. In this embodiment, the pixels are square, and dot data is generated for each pixel to determine whether or not to print. Further, an x-direction defining line x and a y-direction defining line y passing through a center point of each pixel (hereinafter, referred to as a pixel center point) and being parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, respectively, are set. The position of the pixel is represented by the coordinates of the pixel center point. Note that the pixel may have a rectangular shape or another shape.

The pixel screen 52 is supposed to correspond to the printing surface of the printing paper, but FIG. 9 shows only one character for easier understanding. Therefore,
The scale values actually assigned to the x-direction defining lines x and y-direction defining lines y in the entire pixel screen 52 are appropriately set to the scale values assigned to the x-direction defining lines x and y-direction defining lines y in FIG. The value is obtained by adding an integer, but here, only one character is considered.

The conversion of the outline data into the dot data is performed on the assumption that the outline representing the outline of the character is superimposed on the pixel screen 52. In this embodiment, a dot is placed on each pixel inside the outline of the character. Is formed, and the bit data of the pixel is set to 1. Although all or a part of one pixel is included inside the contour, in this embodiment, the bit data of the pixel including the pixel center point inside the contour is set to 1.

In addition, this laser printer has a character of 4.8 points,
Printing can be performed in any size such as 10 points, 12 points, 20 points, 24 points, and 30 points, and the coordinate values of the contour created on the 1000 × 1000 coordinate plane are converted according to the printing size. The conversion of coordinate values is performed by assuming a coordinate plane representing the length of one side of one pixel as 1 on the pixel screen 52. If a character at a certain point is represented by C × C, 1000 If C / 1000 is multiplied by the coordinate value of each point for determining the contour on the coordinate plane of × 1000, the coordinate value on the coordinate plane assumed on the pixel screen 52 can be obtained. When the outline of the character is superimposed on the pixel screen 52, the coordinate value of the reference point of each character on the pixel screen 52 is also determined based on the print position data. Superposition is performed using the converted coordinate values.

As described above, the position of the outline of the character on the pixel screen 52 is affected not only by the size of the character but also by the printing position. Therefore, even in the character configuration line 44 constituting the same character, the width direction is inside the outline. May differ in the number of pixels included, and the width may differ. For example, 1
If the dots formed in the pixels are represented by circles, as shown in FIG. 10A, the character constituent lines whose outlines are designed so that the number of pixels in the width direction is 4 pixels are changed according to the printing position in FIG. As shown in b), the width may be 3 pixels, and this difference is not so noticeable when the print size is large, but becomes noticeable when the print size is small. In the drawing, the mark x indicates the pixel center point. On the other hand, in this laser printer, when the print size is 12 points or less, if the line width is different from the set width, the outline data is corrected and the dot data is set.
The character configuration line can be printed at the set width. The program ROM 16 includes a dot data conversion routine having a line width correction function shown in the flowchart of FIG. Various routines are stored. Hereinafter, the conversion of outline data to dot data will be described, taking as an example a case where kanji "product" is printed at 4.8 points. Since the printing is not essential for understanding the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in this laser printer, printing is performed for each page. Data for one page is read out of the document data stored in the text memory 18, and outline data of a large number of characters corresponding to the data is converted into dot data and printed. First, outline data, line width setting data, and print size of a character to be processed in step S1 (hereinafter, abbreviated as S1; the same applies to other steps) are read. The coordinate values and width included in the outline data and line width setting data are 1000
This is a value set on the × 1000 coordinate plane, and is based on the print size and print position data.
The values are converted into the above coordinate values and stored in the working memory 20. At this time, the width is the value at the coordinates of 1000 × 1000 on one side of one pixel (5 when the print size is 4.8 points).
The value is converted by dividing by 0), and if it cannot be completely removed, the value of the first decimal place or less is rounded off to an integer value. This integer is the number of pixels to be included between the two contours, and is stored in the working memory 20 together with a value that is not rounded off (the distance between the two contours).

Next, in S2, it is determined whether or not the print size is 12 points or less. It is determined whether the line width needs to be corrected.If the print size is larger than 12 points such as 20 points, 24 points, and 30 points, the determination result is NO, and the dot data is set in S10. Is performed. The outline of the character is superimposed on the pixel screen 52 as it is, and the dot data corresponding to the pixel including the pixel center point inside the outline is set to 1,
This is stored in the dot data memory 22.

