JPH05323950A - Character output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and efficiently output a modified character such as a character with an agate and a mirror character corresponding to received character information. CONSTITUTION:When an extracting means 110 extracts a KANJI(Chinese character) string or KANA(Japanese syllabary) string whose phonetic symbol output is specified from the input character information, a retrieving means 120 retrieves a corresponding phonetic symbol character string in a storage means 100 according to the extracted KANJI or KANA character string and a character generating means 130 generates a phonetic symbol character pattern in a bit map memory according to the retrieved phonetic symbol character string while referring to a font memory.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character output device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a character output device having a memory that stores a bitmap image that transfers input character information to an output unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of character output device, a character font for analyzing and outputting character information input from a host is generated and then expanded in a memory to generate font data in a printer engine or the like. Is output to obtain the final output. Also,
Desired modification processing such as ruby addition to the output font,
Various modifications such as inversion, mirror letters, italics, and emphasis are applied to obtain versatile character output.

[0003]

However, in the character output device capable of executing the ruby character mode processing, when outputting the kanji with ruby by switching the mode, the ruby can be shaken only for the kanji compound words. Because it is configured like this, the above kanji with ruby cannot be output for reading the kunomi kanji with furagana or the one kanji that is not a idiom, which is the normal character output target. There is a problem that the processing cannot be effectively functioned.

Further, in the character output device capable of executing the mirror character processing, since the mirror character of the character can be printed only when it is designated by the application running on the host side, the character output device can be printed on the host side. It is difficult to output the mirror character unless you start an application such as a word processor and send the left and right target bitmap images to the output device, and there is a problem that the mirror character cannot be output in the mode of the output device side. It was

Further, in the character output device with the mirror character mode, it is possible to output the left and right mirror characters by performing the coordinate conversion process only when the scalable font exists in the built-in font ROM or the option card font ROM. However, since only scalable fonts are output as a mirror character for each character, there are problems shown in (1) and (2) below. (1) Fonts other than scalable fonts (eg bitmap fonts) cannot be output as mirror characters. (2) Since the coordinate conversion process is performed for each character, the character print position process in the paint process is required in order to output the sentence as left-right symmetry, and the mirror character output process efficiency becomes low.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a character output device capable of easily and efficiently outputting a ruby character or a mirror character corresponding to received character information. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

A character output device according to the present invention includes a font memory for storing a bitmap font or a scalable font for generating a bitmap image to be output, and input character information in an output section. A bitmap memory for storing a bitmap image to be delivered, and a storage means for storing a kana string or kana kanji character string together with a kana string code or a kana kanji character string code that can be output in a character code,
Extraction means for extracting the designated kana character string or kana kanji character string from the inputted character information, and corresponding means from the storage means based on the kanji character string or kana kanji character string extracted by this extracting means. And a character generating means for generating a furigana character pattern on the bit map memory while referring to the font memory based on the furigana character string retrieved by this retrieving means. is there.

Further, a bit map memory for storing a bit map image for passing input character information to an output part, a font memory for storing a bit map font or a scalable font for generating a bit map image to be output, A character generating means for generating a bitmap corresponding to input character information in the bitmap memory while referring to the font memory, and a bitmap stored in the bitmap memory by the character generating means for each dot row are high-ordered. And bit inversion processing means for inverting the bit and the lower bit and re-expanding the mirror character in the bit map memory.

Further, a bit map memory for storing a bit map image for passing input character information to an output part, a font memory for storing a scalable font for generating a bit map image to be output,
Designating means for designating a character output mode corresponding to input character information, and mirror character processing for re-expanding mirror characters in a bitmap memory by coordinate conversion of a scalable font based on the character output mode designated state by the designating means. And means.

[0010]

In the present invention, when a kanji character string or kana kanji character string designated for output by kana is extracted from the input character information by the extracting means, the kanji character string or kana kanji character string extracted by the searching means is extracted. By searching the corresponding furigana character string from the storage means based on the above, and by generating the furigana character pattern on the bitmap memory while the character generation means refers to the font memory based on the retrieved furigana character string. Output of furigana It is possible to output a ruby character accompanied by furigana to a designated desired kanji string or kana-kanji character string.

