JPH07160241A - Character generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a character generator capable of generating the character data of each style of writing having various thickness with small memory capacity by generating data having weights different in the same style of writing from character data constituted by a plurality of outline data. CONSTITUTION:Based on a thick character amount and a small character amount inputted from a keyboard 5, a conversion program stored in a ROM 2 is executed by a CPU 1 and the coordinate value of each outline data is converted. A thick or a thin character pattern is generated by the CPU 1 based on each outline data whose coordinate value is converted and thick or thin characters having different thickness are generated from small character data. Further, based on a thick character amount or a thin character amount inputted from the keyboard 5, a table for storing character data candidates converted by the CPU 1 in the ROM 2 is determined. Based on an outline data corresponding to this determined character data,a thick or a thin character pattern is generated, character data resources are utilized and thereby best character data is generated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character generator having a function of converting a character coded in a vector format into a dot format.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a device for expanding data stored in a vector format into a bit map and outputting a character, coordinate data stored in a ROM or a hard disk is read and the coordinate data is multiplied by an enlargement / reduction rate. After converting to a desired size, it was converted to a dot format to obtain character data.

[0003]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional example, even if the same typeface has different weights, it is necessary to have one coordinate data for each typeface. However, in the case of the Japanese typeface, there are about 8000 characters per typeface, and the capacity of the coordinate data required for that typeface is from 1 MB to 3
It requires about M bytes. Then, if each weight is provided with coordinate data, its capacity becomes enormous.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and generates data of different weights in the same typeface from character data composed of a plurality of contour data of at least one typeface. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a character generator capable of generating character data of various typefaces having various wall thicknesses with a small memory capacity.

[0005]

A first character generating apparatus according to the present invention stores a character data which is composed of a plurality of contour data in which one character intersects, and a memory means which stores the character data. Generating means for generating a character pattern based on each contour data, input means for inputting a bold character amount or thin character amount for thickening or thinning the character pattern, and a bold character amount or a thin character amount input from this input means. And a conversion means for converting the coordinate value of each contour data based on
The generating means is configured to generate a thick or thin character pattern based on each contour data coordinate-converted by the converting means.

In the second character generating apparatus according to the present invention, the converting means refers to the coordinate values of two points adjacent to the target coordinate to determine 1
It is configured to determine one transformation coordinate.

In the third character generating device according to the present invention, the converting means is constructed so that the bold or fine character amount, which is input to each of the extracted contour data, can be independently changed in the x direction and the y direction. It was done.

In a fourth character generator according to the present invention, the generating means is configured to output any one of a bitmap font, contour coordinate data and gray scale font based on each converted contour data. Is.

A fifth character generator according to the present invention stores a plurality of character data having different wall thicknesses, which is composed of a plurality of contour data with which one character intersects, and a memory means for storing the character data. Generating means for generating character patterns having different boldface amounts based on each contour data, input means for inputting a boldface amount or thinface amount for thickening or thinning the character pattern, and a boldface amount input from this input means Alternatively, it has a determining means for determining any character data candidate to be converted based on the fine character amount, and a converting means for converting the coordinate value of each contour data corresponding to the character data determined by this determining means, The generating means is configured to generate a thick or thin character pattern based on each contour data coordinate-converted by the converting means.

In the sixth character generator according to the present invention, the deciding means is constituted so as to convert the character data having a thickness amount close to the bold character amount or the thin character amount inputted from the input means into a character data candidate. It is a thing.

[0011]

In the first aspect of the invention, the converting means converts the coordinate value of each contour data based on the bold or fine character amount input from the input means, and the generating means based on each coordinate-converted contour data. Generates a thick or thin character pattern to generate a bold or thin character having a different thickness from a small amount of character data.

In the second invention, the conversion means determines one conversion coordinate by referring to the coordinate values of two points adjacent to the target coordinate, and generates a balanced bold or fine character pattern. It is a thing.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the converting means converts the extracted outline data into the input bold or fine character amount by x.
The character pattern of bold type or thin type is generated by utilizing the characteristics of each typeface by independently changing the direction and the y direction.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the generating means is a bit map font based on each of the converted contour data.
Either the outline coordinate data or the grayscale font is output, and the bold or fine character data is supplied to various output means in an appropriate data format.