On the other hand, if the print size is 12 points or less, S2 becomes YES, and it is determined whether or not the character read in S3 is divided into groups. This determination is made based on whether or not the grouped outline data corresponding to the character read in S1 is stored in the memory 26.
Is YES, and the grouped outline data is read out in S4 and below. First, the data of the first byte is read in S4. First group G _{1 in} the first byte
Since the group start flag F _S is set, followed by the determination of S5, executed is NO, the address that specifies the total number and closed loop of the closed loop that is included in the first group G ₁ in S6 is read to indicate the start of the At the same time, the number of character constituent lines 44 whose line width is specified to be corrected in S7 and the address specifying the character constituent lines 44 are read. End until the flag F _E is read is from the group start flag F _S of the stored data until the end flag F _E is read, after reading, S8 is performed line width correction processing is performed.

This processing is the same as the processing described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-52524, and will be described briefly. Since the character constituting lines H ₁ and H ₂ in the first group G ₁ is designated as a line for correcting the line width, H _1, the direction of the width of the H _2, setting coordinate values and setting width is read out from the working memory 20 It is. These set coordinate values and set width are converted into values according to the print size and print position data by conversion in S1,
It is determined whether or not a set number of pixels are included between the converted set coordinate value and the coordinate value separated by the converted set width. The number of pixels is calculated in S1, and if this number of pixels are included, there is no need to correct the width of the character constituent line, and no correction processing is performed.

When the number of pixels is insufficient or excessive, one of two coordinate values defining the character constituting line in the width direction (in this embodiment, the one of the two coordinate values stored as the line width setting data) (Ie, the smaller coordinate value) is moved. H ₁ is a vertical line, the contour 46 is moved in a direction parallel to the X-axis is the number of pixels width direction included in the character configuration line is changed. If the actual width is larger than the set width, the outline 46 is moved in a direction in which the X coordinate value increases, and if the actual width is smaller, the outline 46 is moved in a direction in which the X coordinate value decreases. The outline 46 is moved by a minimum necessary amount so that the actual width becomes equal to the set width, and the coordinate value obtained by the movement is used as the corrected coordinate value. Component line
Similarly also fixes the H ₂ is made a determination whether it is necessary, if necessary corrected coordinate values outline is moved is determined, before correction of the line width correction data with uncorrected coordinates Stored in the memory 24. About character composition line
If the correction of H ₁ and H ₂ is determined and corrected, a coordinate group defining the closed loops L ₁ and L ₂ is read from the outline data based on the closed loop designation addresses included in the first group G _1. Then, the same X coordinate value as the uncorrected coordinate value is read out from the coordinate group, and these X coordinate values are simultaneously converted into corrected coordinate values and stored in the working memory 20.

[0028] If modification determination and correction of the first group line width for G ₁ is made, execution of the routine returns to S4, the next data is read. And than the first data of the second group G ₂ is read, the vertical configuration line H _3, H ₄ Revision of determination and correction is performed. Further, if also performed to correct the judgment and corrected for construction line H _5, H ₆ for the third group G _3, then data to be read is a character end flag F _o, the determination of S5, YES, the S10 The outline data is converted into the dot data by executing the processing. At this time, the coordinate values necessary to maintain the width of the character constituent line in the outline data have been corrected, and conversion to dot data is performed based on the corrected coordinate values, thereby securing the line width. Is done. Also,
Since the line width is corrected for each group, the movement of the outline defining the character constituent line included in one group does not affect the movement of the outline of another group.

When the character is not divided into groups, S3 becomes NO, and after performing line width correction processing in S9, outline data is converted into dot data in S10. The line width setting data is also stored in the character ROM 14 for characters that are not divided into groups, and the line width is corrected based on the line width setting data in the same manner as when the characters are divided into groups.

As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, the part storing the S10 of the program ROM 16 and the CPU 12
Of executing S10, that is, the dot data conversion unit 40
Constitutes the data conversion means 1, the grouped outline data memory 26 constitutes the grouped outline data storage means 2, and the portion of the program ROM 16 for storing S3 to S8 and the portion for executing those steps of the CPU 12, ie, the line width The correction unit 38 constitutes the contour moving means 3. In addition, the portion of the program ROM 16 that stores S2 and the portion of the CPU 12 that executes S2 constitute a size determination unit.

