JP3170168B2 - Character processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character processing apparatus and a character processing method which enable a user to select and use a desired typeface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a device in which a plurality of typefaces are mounted, a desired typeface is selected from the plurality of typefaces, and the typeface is selected by using only the typeface name or a typeface name and a typeface sample.

[0003]

In recent years, with the increase in the capacity of hard disks and the spread of CD-ROMs, the number of typefaces that can be used on one device has been increased, and the range of choices of users has been widened. However, as the number of typefaces increased, similar typeface names increased, and some typefaces were indistinguishable at first glance at the sample. For this reason, it is becoming difficult for the user to select a typeface that he really wants to use based on only the typeface name and the sample. In particular, at present, a sample is rarely displayed when a typeface is selected during use of an application, and in most cases, a user selects a typeface solely based on a typeface name.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example. Since a font can be selected not only by the font name but also by referring to an attribute assigned to each font, the font can be selected easily and accurately. It is an object to provide a character processing device and method.

Further, since the attributes can be changed as desired and the attributes desired by the user can be assigned to each typeface, a character processing apparatus and method with good operability that matches the user's senses are provided. The purpose is to:

[0006]

To achieve the above object, the character processing apparatus of the present invention has the following arrangement. A display unit for displaying a typeface selection panel including a list box for listing available typefaces and an attribute display field for displaying a character string of the typeface attribute selected in the listbox; and an instruction for updating the typeface attributes. Updating means for updating the character string in the attribute display field to a character string input accordingly.

More preferably, the updating means makes the attribute display column rewritable by designating the attribute display column, and updates the character string in the attribute display column to a character string input in a rewritable state. .

[0008] Alternatively, a display means for displaying a font selection screen including a plurality of points corresponding to attribute values of a plurality of fonts stored in the storage means, and among the plurality of points displayed on the font selection screen, When one of the points is designated, the name of the font corresponding to the designated point is displayed, and when the confirmation is designated, the font corresponding to the designated point is read from the storage means and installed. Having.

[0009] More preferably, the apparatus further comprises selection means for selecting an attribute, and the display means displays a point corresponding to the value of the attribute selected by the selection means.

[0010]

【Example】

Embodiment 1 <Description of Apparatus> FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a document processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CRT display device, which displays a document being edited, various message menus, and the like. 2
Is a video RAM (VRAM) that expands and stores an image displayed on the screen of the CRT display device 1. A bit move unit (BMU) 3 controls data transfer between memories or between a memory and each device. Reference numeral 4 denotes a keyboard having various keys for editing a document, etc., 5 denotes a pointing device (PD) used to indicate an icon or the like on a screen, and 6 denotes a CPU, which is a control stored in a ROM 7. Each part of the apparatus is controlled based on a program (a program for realizing the processing of the present invention described later, including a program related to document editing and an error processing program).

Reference numeral 8 denotes a RAM used as a work area when the CPU 6 executes the various programs described above.
Denotes a hard disk drive (HDD), and 10 denotes a floppy disk drive (FDD). Each disk is used for storing application programs, data, libraries, and the like, which will be described later. Reference numeral 11 denotes a printer. Reference numeral 12 denotes a network interface (Net-IF) for controlling and diagnosing data on the network in order to transfer data with another device via the network. Reference numeral 14 denotes an I / O bus (consisting of an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus) for connecting the above-described units. 13 is CD-R
This is a SCSI interface for directly connecting OM, MOD (magneto-optical disk device), additional HD, streamer, scanner, and the like.

The program stored in the ROM in this embodiment may be stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) directly connected to the apparatus. Further, it may be stored on another device connected by a network.

Further, the program of the present embodiment is implemented by FD or H
D or the like, and can be supplied to a system or an apparatus via a network or a network.

<Font Data> In this embodiment, font (font) data that can be used in this apparatus is stored in the HDD 9 of FIG. 1 in the format shown in FIG. In FIG.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a header, which stores a font name, an ID for identifying the font, and a font type (bitmap, PostScript font, TrueType font, etc.). Reference numerals 22 and 23 denote storage areas for attribute information which characterize the present invention.
2 stores appearance attributes such as soft, hard and thin, and the area 23 stores usage attributes such as for official documents and letters as character strings. The areas 21 to 23 have a common format in all fonts available on this apparatus. 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes address information for accessing the character data body 25, and the content differs depending on the typeface shown in the header 21. For example, the start address of a character data entity,
Holds the start address of the character conversion table.
Reference numeral 25 denotes a character data body, which also has different contents depending on the character type.