In the fifth invention, one of the character data candidates to be converted by the determining means is determined based on the bold character amount or the fine character amount input from the input means, and each contour corresponding to the determined character data. The converting means converts the coordinate values of the data, and the generating means generates a thick or thin character pattern based on each coordinate-converted contour data, and utilizes the character data resource to obtain the best bold or thin character data. It is what is generated.

In the sixth aspect of the invention, the deciding means is a stricter bold or thin character data as a character data candidate for converting the character data of the thickness amount close to the bold or thin character amount inputted from the input means. Is generated.

[0017]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The present invention may be achieved in a system composed of a plurality of devices or in an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention is also applied to the case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a first system to which the character generator according to the present invention can be applied.

The system may be a Japanese word processor, a workstation or a computer system.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a CPU, that is, a central processing unit, which performs control of the entire apparatus and arithmetic processing. Reference numeral 2 denotes a ROM, that is, a read-only memory, which is a storage area for the system boot program, character pattern data, and the like. Reference numeral 3 denotes a RAM, that is, a random access memory, which is a data storage area without use restrictions, and is an area in which each program and data are loaded and executed for each various processing. Four
Is a KBC, that is, a keyboard control unit, which receives key input data from 5 KB, which is a keyboard, and a CPU
Transmit to 1. Reference numeral 6 is a CRTC, that is, a display control unit, and 7 is a CRT, which is a display device, which receives data from the CRTC 6 and displays it. 9 is F
An external storage device such as D, that is, a floppy disk device or HD, that is, a hard disk device, stores programs and data, and refers to them or loads them into the RAM 3 at the time of execution as needed.

Reference numeral 8 is a DKC, that is, a disk control unit, which controls data transmission and the like, and 10 is a PR.
TC, a printer control unit, and 11 a PRT, a printer device. 12 is a system bus,
It should serve as a data path between the above-mentioned components.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a second system to which the character generator according to the present invention can be applied. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The system may be a laser beam printer, a bubble jet printer, or an output device such as a thermal transfer printer.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 is a CPU, that is, a central processing unit, which controls the entire device and performs arithmetic processing and the like.

Reference numeral 22 is a ROM, that is, a read-only memory, which includes a system startup program and a character pattern.
A storage area for data and the like. Reference numeral 23 is a RAM, that is, a random access memory, which is a data storage area without use restrictions, and is an area in which each program and data are loaded and executed for each various processing.

In the character generator configured as described above, the conversion program stored in the ROM 2 is stored in the CPU based on the bold or thin character amount input from the keyboard 5.
1 performs the conversion of the coordinate values of each contour data as described later, and the CP is converted based on each coordinate-transformed contour data.
U1 generates a thick or thin character pattern to generate bold or thin characters having different wall thicknesses from a small amount of character data.

Further, the CPU 1 has a function 2 adjacent to the target coordinate.
One conversion coordinate is determined by referring to the coordinate value of a point, and a well-balanced bold or thin character pattern is generated.

Further, the CPU 1 independently changes the input boldface amount or fine letter amount in each of the extracted contour data in the x direction and the y direction, and makes use of the characteristics of each typeface in bold or thin characters. A pattern is generated.

The CPU 1 also uses a bitmap font, contour coordinate data, and
One of the grayscale fonts is output and the bold or thin character data is supplied to various output means in an appropriate data format. Further, one of the character data candidates to be converted by the CPU 1 is determined from the table stored in the ROM 2 based on the bold or thin character amount input from the keyboard 5, and the coordinates of the contour data corresponding to the determined character data are determined. A value is converted, a thick or thin character pattern is generated based on each coordinate-converted contour data, and character data resources are utilized to generate the best bold or thin character data.

Further, the CPU 1 generates stricter bold or thin character data as a character data candidate for converting character data having a thickness close to the bold or thin amount input from the keyboard 5. .

Next, details of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a first character generating method in the character generating device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (16) indicate each step.

The example described here is an example of generating data of different weights by using the data when one typeface having different weights exists in the system.