In the above-described embodiment, the vertical lines need to be corrected in three groups, and the horizontal lines need to be divided into groups. There is no. This is because all the contour lines having the same Y coordinate value may be moved at once, and the "article" is divided into one large group for correcting the horizontal line, and the vertical line is corrected in the group. Three small groups to be included. Thus, even when a plurality of small groups are included in the large group, both the vertical and horizontal lines can be corrected for each small group as in the above embodiment. It is desirable to make corrections as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the “article” includes six vertical lines H _{2 to} H ₇ ,
And a six horizontal lines of the V ₂ ~V _7, the outline is defined by six closed loop L ₁ ~L _6. Note that, in FIG. 11, the coordinate values are described only for the sitting style necessary for explanation.
The outline data of "Product" is stored in the character ROM 14 as shown in Fig. 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, each coordinate value can be designated by an address. The line width setting data is stored as shown in FIG. Note that each of the coordinate values is the smaller one of the coordinate values of the two outlines that define the character constituent line, and the widths w _{a to} w _L are positive values. In addition, the grouping outline data
As shown in FIG. 14, one group data designating all the horizontal lines included in the large group including the entire “article”;
Each group data includes _first to third small groups G _{1 to} G ₃ each including one “mouth” as one small group, and group end data e indicating the end of each group.

At the time of line width correction, first, the first group data of the grouped outline data, that is, one group start data s described at the top of FIG. 14 and a subsequent group of data are read. The address of the outline data that is output and that follows the next group start data s is also read. During this reading, the count value of the nesting counter is incremented by one each time the group start data s is read, and decremented by one each time the group end data e is read. Also, the addresses of the line width setting data of the vertical line and the horizontal line are stored in respective predetermined storage areas. Wherein the address of the line width setting data for all of the horizontal line V ₂ ~V ₇ belonging to a large group is stored. Then, using the read data,
Correction of outline data between two addresses following two consecutive group start data s is performed. However, since these two addresses are both equal to 0 in the first group, actually, some correction is performed. No corrections are made. Since there is no group end data e next to the first group data, the stored line width setting data of the horizontal line is left as it is.

Subsequently, the second group data is read. The second group start data s and a subsequent group of data are read. In this case, the address of the outline data following the next group start data s is also read. Since the second group data includes the line width setting data of the _two vertical lines H ₂ and H ₃ belonging to the first small group G ₁ of the “article”, these data and all the remaining horizontal lines Using the line width setting data, the address (0
The outline data between (0) and (80) is corrected. First, numerical values are converted based on the print size and print data prior to correction. Then all the horizontal lines
V ₂ ~V ₇ and two vertical lines included in the first group G ₁ (H _2,
For each of H ₃ ), it is determined whether or not the line width is a predetermined number of pixels. If the number of pixels is insufficient or excessive, the coordinate value necessary for correcting the line width is corrected. Thereafter, among the X coordinate values and the Y coordinate values stored between the two addresses (00) to (80) (the coordinate values stored for the address (80) are not included), the uncorrected coordinate values The same X coordinate value and Y coordinate value are simultaneously corrected to corrected coordinate values. Address (00), (80) the coordinate values between are coordinate values defining a closed loop L _1, L _2, for horizontal lines, six horizontal lines V ₂ ~
Although modified coordinate values for each of the V ₇ is determined, actually the coordinate value is corrected is horizontal V _2, V ₃ included in the first small group G _1. After the line width is corrected, the group end data e is read out. However, since the count value of the nesting counter at this stage is 1 and has not yet become 0,
Line width setting data included in the latest group data, i.e. only the line width setting data set for the vertical line H _2, H ₃ is deleted, the data of the horizontal line V ₂ ~V ₇ of six are left.

Next, the third group data is read, and the address (160) subsequent to the group start data s stored next is read. 2nd small group G ₂
Is read, and since the read data includes the group start data s, the count value of the nesting counter is increased by 1 to 2. And, after the numerical conversion,
It is determined whether or not the line width needs to be corrected for the vertical lines H ₄ and H _5. If necessary, corrected coordinate values are obtained, and then the coordinate values included between the addresses (80) and (160) Of these, if there is an X coordinate value that is the same as the uncorrected coordinate value, it is corrected all at once. Also, if the same Y-coordinate value and unmodified coordinate values of the horizontal line V ₂ ~V _7, is fixed in unison corrected coordinate values obtained previously, horizontal lines V _4, V
Line width of ₅ is modified. After modification, the value of the nesting counter with the reading of the group end counter e is decremented by 1, because still not zero, the line width setting data included in the latest group data, i.e. a vertical line H _3, H ₄
Only line width setting data set for are deleted, the line width setting data for the horizontal line V ₂ ~V ₇ is left.