Further, when a bit map corresponding to the input character information is generated in the bit map memory by the character generation means while referring to the font memory, the bit inversion processing means sets the bit map stored in the bit map memory to 1 By inverting the high-order bit and the low-order bit for each dot row and re-expanding the mirror character in the bitmap memory, it is possible to efficiently output the mirror character of the bit-map expanded character in a short time.

Further, when the bit map corresponding to the input character information is generated in the bit map memory by the character generation means while referring to the font memory, the mirror character processing means is based on the character output mode designation state by the designation means. By converting the coordinates of the scalable font and re-expanding the mirror character in the bitmap memory, it is possible to specify and output the bitmap that becomes the desired mirror character from the scalable font built in the main body of the character output device at any time. ..

[0013]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a main configuration of a character output device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 100 is a storage means for storing kanji (including kana kana) and its reading by character codes, and 110 is a character code indicating kanji and print kana from the print data to be printed. It is an extraction means for extracting a column. Reference numeral 120 denotes a search unit that searches and extracts the ruby character code for the character code string extracted by the extraction unit 110 from the storage unit 100. Reference numeral 130 denotes a character generating means for generating a ruby character font pattern corresponding to the retrieved ruby character code.

In the character output device configured as described above, when the extraction means 110 extracts a kanji character string or kana kanji character string specified for output in kana kana from the input character information, the retrieval means 120 is extracted. The corresponding kana character string is searched from the storage means 100 based on the kanji character string or the kana kanji character string, and the character generating means 130 refers to the font memory based on the searched furigana character string, and the kana character pattern. Is generated on the bit map memory, it is possible to output a ruby character accompanied by a furigana to a desired kanji string or kana kanji character string designated for furigana output.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a printing device to which the character output device shown in FIG. 1 can be applied.

In the figure, 1 is a printer main body, and 2 is a host computer which is a data supply source. Reference numeral 3 is a CPU (central processing unit) that controls everything in the printer body 1, and reference numeral 4 is an input interface for temporarily storing data sent from the host computer 2.
A program ROM 5 stores a control program including a program to be described later. 6 is a font ROM
Then, a scalable font corresponding to an input character code (a character in which a character is represented by stroke information instead of a dot signal and stored) and a bitmap font pattern prepared for ruby characters are stored. Reference numeral 7 denotes a built-in RAM serving as a memory medium, which includes a ruby character search table 7a for searching for ruby characters from Chinese characters. 8
Is an output unit for printing.

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram showing an example of the ruby character search table 7a shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, the ruby character search table 7a has, as attributes, a kanji code and a ruby character code of a phonetic alphabet corresponding thereto. The kanji code in one record is the kanji code for the kanji compound word, or for kanji whose reading is changed depending on the kana kana, the kanji code that includes kana kanji that can be distinguished from kanji and ruby, or one kanji character makes sense Is provided with a kanji code for one kanji. The ruby character code has consecutive kana kana codes for the kanji. Then, by searching the kanji by the code, it is possible to obtain the character code of the phonetic kana for the kanji character code. The printing process of ruby characters will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the first character processing routine in the character output device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (10) indicate respective steps, and the procedure shown in each step is stored in the program ROM 5 shown in FIG. 2 and sequentially executed by the CPU 3.

First, a character code for one character is acquired from the print-related code string stored in the reception buffer of the input interface 4 (1). Next, it is judged whether the acquired character code is a kanji code (2). If NO, the process proceeds to step (9) and after. If YES, the ruby character search table 7a is accessed (3) to execute the ruby character search process. Run
(Four) . In the ruby character search processing, first, it is searched whether or not there is a match in the kanji character code, and if not, the process proceeds to the next step. If so, the kana kanji attached to the kanji is searched for character by character, and the records in the ruby character search table 7a are narrowed down.

Next, it is judged whether or not the ruby characters are registered (5). If NO, the process proceeds to step (9) and thereafter,
If YES, the corresponding ruby character code string of the reading kana is acquired from the search table for ruby characters (6). Then
After the ruby character code string is acquired, the bit map font for ruby characters corresponding to the character code string is acquired from the font ROM 6 (7). After performing the above ruby character acquisition process, the ruby character font pattern is subjected to line feed processing so that it looks like ruby in kanji, and for those with a kana kana, the ruby character is only above the kanji part. Perform ruby character processing so that it is turned on (8). When the ruby character processing is completed (9), font pattern conversion processing for kanji is performed as usual to synthesize the ruby character font pattern and the kanji character font pattern on the bitmap area. Next, the CPU 3 outputs the combined font pattern to the output unit 8 to execute printing of Chinese characters and ruby characters. Next, go to the next character stored in the input interface 4 (10), and if it is another character code, repeat the above process from step (1). If it is a control code other than the control code other than the character code, the character processing routine is ended and the process proceeds to the next processing.