The present apparatus is provided with an interface for notifying an available font in response to a request when a program operating on the apparatus needs a list of available fonts.

<Example of Character Processing Application> An example of an application that operates on the present apparatus and is capable of changing the font used is shown below. FIG. 3 shows a document editing screen in the application. Reference numeral 31 denotes a menu bar on which processing menus used for document editing are arranged, and 32 denotes an editing area in which characters can be input. 33 on the menu bar 31 is a file menu that collects processing for opening and closing and saving documents, 34 is an edit menu that collects processing for cutting and pasting characters, and 35 is when changing the font. This is a font menu used for.

In this application, the font is changed as follows. First, an arbitrary character (character string) in the editing area 32 whose font is to be changed during character input is selected. Next, when the font menu 35 is selected from the menu bar 31, menus indicated by 36 to 40 are displayed in a pull-down menu. 36 is a menu for selecting a font using only the font name, and 37 is a font for referring to the appearance attribute. A menu for selecting, a menu for selecting a typeface with reference to the use attribute, a menu for selecting a typeface with reference to all attributes (in this embodiment, both the appearance attribute and the use attribute), and a menu for selecting This is a menu for changing the size.

FIG. 4 shows a case where a font is selected only by the font name. Reference numeral 41 denotes a menu pulled down from the font menu 35 of FIG. Reference numeral 42 denotes a font name list displayed by designating the font name menu 36 in FIG. Each typeface name is displayed using that typeface. When the user drags the mouse on this menu to invert the desired font and releases the mouse button, the font is selected, and the selected character string on the edit screen is changed to that font.

FIG. 5 shows a typeface selection panel 51 displayed when the appearance attribute menu 37 in FIG. 3 is designated.
FIG. Reference numeral 52 denotes a scrollable list box that lists fonts available on the apparatus, and displays the font name and the appearance attribute in parentheses beside the font name. When a typeface is selected in the list box, a sample using the typeface is displayed in the non-editable area 53, and the appearance attribute (list box) of the typeface shown in parentheses in the list box is displayed in the editable area 54. Even if it could not be displayed inside, the entire attribute) is displayed. The attributes in this area can be changed by the user, and the list box 52
Is selected or closed by the apply button 55, and is reflected on the font data. 55 is an apply button,
The character selected in the editing area 32 in FIG. 3 is changed to the font selected in the list box 52, and the panel 51 is closed. A cancel button 56 closes the panel 51 without changing the font.

FIG. 6 shows the usage attribute menu 3 in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a typeface selection panel 61 displayed when 8 is designated. Reference numeral 62 denotes a scrollable list box that lists the fonts available on the apparatus, and displays the font name and the usage attribute in parentheses beside it. When a typeface is selected in this list box, a sample using the typeface is displayed in a non-editable area 63, and a use attribute (list) of the typeface shown in parentheses in the list box is displayed in an editable area 64. Even if it cannot be displayed in the box, the entire attribute is displayed. Attributes in this area are:
It can be changed by the user, and is reflected on the font data when another font in the list box 62 is selected or closed by the apply button 65. An application button 65 is shown in FIG.
Is changed to the font selected in the list box 52, and the panel 61 is closed. A cancel button 66 closes the panel 61 without changing the font.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of processing for realizing the functions shown in FIGS. Step S71,
FIG. 3 shows a state in which any of the menus in columns 36 to 39 is designated. Then, the application (in this case, the document editing process) requests the device to notify a list of fonts available on the device. Then, in step S72, a typeface list 81 shown in FIG. 8 is created on the memory. Next, in step S73, the attribute information of each font is read from the font list, and 8 in FIG.
An attribute list is generated on the memory as shown in 2, 83. Then, the head address of the attribute list for each font is set in a predetermined area in the font list 81. Step S
In 74, the application determines whether or not to use the attribute according to the type of the selected menu. If not, in step S75, a list of only the font names shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. If it is determined in step S74 that the attribute is to be used, the list boxes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are displayed in step S76, and necessary information is displayed therein.

Next, the processing procedure for updating the attribute will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, when a menu of font selection by attribute is designated, if the attribute display column 54 or 64 is designated by the PD 5, the column can be rewritten. When a character string is input in this state, the character string is temporarily stored in a memory (steps S111 and S112). Thereafter, when the cancel button 56 or 66 is pressed (step S113), the accepting of the character string input is terminated without updating the attribute list and the typeface list while keeping the menu open. When the apply button 55 or 65 is pressed (step S114), the attribute list and the font list are updated with the input character strings (step S116). In this case, the selected typeface does not change. When another typeface field is specified (step S115), the attribute list and the typeface list are updated with the input character string, and the input of the character is terminated. Next, when the apply button 55 or 56 is pressed, the selected font is changed to the designated font (step S117).

