JPH05197366A - Font data generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a font data generator in which no blur or dissipation of a line occurs even in a character small in dot size and no thickening of a font and increment of data size occurs even in the character of ordinary size by providing a paint-out data generating means, a selective contour data generating means, and a data synthesizing means. CONSTITUTION:The paint-out data generating means 51 finds pixel data representing the whole contour lines from data representing a contour, for example, outline font data. Paint-out data 43 in an area can be generated by edge flag algorithm based on the pixel data. The selective contour data generating means 9 generates the pixel data 44 based on the direction of tracing when the contour line is traced so as to be circulated in left turn. The data synthesizing means 52 synthesizes the selective contour data 44 with the paint-out data 43.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a font data generation device, and more particularly to a font data generation device for generating bitmap font data used for screen display, printing, etc., from outline data, such as outline font data. ..

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today's display devices and printing devices are required to be able to display and print multi-size characters, symbols, figures and the like. (Hereinafter, characters, symbols, figures, etc. are collectively referred to as "characters.") When it is attempted to supply all font data of each size as bitmap font data,
The amount of data will be enormous. In order to avoid this, data representing the contour, for example, outline font data is used. This data is composed of coordinate data representing each point on the contour line. Prepare only one for each typeface.
Based on this, bitmap font data of the requested size is generated (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-164992).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-77089). Bitmap font data, for example, the outline shown in outline font data is enlarged or reduced to a desired size,
It is created by filling the inside. At this time, in a character having a small dot size (pixel size), the thin line portion has a width of less than 1 pixel, which may cause strokes, faint lines, and disappearance. In order to prevent this, conventionally, (1) the data of the pixels corresponding to the so-called edging, that is, the data of the pixels representing the entire contour line is combined with the bitmap font data generated by the internal filling, (2) the contour has one dot It is performed that the contour is transformed with hint information so that the width does not become the following width, and bitmap font data is generated based on this.

[0003]

However, according to the conventional method (1), even if the size is normal, that is, a size that does not cause blurring or disappearance, fonts corresponding to the pixel data representing the contour line are used. Gets fat. Further, in the above method (2), the processing for transforming the contour information is complicated and the processing speed is reduced. The data size increases by the amount of hint information. An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and to provide a font data generation device that does not cause fading or disappearance of lines even for small dot size characters, and does not cause font thickening or data size increase even in normal size. It is in.

[0004]

To achieve the above object, in the first invention of the present application (the invention of claim 1), from the data representing the contour line to the data of the pixel representing the painting of the area surrounded by the contour line. When the contour line is traced from the data representing the contour line and the data representing the contour line, its direction is either left or right, and either top or bottom. A selected contour data generating means for generating data of a pixel representing the contour line of said portion, and a data synthesizing means for synthesizing the data of the pixel representing said painting and the data of the pixel representing the contour line of said portion. In the second invention of the present application (the invention of claim 2), a fill data generation unit that generates data of a pixel representing the painting of the area surrounded by the contour line from the data representing the contour line, and the contour line. An overlapping contour data generating means for generating data of pixels representing a plurality of contour lines from the data, and a data synthesizing means for synthesizing the data of the pixel representing the filling and the data of the pixel representing the plurality of contour lines are provided. Prepare In the third invention of the present application (the invention of claim 3), from the data representing the contour line, the edge data for painting the area surrounded by the contour line and the plurality of contour lines in the direction orthogonal to the filling direction When the outline data is traced from the edge data / specific direction overlapping data generation means for generating the data of the first pixel representing the above and the data representing the outline, the direction is the filling direction or Specific direction selection contour data generation means for generating data of a second pixel representing a contour line of a portion in either of the opposite directions,
A combination of the fill data generation means for generating pixel data representing the fill from the edge data, the data of the first pixel, the data of the second pixel, and the data of the pixel representing the fill. Data synthesizing means for

The "vertical direction" and the "scanning direction" include directions up to 45 degrees with respect to the Y axis.
The "horizontal direction" and the "direction orthogonal to the scanning direction" include directions up to 45 degrees with respect to the X axis. Further, the pixel data representing the filling of the area surrounded by the contour line is hereinafter referred to as "filling data". Similarly, when tracing one round, the contour line of a portion whose direction is either left or right, or either top or bottom is called a “selected contour line”. Pixel data representing the contour line portion is referred to as "selected contour data". Similarly, when tracing the contour line once, the contour line of a portion whose direction is either the filling direction or the opposite direction is referred to as a "specific direction selection contour line". The data of the first pixel representing this contour line portion is referred to as "specific direction selection contour data". Similarly, the pixel data representing a plurality of contour lines is referred to as "overlapping contour data". Similarly, the data of the second pixel representing a plurality of contour lines in the direction orthogonal to the filling direction is referred to as "specific direction overlapping contour data".