In step (1), input parameters are received. Here, the input parameters include a character code of a character to be output, a font, a weight, an output size, an output format, and the like. The character code is determined according to which character code system the target system such as JIS code, shift JIS code, EUC code, UNI code is defined in advance. The typeface is selected from the data such as Mincho typeface, Gothic type, and Maru Gothic type that are built in the system in advance or added as an option. The weight is information on the line thickness of the typeface, and here, information such as extra fine, fine, medium, thick, and extra thick is given. The output size is information on how large the font data is actually output. The output format is an output data format of a desired font, and a request such as contour coordinate data output or bitmap output is issued.

Next, in step (2), the coordinate data of the target character is read. This data is ROM, RAM,
It is stored in advance on a hard disk, floppy disk, etc., and is searched for from the typeface information and character code information of the input information fetched in step (1) and read as necessary. The input information fetched at this time is the coordinate information obtained by extracting the characteristic points of the contour of the character as shown in FIG. 4, and the attributes such as the straight line data / curve data discrimination flag and the contour start point / end point flag for each point. Have information. The interpolation formula of the curve data handled here may be a quadratic or cubic B-spline curve or a quadratic or cubic Bézier curve. Which interpolation formula is used is determined in advance. .

The minimum value of the coordinates indicating the character frame is represented by 0, and the maximum value is represented by 800 or the like. It also has offset information from the origin of the character to the reference point of the frame of each stroke. Then, in step (3), the loaded coordinate data is thickened / decreased according to the weight information of the input parameter.
Perform thinning processing. The processing at this time will be described in detail later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12, but the result of this thickening / thinning is converted into the thickening / thinning coordinates of each contour line as shown in FIG.

At this time, the coordinate points after the thickening / thinning processing correspond to each other one by one, and the attribute flag of each point does not change. Then, in step (4), the thickened / narrowed coordinate data obtained in step (3) is enlarged / reduced according to the output size of the input parameter. The calculation method at this time is that the required output size is (Ax, Ay), and the coordinate values obtained in step (3) are (x, Ay).
y), the respective coordinate values after the scaling process are (X,
Y), the size of the stored character frame is (Mx, My)
Then, (X, Y) = (x × Ax / Mx, y × Ay / My). The above calculation is performed for all the coordinate sequences of one character. At this time, the attribute flag at each coordinate point obtained in step (3) does not change. Then, in step (5), determination is made according to the output format of the input parameter, and if the output format is contour coordinate data output, the process proceeds to step (6) and the scaled coordinate points obtained in step (4) and Returns the coordinate point attribute data string to the requester.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the coordinate output. If bitmap output is requested in step (5), the process proceeds to step (7). Steps (7) to (13) are processes for actually creating bitmap data from coordinate data. In step (7), it is determined whether the target coordinate data is a straight line or a curved line.

When the target coordinate data is a straight line, the coordinate point is set as the start point of the straight line and the next coordinate point is set as the end point of the straight line, and the process proceeds to step (8). If the target data is curve data, the process from the coordinate point to the coordinate data to which the curve end flag is added is regarded as curve data, and the process proceeds to step (9). In step (8), a process for generating a straight line is performed. The straight line generating method at this time is generated by DDA. Then, the coordinate data generated by the DDA is stored in the filling coordinate table as shown in FIG.

The filling coordinate table shown in FIG. 7 stores the start coordinate / stop coordinate of the x coordinate for each y coordinate of the output area. When there are a plurality of x-coordinates for the same y-coordinate by the DDA, the x-coordinates are set so as to be the outermost part with respect to the contour of the stroke. In step (9), the curve data is converted into a set of short straight lines (short vectors).

FIG. 8 shows how to convert a cubic Bezier curve into a set of short vectors. Points A, B, C,
D is curve data (third-order Bezier curve constituent points) after coordinate conversion obtained in step (3), and points a, b, and c are first obtained from these points. Point a is the midpoint between points A and B, point b is the midpoint between points B and C, and point c is the midpoint between points C and D.

Then, the points x, y, and z are obtained.
The point x is the midpoint between the points a and b, the point z is the midpoint between the points b and c, and the point y is the midpoint between the points x and z. Then the point sequence Aaxy
Is a new cubic Bezier constituent point, and the point sequence yzc
D is another cubic Bezier constituent point. Then, each Bezier constituent point is subdivided by the same operation, and when a certain criterion is satisfied, the subdivision is stopped at that time. Then, the constituent point sequence of the cubic Bezier created up to that point becomes a set of short vectors.