As described above, when selecting a character typeface to be used, by referring to the attribute, the selection can be made easily and accurately. Further, since the attribute of each typeface can be rewritten by the user, an attribute matching the user's feeling can be given to the typeface.

(Embodiment 2) This embodiment is different from Embodiment 1 in FIG.
Is a typeface selection application used to install a typeface arbitrarily selected by the user from a large number of typefaces stored on a CD-ROM in the apparatus shown in FIG. A CD-ROM drive is connected to the SCSI-I / F 13 in the apparatus shown in FIG. The typeface selection application program of this embodiment is stored on a CD-ROM together with a number of typeface data.

FIG. 9 shows typeface data and typeface attribute information stored on a CD-ROM. Numerals 91 to 93 show the structure of one typeface data. Reference numeral 91 denotes a font header section, which is an information section commonly held by each font regardless of the font type, such as a font name, an ID for identifying the font, the type of the font (TrueType, PostScript, bitmap, etc.), date, and the like. . Reference numeral 92 denotes an address information section used to access the character data body, and the content differs depending on the typeface. Reference numeral 93 denotes a character data body, which also has different contents depending on the typeface. A number of typeface data of this format are packed in the CD-ROM. 94-100 is 1
Typeface attribute information corresponding to one typeface. 94 is a font name, 95 is a font ID, and 96 is a font type. 97 ~
100 is a numerical value for each item indicating the image of the font, and 9
7 is a thickness attribute indicating the thickness of the character, 98 is a rigid attribute indicating whether it looks soft or hard, and 99 is a usage attribute 1 indicating whether it is used for an official document or a casual document. 100 is a text. This is a use attribute 2 indicating whether the item is frequently used for a title or a title. Each attribute is -1 in the CD-ROM of this embodiment according to a certain standard.
It is represented by an integer value in the range of 0 to 10. This attribute information is stored in the CD-ROM as a file in a format readable by the font selection application as a table for the number of fonts stored in the CD-ROM.

In this embodiment, the above four attributes are recorded and the attributes are handled by integer values of -10 to 10. However, the type and number of attributes and the method of expressing the attribute values are to produce a CD-ROM. If it is determined at the stage, the content may be different from that of the present embodiment. Also, since it is managed separately from the font data, it is not restricted by the font type and font maker,
Font attributes can be assigned to all fonts recorded on the CD-ROM.

Next, a procedure for installing an arbitrary typeface from the CD-ROM on the apparatus and making it usable on the apparatus will be described. The user has a CD-ROM connected to the device of FIG.
The CD-ROM of this embodiment is inserted into the drive, and the typeface selection application is started by an appropriate method. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a font selection window 101 displayed on the display screen of the apparatus when the font selection application is activated. Reference numerals 102 and 103 denote pop-up buttons for the user to specify a font attribute as a reference for selecting a font. A list of attributes that can be specified by selecting this button is displayed, and an arbitrary attribute is selected from the list. In FIG. 10, the thickness attribute is selected as the reference on the vertical axis, and the usage attribute 1 is selected as the reference on the horizontal axis. 104 is a word indicating the meaning of the thickness attribute and its attribute value, 105 is a word indicating the meaning of the usage attribute 1 and its attribute value, and the reference attribute is 102;
It is rewritten when selected at 103. The words and phrases displayed here are stored in the CD-ROM in a state where the typeface selection application program can read them.

When the two reference attributes are determined, 10
In the graph area shown in FIG. 8, points (black circles in the figure) corresponding to the number of fonts recorded in the CD-ROM are displayed. This is achieved by using the typeface attribute information shown in FIG.
It is displayed at the position on the graph indicated by the attribute values of the two attributes selected at 03. The user designates a point indicating the image of the font to be installed with the mouse, and displays the font name and a sample. 110 is a font name display area, 111 is a sample display area, and in FIG.
09 indicates a selected state. The areas 110 and 111 are rewritten each time a point is selected again. Reference numeral 112 denotes a confirm button. By designating the button, installation of the selected font, that is, the font displayed in the areas 110 and 111, to the apparatus is started. A cancel button 113 terminates the font selection application without installing the font.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts of a procedure for installing a typeface from the CD-ROM to the apparatus. This procedure is as described above, but will be briefly described. First, a CD-ROM in which typeface data is recorded is set, and when an instruction to install a typeface is given by an operator, the typeface attribute information 94 to 100 is read (step S1301). Next, the first of the four attributes
And the second two attributes are appropriately selected (step S130).
2) Also, an appropriate font, for example, the font registered at the top is selected from the registered fonts (step S130).
3).