[0006]

The painting data generating means of the first invention is designed to extract the outline data, such as outline font data.
For example, the Bresenham algorithm is used to obtain pixel data representing all contour lines. Based on this, for example, an edge flag algorithm is used to generate fill data for that area. The pixel data representing the entire contour line is referred to as "all contour data". The selected contour data generation means of the first invention, when tracing the selected contour data, that is, the contour line in a counterclockwise direction from the data representing the contour, the tracing direction is, for example, leftward,
Alternatively, the pixel data for the downward selected contour line portion is generated. A data synthesizing means of the first invention synthesizes the selected contour data and the painting data. With the selected contour data, for example, the lack of pixels in the upper and left edges of the contour is compensated. As a result, a font data generation device can be realized in which even a character having a small dot size does not suffer line fading or disappearance, and does not cause problems such as a thick font or an increase in data size even with a normal size. The fill data generating means of the second aspect of the invention, like the fill data generating means of the first aspect of the invention, generates fill data of the area. The overlapping contour data generating means of the second invention is
Overlapping contour data, that is, data of pixels representing a plurality of contour lines is generated from the data representing the contour. The data synthesizing means of the second invention synthesizes the overlapping contour data with the painting data. The overlapping contour data compensates for the shortage of pixels in the narrow cut portion. As a result, a font data generating device similar to that of the first aspect of the invention is realized.

The edge data / specific direction overlapping data generating means of the third aspect of the invention includes edge data for filling from the data representing the contour and specific direction overlapping contour data, that is, a plurality of data in the direction orthogonal to the filling direction. The data of the pixel representing the contour line is generated. When the specific direction selection contour data generating means of the third invention traces the data representing the contour so as to go around the specific direction selection contour data, that is, the contour line, the direction thereof is the filling direction or the opposite direction. Data of pixels that represent the contour line of either one of the two is generated. The fill data generation means of the third invention generates pixel data representing the fill based on the edge data. The data synthesizing means of the third invention is
The specific direction overlapping contour data, the specific direction selection contour data and the painting data are combined. With the specific direction selection contour data, for example, the lack of pixels in the edge portion on the left side of the contour is compensated. Further, the specific direction overlapping contour data compensates for the shortage of pixels in a narrow cut portion in the left-right direction, for example. As a result, a font data generating device similar to that of the first aspect of the invention is realized.

[0008]

The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. The functional configuration of the first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. These functions are realized on a workstation or the like. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an input unit which receives information on characters to be displayed from a main control unit (not shown) such as a workstation. The information includes a typeface, character size, and character code. These are supplied in the form of the same typeface and the same size character code. Reference numeral 2 denotes a storage medium such as a hard disk, which holds bitmap font data having a standard dot configuration, for example, 24 × 24 dot configuration. There is one file for each typeface such as Mincho typeface and Gothic typeface. Reference numeral 3 is also a storage medium such as a hard disk, which holds outline font data. The outline font data is made into one file for each typeface such as Mincho typeface and Gothic typeface.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a font data selection unit, which searches the bitmap font data of the corresponding typeface, size, and character code according to the information supplied from the input unit 1, and if found, sends it to the writing control unit 5. Supply. Reference numeral 6 denotes an all-contour data generation unit. When no bitmap font data is found in the font data selection unit 4, the all-contour data is extracted from the outline font data, which is the data representing the contour line of the character code, for example, by the Bresenham algorithm. Data 41 (FIG. 4) is generated. An edge data generation unit 7 generates pixel data 42 (FIG. 6) which is an edge for painting based on the entire contour data 41 generated by the entire contour data generation unit 6. Note that, hereinafter, the pixel data that is an edge for this painting will be referred to as "edge data". Reference numeral 8 is a paint data generation unit, which generates paint data 43 (FIG. 7) based on the edge data. 5 composed of an edge data generation unit 7 and a paint data generation unit 8
Reference numeral 1 corresponds to the painting data generating means of the first invention.