Then, in step (10), it is stored in the filling coordinate table based on the set of short vectors obtained in step (9). The storage method for this table is exactly the same as the method shown in step (8), and is repeated until processing is completed for all short vectors.

Then, in step (11), it is judged whether or not the coordinate data of one contour are all finished,
If the process is completed, the process proceeds to step (13). If the process is not completed, the process proceeds to step (12). In step (12), the pointer to the current coordinate data is updated to process the next data. If it is a straight line, the pointer is updated to the next coordinate data, and if it is curve data, the pointer is updated to the end coordinate point of the curve.

Then, returning to step (7), a new straight line / curve determination is made and a dot is made. Step (1
In 3), it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all contour data for one character. If the processing has been completed for all contours, the process proceeds to step (15) and the processing must be completed. If so, proceed to step (14). And
In step (14), since one contour is completed, the pointer is advanced to the beginning of the next contour and the procedure returns to step (7). In step (15), since the dot processing on the two planes has been completed for all the coordinate data, as shown in FIG. 9, steps (8) and (10) are performed.
The non-zero winding method is applied to the x-coordinate for each y-coordinate stored in the paint coordinate table. This method scans from the left side of each scan line, increments the flag value at the start point, and decrements at the end point.
Then, if the value of the flag is not 0, it is set to 1 during that period and the filling process is performed.

Then, in step (16), the data for one character obtained in step (15) is returned to the area designated by the requesting side, and the process ends.

Next, the embodiment of the thickening / thinning process in step (3) of FIG. 3 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the thickening / thinning process according to the present invention, the thickening / thinning parameters for the stroke are changed to change the respective coordinates of the contour points.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a thickening / thinning processing procedure in the character generator according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

In step (1), the parameter for the thickness of the contour is determined according to the weight. The parameters that determine the thickness independently have values in the x direction and the y direction with respect to the contour, and the horizontal line thickening amount and the vertical line thickening amount are independently managed. For example, when the Mincho body is thickened as shown in FIG. 11, the horizontal line of the Mincho body does not need to be thick, but the vertical line needs to be thickened. Therefore, in the x direction and the y direction, This is because it is necessary to set different values for each. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, in the case of the round Gothic body, the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are thickened by substantially the same amount. Therefore, it is necessary to change the value to be thickened for each typeface. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the standard value data from the center of the line to the contour for the horizontal line and the vertical line in each typeface and weight are stored in a table in advance, and the typeface and weight of the input target coordinate data and the output are output. From the weight of the desired coordinate data, the thickening amount of the contour is determined for the x direction and the y direction, respectively. At this time, the thickening process is performed when the thickening amount has a positive value, and the thinning process is performed when the thickening amount has a negative value.

In step (2), the offset information of each stroke is changed according to the thickness parameter.
This calculation method is obtained by subtracting the x and y values of the thickness parameter from the x and y coordinates of the offset. Then, between step (3) and step (7), thickening / thinning processing is performed on all coordinate point sequences of the constituent points of one stroke. In step (3), first, the target point to be processed is fetched. Then, in step (4), points on both sides of the target point are captured.

Then, in step (5), an actual thickening process is performed. As shown in FIG. 14, when the target point is B, the point immediately before the target point is A, and the point next to the target point is C, the angle forming the vector AB and the vector BC is 2 as shown in FIG.
With respect to the dividing direction, if the contour direction is counterclockwise, it moves to the right side, and if the contour direction is clockwise, it moves to the left side, and the amount of movement is x determined in step (1).
It is decided to be the hypotenuse depending on the thickening amount and the y thickening amount. Since the coordinate value obtained at this time is the coordinate value for the frame of one stroke, the offset coordinate obtained in step (2) is added to obtain the coordinate value from the origin of the character.

Then, in step (6), if processing has been performed on all coordinate points for one contour, the process proceeds to step (8). If there are still contour points to be processed, the process proceeds to step (7). Then, the pointer is advanced to the next contour point and the thickening process is performed again. In step (8),
It is determined whether or not processing has been performed on all contours for one character, and if all processing has been performed, the process proceeds to step (9). If there is a contour to be processed, the pointer is advanced to the next contour. Perform the thickening process again.

Then, when the thickening processing is performed on all the contour coordinate points, the process proceeds to step (9). In step (9), the thickening / thinning process causes the entire frame of the character to be large in the thickening process and small in the thinning process as shown in FIG.

Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the size of the entire frame of the original character. The enlargement / reduction amount is thickened by twice the thickening amount (negative value in the case of thinning) of the contour obtained in step (1).

Therefore, the X width of the original character frame is Bx, the horizontal value of the thickening amount of the contour is Fx, the Y width is By, and the vertical value of the thickening amount of the contour is Fy. To (x,
y), where the adjusted coordinates are (X, Y), (X, Y) = ((x + Fx) × Bx / (Bx + Fx ×
2), (y + Fy) × By / (By + Fy × 2)). Then, by performing this calculation on all the coordinate point sequences for one character, FIG.
The thickening process shown in is ended. [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The explanation here is that when you request a certain typeface,
This is an example when two or more same typefaces exist in the system.

At this time, it is important that which of the weighted fonts to process the requested weight is based on. Therefore, if the typeface of the reference weight is determined, the subsequent weight conversion processing can be performed in the same manner as that shown in the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, only the method of selecting the reference weight will be described here, and other than that, Omit it.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the thick parameter selection processing procedure in the character generator according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

In step (1), it is necessary to retrieve which weight of which typeface is stored in the storage device. Therefore, the data existence information is stored in the table by referring to the header information stored in the header portion of each typeface.
In the example of the table data shown in FIG. 17, it can be seen that the weights 3 and 7 of Mincho type, the weight 5 of round Gothic type, the weight 6 of square Gothic type, the weights 4 and 7 of cursive type are stored.

Then, in step (2), it is first determined whether or not the requested weight information is already stored in the storage device such as the ROM or the hard disk device. At this time, the table created in step (1) is searched to find out whether the data is stored in the storage device based on the requested typeface and weight information. If the requested weight information is stored in the storage device, the process proceeds to step (3). If not, the process proceeds to step (4). Step (3) is an example when the requested weight information is already stored in the storage device. At this time, since it is not necessary to perform the thickening / thinning process, the coordinate data is read from the storage device and the coordinate data is read. Then, scaling is performed according to the output size, a bitmap font is created, and the processing ends.

In step (4), the requested weight information is not stored in the storage device.
The characters of the requested weight are output after performing the thinning processing. Therefore, it is necessary to select the data to be the source of the thickening / thinning processing. Generally, the thickening process causes less deterioration in quality than the thinning process. Therefore, here, it is determined whether or not the weight information smaller than the requested weight is stored in the storage device. Judgment is made based on the table created in 1).

Then, if the weight information smaller than the requested weight is stored in the storage device, the process proceeds to step (5), and if the requested weight information is not stored in the storage device, the step (6). Proceed to.

For example, when the Mincho body of the weight 5 is to be output, since the Mincho body of the weight 3 exists in the storage device, the process proceeds to step (5), and when the square Gothic body of the weight 3 is to be output, Since there is no smaller weight angular Gothic font, the process proceeds to step (6).

In step (5), the typeface of the weight which is the source of the thickening process is selected, and the parameters of the thickening process in the x and y directions are set. In the case of the output request of the Mincho body of the weight 5, since the Mincho body of the weight 3 exists, the contours of the weight 3 and the weight 5 are in the x direction, y.
Set the difference in direction as a thick parameter. In step (6), the typeface of the weight that is the source of the thinning processing is selected, and the contour of the thinning processing is selected in the x direction and the y direction.
Set the direction parameter.

In the case of the output request of the square Gothic body of the weight 3, since the square Gothic body of the weight 6 exists, the difference between the contours of the weight 3 and the weight 6 in the x direction and the y direction is set as a thinning parameter. After setting the thick or thin parameters in steps (5) and (6) as described above, the processing is performed as described in the first embodiment, and the character of the desired weight is output.

Here, it has been described whether or not there is data of a typeface whose weight is smaller than that of the target character, but it may be determined whether or not there is data of a typeface whose weight is larger than that of the target character. In addition, weight data closest to the weight of the target character may be selected and the weight conversion process may be performed based on the data. [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Here, it will be explained that the thickening processing described in the first and second embodiments can be applied to a gray scale font.