The values of the first and second attributes of the selected typeface are read, and the values are plotted and displayed on a graph as shown in FIG. 10 (step S1304). CD above
-The process is performed on all fonts recorded in the ROM, and points indicating the characteristics of each font are displayed on a graph (step S130).
6).

When the display is completed, the operator waits for an input by the operator (step S1307). When a point on the graph is designated, the font name corresponding to the designated point is designated as the designated font, and its name, font sample and Is displayed in the font selection window 101 (step S1308 → S1).
309).

When the attribute field 102 or 103 is specified and a new attribute is selected from the pop-up menu, the first or second attribute is changed according to the specification (step S1310 → S1311). After that, the points indicating the new attributes are re-plotted.

When the confirm button is designated, the font designated at that time is read from the CD-ROM, copied to the HDD 9 of the apparatus, necessary header information and the like are newly created, and the font is installed (step). S1312 → S
1313).

If the cancel button is designated, the process ends without performing any operation.

As described above, a new typeface can be installed after determining the typeface by referring to its attributes. For this reason, by classifying fonts in advance according to attributes such as what type of impression the font gives, it is possible to easily select and use an appropriate font according to the purpose of the document.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0039]

As described above, the character processing of the present invention
Since the apparatus and the method can select a font by referring to not only the font but also attributes assigned to each font, the font can be easily and accurately selected.

Further, since the attributes can be changed as desired, and the attributes desired by the user can be assigned to each typeface, there is an effect that the user's feeling is matched and the operability is good.

[0041]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of typeface data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a document editing screen and a menu for changing a font in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a menu when a font is selected by a font name in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a window when a typeface is selected based on appearance attributes in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a window when a typeface is selected based on a use attribute in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process when a user requests a font list according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a font list table and attribute information created on a memory in response to a font list request from a user in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the structure of typeface data and the type of typeface attribute information according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen of a typeface selection application according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a processing procedure for changing an attribute of a font in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a processing procedure for installing typeface data in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a processing procedure for installing typeface data in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 CRT display device 2 VRAM 3 BMU 4 keyboard 5 pointing device 6 CPU 7 ROM 8 RAM 9 hard disk drive 10 floppy disk drive 11 printer 12 network interface 13 SCSI interface

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A list box listing available fonts
And the font of the typeface attribute selected in the list box
Display typeface selection panel with attribute display column to display columns
Display means and the character string entered in response to the instruction to update the font attributes
An updating unit for updating a character string in the attribute display section . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the updating unit specifies the attribute display field.
To make the attribute display field rewritable,
The character string entered in the replaceable state
2. The character processing device according to claim 1, wherein the character string is updated . 3. A plurality of typefaces stored in a storage means.
Display typeface selection screen including multiple points corresponding to attribute values
Display means for displaying one of a plurality of points displayed on the typeface selection screen.
If a point is specified, the typeface name corresponding to the specified point
Name is displayed, and when confirmation is specified,
Read the corresponding font from the storage means and install
Character processing device, comprising:
Place. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit for selecting an attribute, wherein said display unit displays the attribute selected by said selection unit.
4. The character processing device according to claim 3, wherein a point corresponding to the value is displayed . 5. A list box listing available typefaces
And the font of the typeface attribute selected in the list box
Display typeface selection panel with attribute display column to display columns
Display step and the character string entered in response to the instruction to update the font attributes
Updating the character string in the attribute display field.
A character processing method. 6. The updating step includes displaying the attribute display column.
The attribute display field can be rewritten by specifying
The attribute table is added to the character string entered in a rewritable state.
6. The character string in the indication column is updated.
Character processing method. 7. A plurality of typefaces stored in a storage means.
Display typeface selection screen including multiple points corresponding to attribute values
Display step, and one of a plurality of points displayed on the typeface selection screen.
If a point is specified, the typeface name corresponding to the specified point
Name is displayed, and when confirmation is specified,
Processing for installing a corresponding typeface from the storage means
And a character processing method. 8. The method further comprises a selection step of selecting an attribute.
And the displaying step is selected by the selecting step.
Displaying a point corresponding to the value of the attribute
The character processing method according to claim 7.