Further, the fourth group data is read, and the data e indicating the end of the small group follows the fourth group.
And the group end data e indicating the end of the large group are successively stored, so that among the outline data belonging to the large group, all the data after the address 160 are corrected. That is, the line width of vertical lines H _6, H ₇ and horizontal lines V _6, V ₇ contained in the third small group G ₃ is modified. After the correction, the count value of the nesting counter is decremented by 1 when the group end data e indicating the end of the small group is read. However, since the count value is not yet 0, the line width setting data of the vertical lines H ₆ and H ₇ Only deleted. And
Subsequently, if the count value of the nesting counter is reduced by 1 with the reading of the group end data e indicating the end of the large group, the count value becomes 0, so that the horizontal lines V ₂ to
Line width setting data of V ₇ is deleted.

The fact that the count value of the nesting counter has become 0 means that the correction of the line width has been completed for the large group and all the small groups included in the large group. The line width of the small group included in the large group is corrected. In this embodiment, since the "group", which is a large group, is the character itself, the line width of the next character is corrected. However, if the large group is a group obtained by dividing one character, The line width of another large group included in the character is corrected. As described above, even when the group to which the line width setting data is applied differs for each line width setting data, the line width can be corrected without any trouble.

In this embodiment, when the group data is read, the group start data s of the next group of the group and the address of the outline data following the group start data are read to obtain two addresses, thereby obtaining the coordinates. Although the closed loop whose value is corrected is determined, the start address and the end address of all closed loops included in the group may be stored for each group data. In this way, the necessary closed loop coordinate values can be obtained without reading the outline designation address of the next group.

In the above two embodiments, the grouping outline data memory 26 stores the addresses for specifying the closed loop and the character constituent lines, respectively. You may make it memorize by grouping.

Further, in the above two embodiments, the character is divided into
Although one group includes a plurality of independent character constituent lines, the characters may be divided such that one character constituent line belongs to a different group.

Further, one character configuration line may be included in one group.

In addition, without departing from the scope of the claims, various modifications and improvements can be made to the present invention based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a laser printer including a data conversion device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing a CPU which is a component of the control circuit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a data conversion routine among routines stored in a program ROM of the control circuit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a kanji “product” converted by the data conversion device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the setting of the line width setting data of the above “article”.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of the line width setting data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing grouped outline data set by dividing the “article”.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the “article” overlaid on a pixel screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a difference depending on a print position of an outline that defines a character constituent line.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing “articles” converted by a data conversion device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the contents of outline data set for the “article”.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of line width setting data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing grouping outline data.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of conversion of outline data into dot data by a conventional data conversion device.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a problem caused by the conversion of FIG. 15;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 microcomputer section 44 character configuration line 46 outline 52 pixel screen x y-direction specified line xy y-direction specified line y

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G09G 5/24 G06F 17/21 G06T 9/20 G06T 11/20 G06T 1/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] It is assumed that outlines of a plurality of characters represented by outline data are superimposed on a pixel screen which defines pixels by a plurality of definition lines parallel to each other in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction which are orthogonal to each other. In this case, the dot data corresponding to the pixels included in a state satisfying a certain criterion inside the outline defining the character constituent line constituting each character is set as the dot data representing the existence of the character constituent line, and the outline data is set. In a data conversion device provided with data conversion means for converting a character into dot data, at least one of the characters is divided into a plurality of groups each having one or more character configuration lines as constituent units, and the character configuration included in each group Specify line outline data and at least one of the character constituent lines And grouping outline data storage means in which line width setting data indicating the width of the constituent line is stored for each group; and a character constituent line in the group designated by the line width setting data in the width direction. At least one of the two contours, when the number of pixels included in the two contours to be defined inside the two contours satisfying the predetermined criterion in the width direction is not the number corresponding to the line width setting data; And one of the other contour lines in the same group having the same position in the width direction with respect to the pixel screen in such a direction and amount that the number of pixels is a number corresponding to the line width setting data. And a contour line moving means for performing only the processing for causing the line width setting data to be performed on the character constituent line designated by the line width setting data. Data conversion apparatus characterized by the outline data obtained by the movement of the contour line moving means is assumed to be converted to dot data. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a size discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the size of the character is larger than a predetermined size, wherein the data converting means determines that the character is smaller than a predetermined size by the size discriminating means. The outline data obtained by the movement of the contour moving means is converted into dot data when the character is larger than a predetermined size by the size discriminating means. 2. The data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the outline data is converted into dot data without executing the data conversion.