The value of each dot of the bitmap font is 0
In contrast to the binary font of 1 or 1, the gray scale font is a multi-value font in which each dot can handle multi-value such as 0 to 3, 0 to 15, or 0 to 255. As a method for generating this grayscale font, generally, as shown in FIG.
When outputting a 2-gradation grayscale font, in the vertical direction of the output size request in step (4) of FIG.
The horizontal direction is multiplied by n, and a bitmap font is created according to the output size.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the pixel is divided into vertical and horizontal n bits, and depending on how many bits 1 are included in each n × n divided rectangular area, a multivalued value for one dot of the gray scale is obtained. Is determined. Therefore, when the first embodiment is applied to a grayscale font,
It becomes like the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a first character generation method in the character generation device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (18) indicate each step.

This flow chart is almost the same as the flow chart for bitmap font generation or contour coordinate output described in the first embodiment, and since each step is almost the same as the step in FIG. 3,
Here, only the steps where the processing is different by generating the gray scale font will be described.

The different steps are step (1),
Step (4), steps (16) and (17) are additional.

In step (1), the input parameters are fetched, and gray scale information is added to the input parameters. Parameters are character code, typeface,
It includes weight information, character output size, gray level, output format, output device characteristics, and the like. The character code is J
IS code, shift JIS code, EUC code, UN
It depends on which character code system the target system such as the I code is defined in advance.
The typeface is selected from the data that the system such as Mincho, Gothic, and Maru Gothic has built-in or the data added as an option.

The content of the data at this time is exactly the same as the data at the time of generating the bitmap font, in which special data for generating the gray scale font is stored. The weight information is the line thickness information of the typeface, and here, information such as extra fine, thin, medium, thick, and extra thick is given.

The character output size is information about how large the font data is to be output when the font data is actually output, and the sizes in the x and y directions are required. The gray level is information on how many gradations a grayscale font is created when generating a grayscale font. This is set according to the characteristics of the output device, such as 4 gradations, 16 gradations, and 256 gradations.

The output format is an output data format of a desired font and includes contour coordinate data output, bitmap font output, gray scale font output, 1-dot expression format, and the like.

The expression format of 1 dot is, for example, in the case of a gray scale font, one dot is expressed by 1 byte, or 2 dots or 4 dots is expressed by 1 byte.

The characteristics of the output device are information such as how to determine the gray value when creating a grayscale font to obtain the most optimal grayscale font for the target output device.

In step (4), the coordinate data read in step (2) is enlarged or reduced depending on the output size and the gray level of the gray scale font. At this time, the calculation formulas for scaling are as follows: the required output size is (Ax, Ay), the gray level is n, and the coordinate values obtained in step (3) are (x, y),
If the respective coordinate values after the enlargement / reduction processing are (X, Y) and the size of the character frame of the stored data is (Mx, My), (X, Y) = (x × √n × Ax / Mx , Y × √n × Ay / My).

Step (16), and step (1
In 7), a process of creating a grayscale font from the bitmap font created in step (15) is performed.

First, in step (16), a gray scale conversion table is selected according to the characteristics of the output device obtained as an input parameter. As shown in FIG. 20, the grayscale font conversion table stores values for expressing the characteristics of the output device in advance with a 4 × 4 mask in the case of 16 gradations.

The example shown in FIG. 20A is an example in which the luminance characteristics of the output device are all uniform. In the case of FIG. 20B, the brightness is high in the central part of the dot and low in the peripheral part. In addition, the case of FIG. 20C is an example in which the luminance is high in the peripheral portion of the dot and low in the central portion. From these, the table most suitable for the brightness characteristics of the output device is selected.

Then, in step (17), a grayscale font is created based on the table selected in step (16). This situation will be described with reference to FIG. 21 as an example.

FIG. 21 shows the bitmap font obtained in step (15), the vertical and horizontal sizes of which are each √n times the gray level n. Therefore, divide vertical and horizontal by √n,
Extract the squares of × √n, pay attention to one of the squares,
The value of the bit of the cell and the value of the cell of the table obtained in step (16) are multiplied by the corresponding cells.

Then, by taking the sum of the results, the gray scale value of the target dot is obtained. The example of FIG. 21 is an example of outputting a grayscale font of 16 gradations, and is an example of the case where the table of FIG. 20B is selected for a 4 × 4 grid. By performing this operation for all squares, a grayscale font as shown in FIG. 22 is generated.