In the above embodiment, a printing device such as a page printer has been described as an example, but a bitmap CRT is used.
It can be easily applied to display devices and the like.

In the above embodiment, the case where the size of the ruby characters is constant has been described as an example, but the font ROM 6 shown in FIG. If the switch is used to select the desired size of the font font for ruby characters, it is possible to output the kanji character with ruby of the optimum size in accordance with the character size of the kanji part.

Further, although the above embodiment does not refer to the process of switching between the ruby addition mode and the ruby character-less mode, the character output device is provided with a mode switch, and only the conventional characters are displayed by the mode instruction by the mode switch. The printing mode can be switched by the CPU 3 selecting between printing and printing with ruby.

Further, the processing function of the CPU 3 when extracting the kanji from the print data by executing the processing of steps (2) and (3) shown in FIG. 4 is the function of the extracting means 110 shown in FIG. Corresponding to the processing, the function of the CPU 3 when searching and extracting the reading about the kanji compound word in the processing of step (4) from the ruby character search table 7a of the built-in RAM 7 (corresponding to the storage means 100 shown in FIG. 1) The CPU 3 functions as the searching means 120 shown in FIG. 1 and the CPU 3 generates the font pattern for ruby characters in the process of step (7).
The function processing for accessing and generating the character corresponds to the character generating means 130 shown in FIG. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a character output device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 200 denotes a paint processing means, which develops a bitmap into a bitmap if the character is a scalable font based on the received character data and paints the developed bitmap at a position to be actually printed. 1
A bitmap image for a page is created and stored in the storage unit 210. Reference numeral 220 is a bit map inversion processing means, which horizontally inverts the bit map for each dot line to be printed, and stores the bit map corresponding to the mirror character font in the storage means 230.

In the character output device configured as described above, the character generation means 1 included in the paint processing means 200.
When the bit map corresponding to the character information 30 is generated in the bit map memory with reference to the font memory (font ROM 6), the bit map inversion processing unit 220 stores the bit map stored in the memory (memory unit 210). By reversing the high-order bit and the low-order bit for each dot line and re-expanding the mirror character in the bitmap memory (storage means 230), the mirror character of the bit-mapped character is efficiently output in a short time. It is possible.

The mirror character output processing operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the bit map inversion processing state of the bit map inversion processing means 220 shown in FIG. 5, in which (a) shows the bit states before and after the bit map inversion processing for each line, and (b). ) Indicates a bit image state before and after the bit map inversion processing, which is stored in the built-in RAM 7 functioning as the storage unit 230 on a page-by-page basis.

As shown in this figure, the storage means 210
Based on the bitmap stored in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 6A, the high-order bit to the low-order bit of the 1-dot-row bit data are copied from the low-order bit to the high-order bit, Create bit data with the lower bits inverted. Execute this process for one page,
A bitmap for outputting the mirror image is stored in the storage unit 230.

The first mirror character processing operation in the character output device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As a character output device, a case of a page printer will be described as an example of the output unit 8 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the first paint processing routine in the character output device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (11) indicate each step, and the procedure shown in each step is stored in the program ROM 5 shown in FIG. 2 and sequentially executed by the CPU 3.

As described above, the page printer creates a bitmap image for one page on the built-in RAM 7 and transfers it to the output section for printing. Based on the data stored in the input interface 4 of FIG. 2, it is analyzed into the language for the printer, and the program shifts to the paint processing routine together with the drawing information.