A selected contour data generator 9 generates selected contour data 44 (FIG. 8) from all contour data 41. In this embodiment, when tracing the contour line 21 (FIG. 8 and the like) in the counterclockwise direction, the contour line portions C1-C2, C3-C4, C6-C7 in which the tracing directions are leftward and downward are selected as the selected contour lines. The pixel data representing this is the selected contour data 44. The selected contour data generation unit 9 corresponds to the selected contour data generation means of the first invention. A drawing memory 10 is used for generation of each data in the whole contour data generation unit 6, the edge data generation unit 7, the painting data generation unit 8, and the selected contour data generation unit 9. The writing control unit 5 displays the painting data 43 generated by the painting data generation unit 8 and the selected contour data 44 generated by the selected contour data generation unit 9 in the display memory 11
Write to. The required bitmap font data 61 (FIG. 8) is generated on the display memory 11. Write control unit 5
Reference numeral 52 composed of the display memory 11 corresponds to the data synthesizing means of the first invention. The writing control section 5 and the display memory 11 also correspond to the data synthesizing means of the second and third inventions. A display processing unit 12 reads the bitmap font data stored in the display memory 11 and displays it on the CRT display 13. The display memory 11 is also supplied with display data from another block (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows the procedure for supplying the bitmap font data executed according to this configuration. When information about characters to be displayed is received by the input unit 1 from the main control unit such as a workstation and is supplied to the font data selection unit 4 and the whole contour data generation unit 6, the font data selection unit 4 Reads a bitmap font file (data) corresponding to the typeface from the storage medium 2. Further, the whole contour data generation unit 6 reads out the outline font file (data) corresponding to the typeface from the storage medium 3 (step S11). The word "step" will be omitted hereinafter.

Next, corresponding to the size information supplied from the input unit 1, the all-contour data generation unit 6 internally sets the bitmap font data generation parameters (enlargement / reduction parameters, coordinate conversion matrix data, etc.) ( S1
2). Next, the font data selection unit 4 takes out one character code supplied from the input unit 1 (S13). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the character code ends (S14). At the beginning, the answer is no. The font data selection unit 4 checks the presence of bitmap font data corresponding to the character code at that time (S15).

The font data selection unit 4 holds the bitmap font data read out from the storage medium 2 earlier. The answer is "yes" if there is one that corresponds to the character code at this time. In that case, the bitmap font data is read (S16). If not, bitmap font data is generated by the all-contour data generation unit 6, the edge data generation unit 7, the painting data generation unit 8, and the selected contour data generation unit 9 (S17, details will be described later). The write control unit 5 stores the bitmap font data supplied from the font data selection unit 4, or the paint data 43 and the selected contour data 44 supplied from the paint data generation unit 8 and the selected contour data generation unit 9, It is supplied to the display memory 11 (S18). The display processing unit 12 displays this on the CRT display 13. When the writing control unit 5 functions in the second and third inventions, instead of the selected contour data 44, the overlapping contour data 45, the specific direction selection outline data 46 or the specific direction overlapping outline data 47 is displayed in the display memory. 11 (S1
8).

The details of the processing of S17 are shown in FIG. Table 1 shows an example of outline font data.

[0015]

[Table 1]

A figure based on this outline font data is shown in FIG. Polygons C1 to C7 represented by the solid outline 21 are figures based on this data. Contour line 21
Is, so to speak, an ideal contour line. All contour data generation unit 6
Generates all contour data 41 representing this (S1).
One square area surrounded by a broken line in the figure represents one pixel. The set of hatched pixels is the total contour data 41. The coordinates of each pixel are represented by the coordinates (x, y) of the upper left corner. As an example, the pixel P (0,1) is shown by cross hatching. In the present embodiment, the "Bresenham algorithm" is used as a method of generating the whole contour data 41.
The details will be described later. (For this algorithm, for example, IBM Systemy Journal,
Volume 4 (Vol.4), (1965), (US), Bresenham JE, "Algorithm for Computer Coding of Digital Plotter (Algorithm for Computer Co
ntrol of a Digital Plotter) ", p.25-30.) Other procedures for this include, for example," Digital Difference Analyzer ".
r) ”and so on. (For the digital difference analyzer, for example, David E. Rogers
(David F. Rogers), "Procedural elements for computer graphi
cs) "(1985) McGraw-Hill Book C
See o.) (US). )

Next, the edge data generator 7 generates the edge data 42 from the whole contour data 41 (S2). The paint data generation unit 8 generates paint data 43 based on the edge data 42 (S3). Details of these will be described later. In this embodiment, the “edge flag algorithm (Edg
e Flag Algorithm) ". (For this algorithm, see, for example, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Trans.Comput., Volume C-30 (Vol.C-30), (19
81) (US), Ukland, Bryan, And West,
Ackland, Bryan, and Weste, Neil, "The Edge Flag Algorithm-A Fill Method for R
aster Scan Displays) ", p.41-48.) Other procedures for this include, for example," Ordered Edge List "and" Fence Fill Algorithm ". .. (For the ordered edge list, see, for example, David F. Rogers, "Procedural elements for compute.
r graphics) "(1985) McGraw Hill Book (Mcgraw-Hil
l Book Co.) (US). For the fence fill algorithm, for example, Transon Graphics (T
rans.on Graphics), Volume 2 (Vol.2), (1983) (US) Dunlavey, Michael R., "Efficient Pixel Filling Method for Raster Display Devices (Efficient P
oligon-Filling Algorithms for Raster Displays) ", p.
See pages 264-273. ) In S4, the selected contour data generator 9 generates the selected contour data 44. Details will be described later. In S5, the writing control unit 5 writes the paint data 43 and the selected contour data 44 in the display memory 11. With this, the required bitmap font data 61 is generated.

A procedure for generating the edge data 42 will be described with reference to FIG. Where x = n + 0.5 parallel to the Y-axis
Imagine a straight line. It is shown by a broken line in the figure. n is an integer. This straight line is called "half scan". Contour line 21
Represents the coordinates of the point where this half scan 23 intersects (n +
0.5, y) corresponds to this point (n, ro
The pixel of und (y) is set as a pixel forming the edge data 42. Where "round (y)"
Is a function that rounds y to the nearest integer. The pixels forming the edge data 42 thus generated are shown in FIG.
Is indicated by a solid circle. It should be noted that the broken line circle 24 is not an edge because one pixel represents an even number of contour lines 21. For example, when y = 8, 5 ≦ x
Each pixel of ≦ 8 is a pixel representing the contour line C3-C4 and also a pixel representing C4-C5.

When the same pixel represents two or more contour lines 21, only the one representing the odd number of contour lines 21 is the pixel of the edge data 42 due to the property of the edge flag algorithm. Actually edge data 4
When the pixel is set as the second pixel, it is determined whether or not the pixel is already set as the pixel forming the edge data 42. If set, reset it, otherwise set it. If the pixel consists of 1-bit logical values (monochrome),
This can be realized by taking the exclusive OR of the value of the pixel and 1 (true value) and inverting the result. The fill data generation unit 8 scans the pixels of the edge data 42 vertically from top to bottom to generate fill data 43. The generated paint data 43 is shown by hatching in FIG. The pixels of the edge data 42 are indicated by circles. The filling data 43 is the edge data 4 when the pixels are directly viewed from the top to the bottom.
When the pixel of 2 is hit, it is obtained by inverting the value of the pixel there. Specifically, the exclusive OR of the value of the pixel (Y coordinate is “y”) and the value of the pixel scanned immediately before (Y coordinate is “y + 1”) is calculated.

Generation of selected contour data 44 (at S4 in FIG. 3)
The procedure of (execution) will be described. The above is outlined with reference to FIG.
Bell. In this embodiment, the contour lines are sequentially arranged from C1 to C2 and C3.
When tracing 21, the tracing direction is to the left, and
The contour line 21 when facing downward is the selected contour line.
Specifically, the contours of C1-C2, C3-C4, C6-C7
It is line 21. All wheels generated by the all-contour data generator 6
Selected contour representing the contour line 21 from the contour data 41
Select the data 44. This will be described in more detail. Selected contour
The data 44 is selected by the following rule. Figure 9 is a flow chart
Shown in. (1) Let m be the number of pixels that make up the entire contour data 41.
It Pixels forming the whole contour data 41 are P_nIs written as
It 1 ≦ n ≦ m. Which of these pixels is P₁Even as
good. The first pixel and the last pixel are the same. P₁= P_m
Is. In this embodiment, m = 44 (see FIG. 4). (2) The process ends when n becomes larger than m (S22). (3) P the previous pixel_n-1= (X_n-1, y_n-1), Current
The candidate pixel is P_n= (X_n, y n). (4) x_n<X_n-1Then P_nSelect contour data 44
(S23, S25). (5) (x_n= X_n-1, y_n<Y_n-1), P_nchoose
The contour data 44 is set (S24, S25). (6) In cases other than (4) and (5), P_nIs the selected contour
Data 44 (S24 "No"). (7) Increase n by 1 and return to (2) (S26).

The above (4) means that the candidate pixel is located to the left of the previous candidate pixel. (5) means that the candidate pixel is below the previous candidate pixel. At this time, the pixel is selected as a pixel of the selected contour data 44. In step S23, the x coordinate of the candidate pixel P _n and the immediately preceding candidate pixel P _n-1 are compared. Therefore, n =
Start from 2 (candidate pixel P ₂ ) (S21).

The selected contour data 44 and the paint data 43 thus generated are combined. Bitmap font data to be obtained is a combination (61) of the selected contour data 44 indicated by a circle in FIG. 8 and the painting data 43 indicated by hatching. Only three pixels extend from the filled data 43. These three pixels are
In the filled-in data 43, the part which disappears because the original contour is thin, that is, the vicinity of C2 and C3 is compensated. For comparison,
FIG. 10 shows data 63 obtained by combining the entire contour data 41 and the painting data 43. Contour lines C2-C3, C5-C6
As a result, the pixels of the whole contour data 41 are considerably outside the painting data 43. The notch of the contour line C3-C4-C5 is also crushed. The thing according to the present embodiment does not cause such overweight or crushing. The reproducibility of the contour line 21 is also good.

Further, using the same outline font data, the bitmap font data generated by the conventional method and the bitmap font data generated by this embodiment are shown in comparison with FIG. The letters used are the Gothic letters "A" and "meaning". (A) is a conventional one with only painting data, and both the vertical and horizontal strokes have disappeared. (B) is a conventional one in which all contour data is added, and although there is no disappearance, the collapse of the stroke is conspicuous. Concentration is remarkably higher than the original shape. (C) is according to this embodiment, and there is no crushed stroke and no increase in density. The disappearance of strokes is also prevented, and the strokes can be easily recognized despite the low dot size.

A different embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the contour line 21 is traced counterclockwise (so that the inside of the contour is located on the left). The tracing order may be reversed. The scan direction when painting may be reversed. In the present embodiment, the contour line 21 is traced counterclockwise, and the contour line portion when the tracing directions at that time are left and downward are selected contour lines. As for the tracing direction of the selected contour line, either the left or the right may be selected, and the upper or lower may be selected. For example, a combination of right and bottom and left and top may be used. In this embodiment, generation of all contour data 41, generation of edge data 42,
The generation of the selected contour data 44 and the synthesis thereof are performed separately. However, regarding these processes, for example, the contour line 2
Other known procedures may be used, such as determining for each pixel extracted based on 1 whether it corresponds to a pixel of the edge data 42 or a pixel of the selected contour data 44. . In this embodiment, the drawing memory is used to generate the selected contour data 44. The selected contour data 44 may be held as coordinate values and overwritten on this after the painting data 43 is generated. This eliminates the need to prepare an area for generating the selected contour data 44. Depending on the font shape, the processing time will be shorter. The entire contour data 41 may be processed in the form of either bitmap data or coordinate data. The bitmap font data 61 that has been generated once
Can be held in a memory (not shown) and reused while the workstation or the like is being used.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.
FIG. 11 shows the functional configuration. The first embodiment of the invention is the same as the first embodiment except that the overlapping contour data generator 31 is different. The overall processing procedure is the same as the overall processing (FIG. 2) of the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 12 shows the main part of the processing procedure, that is, the processing content of S17 of FIG. Overlapping contour data 45 in S41
It differs from the first embodiment of the invention in that (FIG. 14) is generated and is combined with the paint data 43 in S51. The overlapping contour data 45 is a pixel indicated by a broken line circle in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows the details of S41
3 shows. The contour line 21 may be traced in either left-handed or right-handed order. The same result can be obtained by reversing the tracing order.

The overlapping contour data 45 is based on the following rules.
To generate. (1) First, the size is large enough to include the polygons handled here.
2 bit planes (drawing areas) of the drawing memory 10
Prepare on top. Each pixel is cleared to zero (S31).
Two bit planes, plane Q and plane R
Then, the pixel (1 or 0) at the coordinate (x, y) of each plane
Are denoted by Q (x, y) and R (x, y). (2) It is assumed that there are m pixels in the entire contour data 41,
P these_n(1 ≦ n ≦ m). First and last
The points are the same. P₁= P_mIs. Which pixel is P 1
It is optional. First, n is set to "1" (S3
2). (3) The process ends when n becomes equal to m (S33). (4) P_nPixel Q (x_n, Y
_n) Is already set, pixel R of plane R
(X_n, Y_n) Is set to 1 (S36). If not
Then, the pixel Q (x_n, Y_n) Is set to 1
(S35). (5) Increase n by 1 and return to (3) (S37).

The pixels set on the plane R are pixels of the overlapping contour data 45 to be obtained, that is, pixels representing a plurality of contour lines. The plane Q is used to confirm whether or not the pixel has been designated a plurality of times as representing the contour line 21. The pixel data remaining on the plane Q is simply a copy of the entire contour data 41. In S51 of FIG. 12, the overlapping contour data 45 and the paint data 43 are combined. FIG. 14 shows the combined bitmap font data 62. Circles are pixels of the overlapping contour data 45, and hatched portions are pixels of the paint data 43. Only two pixels extend from the fill data 43, and these fill the portion of the fill data 43 which is lost because the original contour is thin, that is, near C3. The conventional "composite data 6 of the fill data 43 and the whole contour data 41"
3 (FIG. 10) ", there is no crushing of the cut of the contour line C3-C4-C5. There is no fatness in the contour lines C2-C3, C5-C6, etc. The contour reproducibility is also good. FIG. 15D shows bitmap font data generated by the second embodiment of the present invention for the same characters as the conventional ones. In both cases, the strokes are not crushed and the density is not increased. The disappearance of strokes is also prevented, and the strokes can be easily recognized despite the low dot size.

A different embodiment will be described. The tracing order (counterclockwise, clockwise) and the scan direction for painting may be reversed. For each pixel, it may be determined whether it corresponds to the pixel of the edge data 42 or the pixel of the overlapping contour data 45. The overlapping contour data 45 may be held as coordinate data, and after the painting data 43 is generated, it may be overwritten. The generation of the entire contour data 41 is also the same as in the first embodiment of the invention. The reuse of the generated bitmap font data is the same as in the first embodiment of the invention.

The third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. Third
The invention is, so to speak, an eclectic shape of the first invention and the second invention. With respect to the direction in which the tracing direction is orthogonal to the filling direction, data 47 (FIG. 19) of pixels representing a plurality of contours is generated, and this is converted into pixel data 43 representing the filling, as in the second invention. to add. As for the contour line whose tracing direction is the filling direction or the opposite direction, as in the first invention, the contour line portion of the part tracing in either direction, for example, C1 in FIG.
→ C2 → C5 → C6, the part of C1 → C2,
Dot data 46 (FIG. 19) representing the contour line is generated and added to the painting data 43. The third invention is also the same as the first invention and the second invention in that the effect of improving the print quality regarding font data having a small number of dots is high. However, it has an advantage that the processing time is shorter than that of the first invention and that one bitmap plane is less than that of the second invention.

That is, in the first invention, the direction of the contour tracing is determined. In this embodiment, this determination is made in S23 and S2 of FIG.
Made in 4, the coordinate data X _n-1 of each coordinate data X _n, contour points value the previous Y _n P _n-1 of each contour point P _n, Y _n-1
Is compared with the value of. In the second invention, pixel data 45 representing a plurality of contour lines are extracted. This process is shown in Figure 1.
2 is performed in S41, and it is checked whether or not each pixel of the whole contour data 41 is already set in the plane Q. The process of "comparison of coordinate values" of the first aspect of the invention requires more time than the process of "checking of pixel set / non-set" of the second aspect. On the other hand, there are two bitmap planes necessary for implementing the first invention (FIG. 3, for filling data generation and for selecting contour data). In the second invention, these are three (FIG. 12, for fill data, plane Q, plane R). In the third invention, the tracing direction is checked only in the filling direction (the vertical direction in the embodiment). Therefore, the number of calculations is smaller than that in the first invention. Also, two bitmap planes, Q and R (FIG. 17), are sufficient. In this respect, the third invention is the first invention and the second invention.
Better than the invention.

FIG. 16 shows a functional configuration. The edge data / specific direction overlap data generation unit 71 and the specific selection contour data generation unit 72 are different from the first embodiment of the invention. Others are the same as the first embodiment of the invention, and the overall processing procedure is also the same as the overall processing procedure (FIG. 2) of the first invention. FIG. 17 shows an essential part of the processing procedure of the third embodiment of the invention (S17 in FIG. 2). In S61, the edge data 42, the specific direction overlapping data 47, and the specific direction selection contour data 46 are generated. This processing is executed by the all-contour data generation unit 6, the edge data / specific direction overlap data generation unit 71, and the specific direction selection contour data 72. In S62, the paint data 43 is created based on the edge data 42, and this is combined with the specific direction overlap data 47 and the specific direction selection contour data 46. This processing is carried out by the filling data generator 8 and the data synthesizing means 52, as in the first embodiment of the invention.