Then, in step (18), a grayscale font is stored according to the output format and the data is returned to the request side. At this time, if the output format requires 1 byte for 1 dot, the value of each square is packed into 1 byte and stored. If the request is to pack two adjacent points into one byte, one dot is packed into four bits to store the data, and the data is returned to the requesting side to end the processing.

[0086]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, the converting means converts the coordinate value of each contour data based on the bold character amount or the fine character amount input from the input means, and the generating means is thick or thin based on each coordinate-converted contour data. By generating a character pattern, it is possible to generate bold or thin characters having different wall thicknesses from a small amount of character data.

According to the second invention, the conversion means determines one converted coordinate by referring to the coordinate values of two points adjacent to the target coordinate, and generates a balanced bold or fine character pattern. can do.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the converting means changes the input bold-face amount or fine-letter amount of each of the extracted contour data independently in the x-direction and the y-direction to determine the characteristics of each typeface. It is possible to generate a bold or thin character pattern that is utilized.

According to the fourth invention, the generating means outputs any one of the bitmap font, the contour coordinate data and the gray scale font based on the converted contour data, and is suitable for various output means. It can supply bold or thin character data in the data format.

According to the fifth aspect, any character data candidate to be converted by the determining means is determined based on the bold or thin character amount input from the input means, and each character data candidate corresponding to the determined character data is determined. The converting means converts the coordinate value of the contour data, and the generating means generates a thick or thin character pattern based on each coordinate-converted contour data, and utilizes the character data resource to produce the best bold or thin character data. Can be generated.

According to the sixth invention, the deciding means is a stricter bold or thin character as a character data candidate for converting the character data of the thickness amount close to the bold amount or the thin character amount inputted from the input means. Data can be generated.

Therefore, it is possible to generate character data of each typeface having various wall thicknesses with a small memory capacity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a first system to which a character generation device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a second system to which the character generation device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first character generation method in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conversion source outline font in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an outline font after conversion in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing coordinate output data of an outline font after conversion in the character generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state of creating a paint table from coordinate data in the character generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state of conversion of a cubic Bezier curve into a short vector set in the character generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a bitmap font generation process in the character generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a thickening / thinning processing procedure in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating inner / outer contour determination preprocessing in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a result of a Gothic body thickening process in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing first table data for determining a thick parameter in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a thickening processing state in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a frame size correction state associated with thickening or thinning processing in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a thick parameter selection processing procedure in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing second table data for determining a thick parameter in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a bitmap for creating a grayscale font in the character generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a second character generation method in the character generation device of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a grayscale font conversion table in the character generation device of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a grayscale font conversion process in the character generator of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a grayscale font conversion state in the character generation device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 5 keyboard 6 display control unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing character data composed of a plurality of contour data at which one character intersects, and generating means for generating a character pattern based on the plurality of contour data stored in the storage means. An input unit for inputting a bold or thin character amount for thickening or thinning the character pattern and a converting unit for converting the coordinate value of each contour data based on the bold or thin character amount input from the input unit. A character generating device, wherein the generating means generates a thick or thin character pattern based on each contour data coordinate-converted by the converting means. 2. The character generating device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion means determines one conversion coordinate by referring to coordinate values of two points adjacent to the target coordinate. 3. The character generator according to claim 1, wherein the conversion means independently changes the amount of bold characters or the amount of thin characters input to each of the extracted contour data in the x direction and the y direction. . 4. The character generating device according to claim 1, wherein the generating means outputs any one of a bitmap font, contour coordinate data, and a grayscale font based on the converted contour data. 5. A storage unit for storing a plurality of character data having different wall thicknesses, each of which is composed of a plurality of contour data with which one character intersects, and a bold character amount different based on each contour data stored in the storage unit. Generating means for generating a character pattern, input means for inputting a bold or thin character amount for thickening or thinning the character pattern, and conversion based on the bold or thin character amount input from this input means Of the character data candidates, and conversion means for converting the coordinate value of each contour data corresponding to the character data determined by this determination means, wherein the generation means are coordinate-converted by the conversion means. A character generator which generates a thick or thin character pattern based on each contour data. 6. The character generator according to claim 5, wherein the determining means determines as character data candidates for converting the character data having a thickness amount close to the bold character amount or the thin character amount input from the input means. .