First, the character information such as the character code, the character type and the character modification information is acquired (1). Then, a character is selected from the font ROM 6 based on the character information (2).
Next, it is judged whether or not the selected character is a scalable font (3), and if NO, the process proceeds to step (5) and thereafter, and Y
If it is ES, a scalable font is expanded into a bitmap on the built-in RAM 7 (4). Next, it is judged whether or not there are still acquired characters (5), and if NO, the step (7)
After that, if YES, it is determined whether the processing for one page is completed (6), if NO, the process returns to step (1) for the next character processing, and if YES, before passing to the output unit 8. As the processing of (1), the drawing processing for setting the characters expanded in the bitmap to the appropriate position is sequentially performed (7), and when one page is completed, the bitmap image is stored in the page memory (set in the built-in RAM 7). Yes (8). Next, it is judged whether or not the output device is currently in the mirror character mode (9), and if NO, the output unit 8 executes the normal character printing process based on the contents of the page memory.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (9) is YES, as shown in FIG. 6A, the bit map right / left symmetrical inversion processing (bit map inversion processing means 2 for each dot row).
The CPU 3 functioning as 20 executes based on the inversion processing program stored in the program ROM 5) (10), stores the inverted bitmap image for one page in the page memory (11), and outputs the output unit 8 Executes mirror character printing processing based on the contents of the page memory.

In the above embodiment, the case where the output unit 8 as a character output device is a page printer has been described as an example. However, a line printer can also perform mirror character processing according to a flowchart shown in FIG. 8 described later. The present invention can be easily applied.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the detailed procedure of the second paint processing routine in the character output device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (11) indicate each step, and the procedure shown in each step is stored in the program ROM 5 shown in FIG. 2 and sequentially executed by the CPU 3.

As described above, the page printer creates a bitmap image for one page on the built-in RAM 7 and transfers it to the output section for printing. Based on the data stored in the input interface 4 of FIG. 2, it is analyzed into the language for the printer, and the program shifts to the paint processing routine together with the drawing information.

First, the character information such as the character code, the character type and the character modification information is acquired (1). Then, a character is selected from the font ROM 6 based on the character information (2).
Next, it is judged whether or not the selected character is a scalable font (3), and if NO, the process proceeds to step (5) and thereafter, and Y
If it is ES, a scalable font is expanded into a bitmap on the built-in RAM 7 (4). Next, it is judged whether or not there are still acquired characters (5), and if NO, the step (7)
After that, if YES, it is judged whether the processing for one line is completed (6), if NO, the procedure returns to step (1) for the next character processing, and if YES, before passing to the output unit 8. As the processing of (7), the drawing processing for setting the characters expanded in the bitmap to the proper position is sequentially performed (7). When one line is completed, the bitmap image is stored in the page memory (built-in R
(Set on AM7) (8). Next, it is determined whether the output device is currently in the mirror character mode (9),
If NO, the output unit 8 executes the normal character printing process based on the contents of the page memory.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step (9) is YES, as shown in FIG. 6A, the bit map right / left symmetrical inversion processing (bit map inversion processing means 2 for each dot row).
The CPU 3 functioning as 20 executes based on the inversion processing program stored in the program ROM 5) (10), stores the inverted bitmap image for one row in the page memory (11), and outputs the output unit 8 Executes mirror character printing processing based on the contents of the page memory. This allows
The line printer as the output unit 8 can output a mirror character subjected to bitmap inversion processing for each line of a sentence.

In the above embodiment, the case where the scalable font is expanded into the bitmap and the inversion process is applied to generate the mirror character is described. However, as will be described later, a desired desired coordinate conversion process for the scalable font is performed. A scalable font for mirror characters may be created to be developed, and then expanded into a bitmap. Specifically, the bitmap (internal RAM 7) corresponding to the character information input by the character generation means 130 is used as a font. When it occurs in the bit map memory (which is secured in the built-in RAM 7) while referring to the memory (font ROM 6), the mirror character processing means (the functional means for executing the program stored in the program ROM 5 by the CPU 3) is designated by the designating means (illustrated in the figure). Specify the character output mode with the switch or DIP switch on the operation unit By converting the coordinates of the scalable font based on the state and re-expanding the mirror character in the memory, it is possible to specify and output the bitmap that becomes the desired mirror character from the scalable font built in the character output device main body at any time. And Hereinafter, FIG. 2, FIG. 9, and FIG.
Details will be described with reference to 0 and the like. [Third Embodiment] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the coordinate conversion processing operation in the character output device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, (X, Y) indicates the coordinates before conversion of a scalable font, for example, "A", and (X ',
Y ') indicates the coordinates after conversion of the scalable font.

The coordinate conversion from (X, Y) to (X ', Y') is determined by the following equation (1).