The detailed procedure of FIG. 17 is shown in FIG. By this procedure, the edge data 42 and the specific direction overlap data 47
Are generated at the same time. First, planes Q and R are prepared,
It is cleared by zero (S71). The flag F is set to "1" (S72). Next, one pixel P (x, y) of the whole contour data 41 is generated based on the outline font data (S73). It is inspected whether the flag F is "1" (S74). This flag F is used to check whether or not the pixel taken out in S73 is the first pixel. Here, it is “Y (yes)”, and the values of the x and y coordinates of this first pixel are substituted into x _prev and y _prev representing the coordinate data of the immediately preceding pixel (S75). S77, S
At 80, this x _prev and y _prev are compared with x and y, so
In this S75, the value values x and y of the coordinates of the first pixel are x
Substituted as initial values of _prev and y _prev . Thereafter, the flag F is set to "0" (S76). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the filling direction is the vertical direction in FIG. 19, and the pixel data (specific direction selection contour pixel data 46) representing the contour of that portion is provided only when the tracing direction of the contour is downward. Set on the plane R (FIGS. 17 and 19).
Specifically, x is equal to x _prev (S77 “Y”),
When y is smaller than y _prev (S80 “Y”), the value (pixel) R (x, y) at the position on the plane R is set to “1”.
Note that when S80 is “N (No)”, tracing is performed in the upward direction, and thus no pixel is set (S80 → S83).

In S77 "N", since the tracing direction is horizontal, the edge data 42 and the specific direction overlapping contour data 47 are generated (S78, S79, S82). As described in the first embodiment of the invention, the edge flag algorithm always checks if the pixel was not previously designated as an edge. This is because, if a pixel that has been designated as an edge is designated as an edge again, it must be determined that the pixel is not an edge. This check is the same as the check at the time of generating the overlapping contour data of the second invention. Moreover, if only the edge data is checked, two bitmap planes will suffice. The processing speed is fast because only bit operations are required. However, the edge data 42 is generated only in the direction orthogonal to the filling direction (left-right direction in the embodiment). Therefore, the configuration of the second invention is used only in the direction in which the edge data 42 are arranged, and the method of the first invention in which the same two bitmap planes are sufficient is used for the other direction, that is, the filling direction. This is the third invention, and in this case, the number of required bitmap planes is two, as in the second invention, and since the processing for determining the tracing direction is halved, the processing time is shorter than in the first invention. The characteristic of the third invention is brought closer to the second invention.

In the present embodiment, the plane Q is used for generating the edge data 42 and for filling, and the plane R is used for generating the specific direction overlapping contour data 47 and the specific direction selection contour data. Specifically, first, regarding the data (S77 “N”) of the pixel that is the edge, whether or not the value Q (x, y) at the position of the plane Q is “1”, that is, whether the value has already been set as the edge. Whether or not it is checked (S78). "Y"
Then, as the edge, this is the second time (correctly, the even number)
Is specified. The edge data 42, Q (x, y), is set to “0”
And data R (x, y) which is the specific direction overlapping contour data 47
Is set to "1" (S82). After this process is completed, it is checked whether the contour pixel P (x, y) at this time is the last one of the font data (S83), and if "N",
Substituting the values of x and y at that time into x _prev and y _prev (S8
4) Return to S73, generate the pixel of the next full contour data 41, and repeat the process. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, a combination of the specific direction selection contour data 46 and the specific direction overlapping contour data 47 is generated on the plane R. The single circle pixels are the specific direction selection contour data 46, and the double circle pixels are the specific direction overlapping contour data 47. Edge data 42 is generated on the plane Q (FIGS. 17 and 6). When the processing for the last pixel is completed (S83 “Y”),
The filling of the edge data of the plane Q and the overwriting of the pixel data (46, 47) of the plane R onto the plane Q are carried out together (FIG. 17, S62 (the symbol + in ◯ indicates exclusive OR). ). In this way, it is sufficient to scan the pixels of the planes Q and R once. When the same characters as those in FIGS. 15A and 15B are processed according to the third embodiment of the invention, they become the same as those of the second embodiment of FIG. 15D.

A different embodiment will be described. The tracing order (counterclockwise, clockwise) and the scan direction for painting may be reversed. The specific direction selection contour data 46 and the specific direction overlapping contour data 47 are held as coordinate data, and the paint data 4
After 3 is generated, it may be overwritten. The same applies to the reuse of the generated bitmap font data.

[0036]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the data of the pixel representing the painting of the area surrounded by the contour line is generated by the painting data generating means. When the contour line is traced so as to make a round, the selected contour data generation unit generates pixel data representing a contour line portion whose direction is either left or right, or upper or lower. To do. Then, the data of the pixel representing the painting and the data of the pixel representing the contour portion are combined by the data combining means. In the second aspect of the invention, the data of the pixels representing a plurality of contour lines is generated by the overlapping contour data generating means. Then, the data of the pixel representing the painting and the data of this pixel are combined by the data combining means. In the third invention, while generating edge data for filling,
Data of pixels representing a plurality of contour lines in a direction orthogonal to the filling direction is generated by the edge data / specific direction overlapping data generation means. When the contour line is traced once, the selected contour data generation means generates pixel data representing the contour line of the portion whose direction is either the filling direction or the opposite direction. The data of the pixel representing the painting is generated by the painting data generating means. Then, the data synthesizing means synthesizes the data of the pixels representing the plurality of contour lines, the data of the pixels representing the contour lines of the portion where the tracing direction is in a predetermined direction, and the data of the pixels representing the painting. ..

Therefore, unlike the conventional bitmap font data of only the paint data, there is no fear of causing a stroke. There is no thickening of strokes, crushing of strokes, or increase in density, unlike the case of combining fill data and all contour data. There is no decrease in processing speed and no increase in the amount of data due to the presence of hint information, as in the case of modifying the contour line using hint information. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has a great effect of improving the character quality particularly for bitmap font data of low dot size. Since there is no loss of strokes, it is possible to obtain bitmap data that has a small dot size and that allows easy recognition of characters and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the overall processing procedure of the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main part of a processing procedure of the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of all contour data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between a contour line and pixels forming edge data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of edge data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of paint data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of bitmap font data generated according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for generating selected contour data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data obtained by combining paint data and full contour data.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a second invention embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a main part of a processing procedure in the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating overlapping contour data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of bitmap font data generated according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of bitmap font data generated by the first to third embodiments of the present invention in comparison with the conventional one.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a main part of a processing procedure of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of a main part of a processing procedure of the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of specific direction selection contour data and specific direction overlapping contour data.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of bitmap font data generated according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

9 Selected contour data generating means 21 Contour line 31 Overlapping contour data generating means 43 Pixel data representing painting of the area surrounded by the contour line 44 When traced so as to make one round, its direction is either left or right Pixel data representing a contour line portion that is one or the upper or lower side 45 Pixel data representing a plurality of contour lines 46 Pixel data representing a plurality of contour lines in the direction orthogonal to the filling direction 47 Pixel data representing a contour line of a portion whose tracing direction is one of the filling direction and the opposite direction when tracing the contour line 51 Filling data generating means 52 Data synthesizing means 71 edge data / specific direction overlapping contour data generating means 72 specific direction selecting contour data generating means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A fill data generating means for generating pixel data representing a fill of an area surrounded by a contour from data representing the contour, and a contour line is circulated from the data representing the contour. When the tracing is performed as described above, the selected contour data generating unit generates the data of the pixel representing the contour line of the portion whose direction is either left or right and either one of the above and below, and the filling A font data generating device comprising data synthesizing means for synthesizing the data of the pixel representing the pixel and the data of the pixel representing the outline of the portion. 2. A fill data generation means for generating pixel data representing a fill of an area surrounded by the contour line from the data representing the contour line, and a plurality of contour lines from the data representing the contour line. Font data characterized by including overlapping contour data generation means for generating data of a pixel to be represented, and data synthesizing means to synthesize data of the pixel to represent the painting and data of pixels to represent the plurality of contour lines. Generator. 3. Edge data for painting a region surrounded by the contour line from data representing the contour line, and data of a first pixel representing a plurality of contour lines in a direction orthogonal to the filling direction. Edge data / specific direction overlapping data generating means for generating, and when tracing the contour line from the data representing the contour line, its direction is either the filling direction or the opposite direction. Specific direction selection contour data generation means for generating data of a second pixel representing the contour line of the portion, fill data generation means for generating data of a pixel representing painting from the edge data, and the first A font data generation device comprising data synthesizing means for synthesizing pixel data, the second pixel data, and pixel data representing the painting. Place