JPH01191274A - Character contour modifier using vector font reproduction - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remarkably extend a character representation by the use of vector font data by providing a means for holding the line type pattern data of an outline and a logical operating means for modifying outline data obtained by a contour extracting processing by the line type pattern data. CONSTITUTION:A line type pattern buffer 24 holds the line type pattern data read from a line type pattern storing part 13. An AND gate 25 AND operates outline data read from an outline font buffer 22 and the line type pattern data read from a line type pattern buffer 24 for a dot unit to modify the outline data by the line type pattern data. The outline data extracted at the time of forming a vector font pattern from the vector font data is logically operated with the previously registered line type pattern data to modify the contour of a vector font reproducing character by an arbitrary line type pattern. Thereby, a character representing function can be extended by the vector font reproduction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a character contour modification device using vector font reproduction.

(Prior art) In a vector font reproducing device that obtains a dot font pattern from vector font data, a specific decorative pattern is applied inside the character pattern area (inside the closed plane) or outside the character pattern area (outside the closed plane). By modifying fonts, it is possible to express a wide variety of characters, and the character expression functions of dot fonts can be greatly expanded. A device that has achieved this goal is a ``reproduction vector font modification device'' disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 62-244302. At this time, the character expression function can be further expanded by modifying not only the inner and outer areas of the character pattern but also the outline itself with various line patterns. can only be expressed as a solid line.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in the conventional vector font reproduction device, although it is possible to decorate the inner and outer areas of a character pattern, it is not possible to decorate the outline itself. , there was a problem in extending the character representation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an outline modification device that can modify the outline of a character by reproducing a vector font with an arbitrary line type pattern and expand character expression.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention combines contour line data (outline data) extracted when generating a vector font pattern from vector font data with pre-registered line type pattern data. By performing logical operations, the contours of vector font reproduced characters can be decorated with any line type pattern, thereby expanding the character expression function of vector font reproduction.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 11 is an editing machine that creates various line type patterns to be modified for contour lines, 12 is a line type buffer that stores the created various line type patterns, and 13 is a line stored in line type buffer I2. This is a line type pattern storage unit in a hard disk drive (HDD) in which seed patterns are registered. Reference numeral 14 denotes a vector font storage section within the hard disk device that stores various character fonts to be reproduced as compressed vector font data. 15 is a vector font reproduction circuit that creates a dot font pattern from the vector font data read from the vector font storage section 14; here, the vector font data and the line type pattern read from the line type pattern storage section 13; data and decorated with a line type pattern,
It has a function to generate various outline font patterns as shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B). The configuration of the functional unit that generates this outline font pattern will be described later with reference to FIG. 16 is a vector font playback device 1
This is a dot development buffer in which dot font patterns including various outline font patterns such as those shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) generated by 5 are developed as a print image on a page-by-page basis.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an outline font pattern generation function section provided in the vector font reproduction circuit 15. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a contour extraction circuit that performs contour extraction processing for generating a dot font pattern from vector font data read out from the vector font storage section 14. This contour extraction mechanism is disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 62-244302, and also in Japanese Patent Application No. 62-244302.
Since it is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2-162878 and the like, its explanation will be omitted here. 22 is the above contour extraction circuit 21
This is an outline font buffer that holds outline data (hereinafter referred to as outline data) extracted in . Reference numeral 24 denotes a line type pattern buffer that holds the line type pattern data read out from the line type pattern storage section 13. The outline font buffer 22 and the line type pattern buffer 24 are read out simultaneously in units of dots by a timing clock (TC) synchronized with the dot pattern development process of the outline font onto the dot development buffer 1B. Reference numeral 25 denotes an AND gate which processes the outline data read from the outline font buffer 22 and the line type pattern data read from the line type pattern buffer 24 in units of dots and modifies the outline data with the line type pattern data. It is. The modified outline data output from this Antogame 1/25 is the timing clock (TC).
) is expanded onto the dot expansion buffer l'8.

The operation of one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 above.

First, prior to the outline font generation process, the editing machine 11 selects the outline font to be modified.
For example, various line type patterns such as a broken line, a dashed line, a two-dot chain line, and a one-dot line are created, temporarily stored in the line type buffer 12, and then registered in the line type pattern storage section 13.

After that, by specifying the character to be modified with an outline and the line type pattern to be modified with an outline, the vector font data read from the vector font storage section 14 and the line type pattern storage section 13 according to the specifications are specified.
The line type/turn data read out from the vector font reproduction circuit 15 are respectively supplied to the vector font reproduction circuit 15.

The vector font reproduction circuit 15 receives the vector font data read from the vector font storage section 14,
When receiving the line type pattern data read from the line type pattern storage section 13, the line type < turn data is transferred to the line type pattern buffer 24, and the contour extraction circuit 21 extracts the contour line data (outline data). is generated and the same data is once called into the outline 7 onto buffer 22. Then, in synchronization with the timing clock (TC), the outline data is sent from the outline font buffer 22, and the line type pattern is sent from the line type pattern buffer 24. Read each data dot by dot,
Outline data modified with line type pattern data is obtained from the AND gate 25, and the modified outline data is developed into dots on the dot development buffer 1B.

This expands an outline font decorated with the specified line type pattern, such as a dot expansion buffer.

In this way, various outline fonts can be created using the character designs of vector fonts and various line type patterns. Furthermore, since the various line patterns created by the user can be directly expressed in the characters, it is possible to enjoy handmade decorated characters that have not been seen before, and the creativity of the characters is greatly improved.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the character contour modification device by vector font reproduction of the present invention, the vector font reproduction device converts vector font data into a dot font through contour extraction processing. By adopting a configuration comprising a means for holding line type pattern data of a line, and a logical operation means for modifying the contour line data obtained by the above-mentioned contour extraction processing with the above-mentioned line type pattern data, vector font reproduction is possible. Character outlines can be decorated with any line type pattern, greatly expanding character expression using Pectotre font data.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (
A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of outline fonts in the above embodiment, respectively. Figure 3 shows the vector font reproducing circuit in the above embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. 11...Editing machine, 12...Line type pick/sofa, 13
... line type turn storage section, 14 ... vector font storage section, 15 ... vector font reproduction circuit, 1
B... Soto expansion sofa, 21... Outline extraction circuit, 22... Outline font buffer, 24
... line type nozu turn no ku sofa, 25... and gate. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue 31 Figures (A) (B) Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a vector font playback device that converts vector font data into a dot font through outline extraction processing,
Vector font reproduction characterized by comprising means for holding line type pattern data of contour lines, and logical operation means for modifying the contour line data obtained by the above contour extraction process with the above line type pattern data. Character outline modification device.