X '= (X _min + X _max ) -XY' = Y (1) where X _min is the minimum X coordinate value of the character,
X _max indicates the maximum X coordinate value of the character. By the coordinate conversion, the X coordinates of the left and right objects are obtained.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a second character processing routine in the character output device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

If the data stored in the input interface 4 is a character, and information about what kind of character the character is (1) is obtained, the character is read from the font ROM 6 based on the information of the character. Select (2). Next, it is judged whether or not the mirror character mode is currently designated (3). If NO, the process proceeds to step (5) and thereafter, and YES
Then, the coordinate conversion processing shown in FIG. 9 is executed (4), and the scalable font is converted into a bit map memory (which is secured in the built-in RAM 7) based on the converted scalable font (5). Then
Perform paint processing such as setting the actual print position (6). Then, the next character stored in the built-in RAM 7 is checked to see if there is any character (7). If YES, the process returns to step (1). If NO, the process returns to the next process.

In the above embodiment, the coordinate conversion is performed based on the equation (1) to output the symmetrical mirror characters, but the coordinate conversion is performed based on the equation (2). If configured, various characters can be output, in this case vertically symmetrical characters.

Y '= (Y _min + Y _max ) -Y X' = X (2) where Y _min is the minimum Y coordinate value of the character,
Y _max indicates the maximum Y coordinate value of the character.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a kanji character string or a kana kanji character string designated by the output means is output from the input character information, the search means extracts the kanji character. The corresponding furigana character string is searched from the storage means based on the column or kana-kanji character string, and the furigana character pattern is stored in the bitmap memory while the character generation means refers to the font memory based on the retrieved furigana character string. Since it is configured to be generated above, it is possible to output a ruby character accompanied by a furigana to a desired kanji character string or kana kanji character string designated for furigana output.

When the character generator generates a bitmap corresponding to the input character information in the bitmap memory while referring to the font memory, the bit inversion processing means sets the bitmap stored in the bitmap memory to 1. Since the high-order bit and the low-order bit are inverted for each dot row and the mirror character is re-developed in the bitmap memory, the mirror character of the bit-mapped character can be efficiently output in a short time.

Further, when the bit map corresponding to the input character information is generated on the bit map memory by the character generation means while referring to the font memory, the mirror character processing means is based on the character output mode designation state by the designation means. Since the scalable font is coordinate-converted and the mirror character is re-expanded in the bitmap memory, the bitmap that becomes the desired mirror character can be specified and output from the scalable font built in the character output device body side at any time. it can.

Therefore, it is possible to easily and efficiently output a modified character such as a ruby character or a mirror character corresponding to the received character information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a character output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a printing device to which the character output device shown in FIG. 1 can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing an example of a ruby character search table shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first character processing routine in the character output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character output device showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram showing a bitmap inversion processing state of the bitmap inversion processing means shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a first paint processing routine in the character output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a second paint processing routine in the character output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a coordinate conversion processing operation in the character output device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second character processing routine in the character output device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Storage Means 110 Extraction Means 120 Search Means 130 Character Generation Means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A font memory for storing a bitmap font or a scalable font for generating a bitmap image to be output, and a bitmap memory for storing a bitmap image for passing input character information to an output unit, Kanji string or kana Kanji string that can be output to kanji character string is stored in kanji string code or kana kanji character string code together with character code, and kanji string specified to output kana kana from input character information Alternatively, an extracting means for extracting a kana-kanji character string, a searching means for searching the kanji string extracted by the extracting means or a corresponding furigana character string from the storage means based on the kana-kanji character string, and the searching means Based on the retrieved furigana character string, referring to the font memory, furigana A character output device, comprising: a character generating means for generating a character pattern on the bitmap memory. 2. A bitmap memory for storing a bitmap image for passing input character information to an output unit, and a font memory for storing a bitmap font or a scalable font for generating a bitmap image for output. Character generating means for generating a bitmap corresponding to input character information on the bitmap memory while referring to the font memory, and a dot stored in the bitmap memory by the character generating means for one dot line. And a bit inversion processing unit that inverts the high-order bit and the low-order bit for each and redevelops the mirror character in the bitmap memory. 3. A bitmap memory for storing a bitmap image for passing input character information to an output unit, a font memory for storing a scalable font for generating a bitmap image for output, and an input character. Designation means for designating a character output mode corresponding to information, and mirror character processing means for coordinate-converting the scalable font based on the character output mode designation state by the designating means to re-expand mirror characters in the bitmap memory. A character output device comprising: