JPH08221050A - Information processor with character processing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a sufficient display speed even in a less cache memory with simple cache memory control by storing only the non-KANJI (chainese character) data in the cache memory related to an information processor with a character processing function. CONSTITUTION: This processor is provided with an outline font driver 8, the cache memory 9, an auxiliary storage 4, etc., and the outline font driver 8 takes out only the non-KANJI outline font data from the font file 11 of the auxiliary storage 4 in start processing to store them in the cache memory 9. Further, at this time, non-KANJI cache control information for retrieving the cached non-KANJI outline font data is formed from the non-KANJI outline font data stored in the cache memory 9 to be stored in the cache memory 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in various information processing apparatuses (computers, etc.) such as personal computers, word processors, workstations, etc., and in particular, outline font drivers convert outline font data into bit image data. The present invention relates to an information processing device with a character processing function that performs conversion (rasterization) output processing of character data.

In recent years, in information processing devices such as computers, GUI (graphical user interface: a system of user interface that enables visual and intuitive operation using not only characters but also icons) and MMI (ma)
n machine interface) is improved and WYSIWY
There is a strong demand for enhancement of the visual environment represented by the G (what you see is what you get) environment.

With respect to character fonts, outlines of character fonts are rapidly being developed so that characters of various sizes can be used. Comparing outline fonts and dot fonts has the following advantages and disadvantages.

That is, the outline font can output characters of various sizes neatly, but the display speed tends to be poor. Therefore, today's outline font drivers (outline rasterizers) use caching technology such as storing character data that has been rasterized (converted into a bit image) in the cache memory or storing font data read from a font file in the cache memory. It is used to improve the display speed.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 6 to 8 are views showing conventional examples.
6 to 8, 2 is a device main body, 3 is an input device, 4 is an auxiliary storage device, and 6 is an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “O”).
S)), 7 is a memory, 8 is an outline font driver, 9 is a cache memory, 10 is a bitmap area, and 11 is a font file.

§1: Description of information processing apparatus--see FIG. 6 FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional apparatus. Conventionally, personal computers, word processors, workstations and the like have been known as information processing apparatuses having an outline font driver and having a character processing function. Such an information processing device is composed of a device body 2, an input device 3, an auxiliary storage device 4, and the like.

The apparatus body 2 is provided with an OS 6, a memory 7, a cache memory 9, an outline font driver 8 and the like, and a bit map area 10 is provided in a part of the memory 7.

The auxiliary storage device 4 is composed of, for example, a hard disk device, and a font file is stored in the storage medium (disk). And
The font file stores outline font data including "non-kanji" and "kanji" described below.

§2: Description of character code and font file--see FIG. 7 FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a conventional character code. When characters are processed by a computer, each character is given a code. This is called a character code. The character code used for Japanese requires at least 2 bytes.

The character code may be represented by a hexadecimal number or a decimal number. Here, an explanation will be given by taking a punctuation notation that can represent a character code in decimal notation as an example.
For example, JIS is 3021 (16)
Although it is defined as a decimal number, 16 wards and 1 point is written as a ward point.

A list of a certain character set according to codes is called a "character code table". In the font file 11 stored in the auxiliary storage device 4, characters are usually arranged and stored in this character code order. The character code shown is J
The IS kanji code is represented by ward points.

In FIG. 7, the vertical direction is a section and the horizontal direction is a point. Punctuation marks, symbols, letters, numbers, hiragana, katakana, etc. are stored in the first to eighth wards, and this range is called "non-kanji". On the other hand, from 16th ward to 47
The first level kanji is stored in the ward, and the second level kanji is stored in the 48th to 84th wards. In particular, this range is called "Kanji".

§3: Description of Character Output Processing The character output processing will be described below with reference to FIG. First,
When the OS 6 issues a character output request to the outline font driver 8 according to an instruction from the input device 3, the outline font driver 8 starts a character output process.

In this case, the outline font driver 8 receives a command (including information such as a character code and a typeface name) from the OS 6 and determines whether or not the outline font data of the character requested by the command exists in the cache memory 9. I will check.

As a result, when the outline font data is stored in the cache memory 9, the outline font data of the character is taken out and is expanded in the bitmap area 10 (bit image expansion).

However, the data is cache memory 9
If it is not stored in the font file 11 of the auxiliary storage device 4, the outline font data of the character is stored.
, And bitmap expansion (bit image expansion) is performed on the bitmap area 10. At this time, the outline font data extracted from the font file 11 is stored in the cache memory 9.

Through the above processing, the outline font driver 8 develops a bitmap of the output-requested character in the bitmap area 10. After that, the OS 6 outputs the image data of the bitmap area 10 to the display for display, or outputs it to the printer for printing.

§4: Description of data storage method in cache memory--see FIG. 8 FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of data in a conventional cache memory.
As described above, the outline font driver 8 performs the output processing of the character requested to be output while caching, but when storing the outline font data in the cache memory 9, the outline font data is stored in the following state.

That is, the outline font driver 8 reads out outline font data from the font file 11 of the auxiliary storage device 4 and cache memory 9
When storing in, the information is added for each character, and it is stored in character units. For example, as shown, for each character,
Information on each character such as a pointer, a font name, a character code, and a size is added to the cache memory 9 and stored.

Therefore, in order to find the corresponding character from the cache memory 9, the font name is checked, the size (size) of the character is checked, and so on. There was a need.

Furthermore, when the cache memory 9 is updated according to the frequency of use, management of the cache memory 9 and retrieval of outline font data from the cache memory 9 become complicated. Further, when the cache memory 9 cannot be sufficiently secured (when the area is small), the number of cases in which the requested font data is not cached in the cache memory 9 increases, and the time for searching the font data from the cache memory 9 is long. Was becoming.

[0022]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned conventional device has the following problems. (1): For example, in an environment where the memory is relatively small, such as a personal computer, a cache area for the outline font driver is often not sufficiently secured.
In order to obtain a sufficient display speed effect even in such a limited cache memory area, a complicated cache memory management mechanism such as preferentially storing frequently used characters is required.

(2) If the outline font driver manages the complicated cache memory as described above in order to improve the display speed, the time required for the management becomes long. Therefore, if the cache memory area is insufficient, the display speed may not be improved.

That is, if the process of storing the frequently used characters in the cache memory with priority is performed, the number of times the outline font data is read from the auxiliary storage device increases, and the bit expansion speed becomes slow. As a result, the display speed also becomes slow.

(3): When the outline font data is stored in the cache memory, each character such as a pointer, a font name, a character code, a size, etc. is distinguished without distinguishing kanji, hiragana, katakana, symbols, etc. It was stored with the character information added.

Therefore, in order to find the corresponding character from the cache memory, it is necessary to check the typeface name, check the character size (size), and so on for all the stored characters. was there.

Furthermore, when the cache memory is updated according to the frequency of use, management of the cache memory and retrieval of outline font data from the cache memory become complicated. In addition, if the cache memory cannot be secured sufficiently (when the area is small), the number of cases where the requested font data is not cached in the cache memory increases, and the time to search for the font data from the cache memory is wasted and the reverse. There was also a case where the performance was deteriorated.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem by storing only non-kanji data such as hiragana, katakana, letters, numbers and symbols in the cache memory, and not storing kanji in the cache memory. An object of the present invention is to enable a sufficient display speed and printing speed even with a small cache memory area by simple management of the cache memory.

[0029]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has an information processing device with a character processing function configured as follows.

(1): In an information processing device with a character processing function,
An auxiliary storage device 4, an OS 6, a memory 7, an outline font driver 8, a cache memory 9 and the like are provided. The memory 7 is provided with a bitmap area 10 for the outline font driver 8 to develop a bitmap of characters. In this case, the auxiliary storage device 4 stores in advance a font file 11 having outline font data of non-Kanji and Kanji.

The information processing apparatus with the character processing function is constructed as follows. (2): Outline font driver 8 for processing outline font data, auxiliary storage device 4 in which font files containing outline font data of Kanji and non-Kanji characters are stored in advance, and a cache for cache processing of character data In an information processing apparatus having a character processing function, which is provided with a memory 9, the outline font driver 8 extracts the outline font data of a character output from the OS 6 from the cache memory 9 or the auxiliary storage device 4 and converts it into bit image data. The outline font driver 8 uses the font file 11 in the auxiliary storage device 4 in the startup process.
A non-Kanji data storage means for extracting only non-Kanji outline font data from the cache and storing it in the cache memory 9 is provided.

(3): In the information processing apparatus having the character processing function of (2), the outline font driver 8 is
From the non-Kanji outline font data stored in the cache memory 9 by the non-Kanji data storage unit, non-Kanji character cache control information for retrieving cached non-Kanji outline font data is created and stored in the cache memory 9. The cache control information storage means is provided.

(4): In the information processing apparatus with character processing function according to (2), the non-Kanji data storage means stores hiragana, katakana, English characters, when storing non-Kanji outline font data in the cache memory 9. It has a function to store non-Kanji data including numbers and symbols.

(5): In the information processing apparatus having the character processing function of (3), the outline font driver 8 is
Based on the character output request, the non-Kanji character cache control information of the cache memory 9 is referred to determine whether or not the requested output character exists in the cache memory 9, and if there is, an outline font of the character from the cache memory 9 is determined. It is provided with a character output control means for taking out data, developing a bitmap, and outputting it to the bitmap area 10.

(6): In the information processing apparatus with the character processing function of (3), the cache control information storage means, when creating the non-Kanji cache control information, caches of a font name, a cache range, and an entry point. It has a function to create including control information.

[0036]

The operation of the present invention based on the above construction will be described with reference to FIG. The outline font driver 8 reads only the data of non-Kanji characters from the font file 11 of the auxiliary storage device 4 and stores it in the cache memory 9 during the startup processing. In this case, the hiragana, katakana, and
Stored in the cache memory 9 as non-Kanji character data for a section including alphabetic characters, numbers, and symbols.

Further, the outline font driver 8
Creates non-Kanji character cache control information including a typeface name, cache range, and entry point for the non-Kanji character stored in the cache memory 9 and stores it in the cache memory 9.

Thereafter, in normal operation, when the OS 6 issues a character output request to the outline font driver 8 by a command (including a font name, character code, and other information), the outline font driver 8
By referring to the non-Kanji character cache control information stored in the cache memory 9, it is determined whether or not the character requested from the typeface name and the character code is stored in the cache memory 9.

As a result, if the requested character is in the cache memory 9 (in the case of non-Kanji character), the outline font data of the character is fetched from the cache memory 9, bit map expanded and output to the bit map area 10. .

However, if the requested character does not exist in the cache memory 9 (in the case of Kanji), the outline font driver 8 extracts the outline font data from the font file 11 in the auxiliary storage device 4, expands it into a bit map, and bit-maps it. Output to the map area 10.
In this case, the outline font data (Kanji data) read from the font file 11 is not stored in the cache memory 9.

The data (image data) bit-developed in the bitmap area 10 as described above is the OS6.
Is read out and transferred to the display 13 or the printer 14 for display or printing and output.

By the way, in general, the non-kanji characters including hiragana and katakana are the same or more than the kanji characters as the character types that make up the actual Japanese sentence. Therefore, in the present invention, paying attention to the above points, only non-kanji characters including hiragana and katakana are stored in the cache memory 9, so that simple cache memory management and a small cache memory area are sufficient. The character output speed is improved.

Through the above processing, the outline font driver 8 can take out the non-Kanji character requested by the OS 6 from the cache memory 9 and develop the bitmap at high speed. Therefore, by providing the cache memory 9 for non-Kanji characters, it is possible to improve the speed of display or printout of a normal Japanese sentence even if it does not have a cache management function such as replacement of font data.

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 2 to 5 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 2 to 5, the same parts as those in FIGS. 6 to 8 are designated by the same reference numerals. Further, 13 is a display and 14 is a printer.

§1: Description of information processing device--see FIG. 2 FIG. 2 is a device configuration diagram of an embodiment. The present embodiment is an embodiment of an information processing apparatus with a character processing function such as a personal computer, a word processor, a workstation and the like. As shown in the figure, the information processing device is composed of a device body 2, an input device 3, an auxiliary storage device 4, a display 13, a printer 14, and the like.

The apparatus main body 2 is provided with an OS 6, a memory 7, a cache memory 9, an outline font driver 8 and the like, and a bit map area 10 is provided in a part of the memory 7. The auxiliary storage device 4 is composed of, for example, a hard disk device, and a font file 11 is stored in the storage medium (disk) thereof.

The cache memory 9 is a memory (or memory area) that the outline font driver 8 accesses to perform a cache operation, and stores non-Kanji outline font data and non-Kanji cache control information (described later). To do.

The bitmap area 10 is an area provided in a part of the memory 7 and is an area for the outline font driver 8 to develop an output character into a bitmap based on the outline font data.

The font file 11 stored in the auxiliary storage device 4 is a file in which outline font data and other font data are stored. The outline font data of the font file 11 is read by the outline font driver 8 and used for character output processing and the like.

The outline font driver 8 is
The output processing of the character requested by the command from the OS 6 and the like are performed. In this character output process, OS6
The outline font data of the character requested by the command from the cache memory 9 or the font file 11 of the auxiliary storage device 4 is searched, and the bitmap expansion (bit image expansion) is performed in the bitmap area 10 based on the searched outline font data. ) Do.

The OS 6 issues an output request to the outline font driver 8 for the output character instructed from the input device 3 or displays the image data which the outline font driver 8 has developed in the bitmap area 10 as a bitmap. 13 or to the printer 14 to issue an output request.

The display 13 is for displaying and outputting characters on the screen based on the character data transferred from the OS 6. The printer 14 prints characters on paper based on the character data transferred from the OS 6 and outputs them.

§2: Outline of operation ... See FIG. 2. It is assumed that the font file 11 of the auxiliary storage device 4 stores outline font data including kanji and non-kanji in advance.

Then, the outline font driver 8
Is the font file 1 in the auxiliary storage device 4 during the startup process.
Data of non-Kanji characters is read from 1 and stored in the cache memory 9. In this case, the font file 11 handled by the outline font driver 8 is stored in the cache memory 9 as non-Kanji character data for a section including hiragana, katakana, letters, numbers, symbols and the like.

At this time, the outline font driver 8 also creates non-Kanji character cache control information such as a font name, cache range, and entry point for the characters stored in the cache memory 9 and stores it in the cache memory 9. deep. The non-Kanji character cache control information is information used by the outline font driver 8 when it is stored in the cache memory 9 and searched for a character.

Thereafter, in normal operation, when the OS 6 issues a character output request to the outline font driver 8 by a command (including a font name, character code, and other information), the outline font driver 8
By referring to the non-Kanji character cache control information stored in the cache memory 9, it is determined whether or not the character requested from the typeface name and the character code is stored in the cache memory 9.

As a result, if the requested character is in the cache memory 9 (in the case of non-Kanji character), the outline font data of the character is fetched from the cache memory 9, bit map expanded and output to the bit map area 10. .

However, if the requested character does not exist in the cache memory 9 (in the case of Kanji), the outline font driver 8 extracts the outline font data from the font file 11 in the auxiliary storage device 4, expands the bitmap, and outputs the bitmap. Output to the map area 10.
In this case, the outline font data (Kanji data) read from the font file 11 is not stored in the cache memory 9.

The data (image data) expanded into the bitmap in the bitmap area 10 as described above is
The OS 6 reads out and transfers it to the display 13 or the printer 14 for display or printing and output.

By the way, in general, the non-kanji characters including hiragana and katakana are the same or more than the kanji characters as the character types forming the actual Japanese sentence. Therefore, in the present embodiment, paying attention to the above points, only non-kanji characters including hiragana and katakana are stored in the cache memory 9, so that simple cache memory management can be performed.
In addition, the character output speed is sufficiently improved even with a small cache memory area.

The non-Kanji characters include not only hiragana and katakana but also letters, numbers and symbols. However, the alphabets, numbers and symbols have few character types, so this is done. In this way, even if the area of the cache memory 9 is small, it can be stored, and by storing the non-Kanji data in the cache memory 9, the character output speed can be improved.

Through the above processing, the outline font driver 8 can extract the non-Kanji characters requested by the OS 6 from the cache memory 9 and develop the bitmap at high speed. Therefore, by providing the cache memory 9 for non-Kanji characters, it is possible to improve the speed of display or printout of a normal Japanese sentence even if it does not have a cache management function such as replacement of font data.

§3: Explanation of data in cache memory
.. Refer to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of data in the cache memory. As described above, the outline font driver 8 reads the non-Kanji outline font data (actual data) from the auxiliary storage device 4 and stores it in the cache memory 9 in the startup process, and at the same time creates the non-Kanji character cache control information and caches it. It is stored in the memory 9.

In this case, the non-Kanji outline font data (actual font data) and the non-Kanji cache control information stored in the cache memory 9 are as shown in the figure, for example. In this example, the outline font data (actual data) is stored in different areas (different entry points) for each typeface.

The non-Kanji character cache control information is composed of a typeface name, a cache range, an entry point and the like. The typeface names are Mincho typeface, Gothic typeface, cursive typeface, Edo character, and the like. The cache range is a range of the character code table. For example, in the case of Mincho type, 1, 2,
It shows that the data of the wards 3, 4, and 5 are stored in the cache memory 9.

The entry point indicates the entry point (address on the cache memory 9) of the outline font data (actual data) stored in the cache memory 9.

As described above, paying attention to the fact that the character types that compose Japanese sentences are generally about half of hiragana and katakana, so the characters stored in the cache memory 9 are non-kanji (other than kanji). (Including hiragana, katakana, letters, numbers, symbols, etc.).

The management of the cache memory 9 and the retrieval of the outline font data from the cache memory 9 are simplified to eliminate the waste of retrieval of uncached characters. The cache memory 9 also stores non-Kanji character cache control information and actual outline font data in the startup process of the outline font driver 8.

In this case, the non-Kanji character cache control information stores the cached code range (cache range) and the address (entry point) of the actual outline font data in the cache memory 9 for each cached typeface. ing.

In normal operation, when a character output request is issued from the OS 6 to the outline font driver 8 by a command, the outline font driver 8
Retrieves the typeface name of the non-Kanji cache control information using the typeface name of the command as a key.

If there is a matching typeface name, it is checked whether the character code of the command is within the cache range. If the character code is within the cache range, the entry point is referenced to refer to the cache memory 9
Read the desired outline font data from.

§4: Description of Processing at Device Startup--See FIG. 4 FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the startup processing. Hereinafter, the device activation process will be described with reference to FIG. Note that S1 to S6 indicate processing steps.

This process is a starting process performed by the outline font driver 8 when the OS 6 is started. First, the OS
When the startup process of 6 is performed (S1), the startup process for the outline font driver 8 is instructed, and the outline font driver 8 performs the startup process (S2).

In the activation process of the outline font driver 8, the outline font driver 8 reads out outline font data of non-Kanji characters from the font file 11 of the auxiliary storage device 4 and stores it in the cache memory 9 (S3). In this case, the section including the hiragana, katakana, letters, numbers, symbols, etc. of the font file 11 handled by the outline font driver 8 is stored in the cache memory 9 as a target.

At this time, the outline font driver 8
Generates the non-Kanji character cache control information based on the outline font data of the non-Kanji character stored in the cache memory 9 and stores it in the cache memory 9.

The non-Kanji character cache control information is OS6.
Control information for retrieving a character stored in the cache memory 9 when a character output request from the. For example, when an application such as a personal computer or a word processor outputs a character to a screen, a printer or the like, a character output request is issued to the outline font driver 8 via the OS 6 or directly.

The outline font driver 8 that has received the character output request rasterizes the outline font (bitmap expansion) based on the requested font face name, character code, and other information.

In this case, the outline font driver 8 refers to the non-Kanji cache control information in the cache memory 9 and determines whether the output requested character exists in the cache memory 9 from the typeface name and the character code. to decide. As a result, if it is in the cache memory 9, it is possible to obtain the entry point to the cache memory 9 and take out the outline font data of the character.

When the process of S3 is completed, the starting process of the outline font driver 8 is completed (S4). After that, the activation process of other parts is performed (S5), and the activation process of the OS6 is finished (S6).

§5: Description of Character Data Output Processing--See FIG. 5 FIG. 5 is a character data output processing flowchart. Hereinafter, the character data output process will be described with reference to FIG. Note that S11 to S17 indicate processing steps.

First, when a character output request is issued to the outline font driver 8 by a command from the OS 6 (S11), the outline font driver 8
Referring to the non-Kanji character cache control information stored in the cache memory 9, whether the typeface name of the character requested by the command corresponds to the typeface name of the character stored (cached) in the cache memory 9 It is checked whether or not (S12).

As a result, when the typeface name is not stored in the cache memory 9 (in the case of Kanji), the outline font data is extracted from the font file 11 in the auxiliary storage device 4 and loaded into the memory 7 (S1).
6). In this case, the outline font driver 8
An arbitrary area of the memory 7 is temporarily used for work.

If the typeface is stored in the cache memory 9, it is determined whether the character code is stored in the cache memory 9 by referring to the non-Kanji character cache control information (S13).

As a result, if it is not the cached character code, the process of S16 is performed. However, when the character code exists in the cache memory 9, the entry point to the cache memory 9 indicating the storage position is obtained (S
14).

Next, the outline font driver 8
Extracts the outline font data from the cache memory 9 and loads it into the memory 7 (S15). Also in this case, the outline font driver 8 temporarily uses an arbitrary area of the memory 7 for work.

When the processing of S16 or S15 is completed, the outline font driver 8 determines, based on the outline font data loaded in the memory 7,
Bitmap expansion of the output character is performed in the bitmap area 10 (rasterization), and image data of the output character is created (S17).

After that, the OS 6 takes out the data in the bitmap area 10 and transfers it to the display 13 or the printer 14 to issue a display instruction or a print instruction. OS
According to the instruction from 6, the display 13 displays the characters of the screen power supply device based on the transferred data. The printer 14 also prints characters based on the transferred data.

(Other Embodiments) The embodiments have been described above, but the present invention can also be implemented as follows. (1): As the cache memory, an independent memory may be used, or a partial area of any memory may be used.

(2): The bit map area may use a part of an arbitrary memory, or may use an independent memory. (3): The auxiliary storage device is not limited to the hard disk device, and any other storage device (eg, magnetic tape device, optical disk device, etc.) may be used.

[0090]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. (1): In general, as for the character types that compose actual Japanese sentences, non-kanji characters including hiragana and katakana are equal to or more than kanji characters. In the present invention, paying attention to the above points, only non-Kanji characters including hiragana, katakana, letters, numbers and symbols are stored in the cache memory 9. Therefore, a simple cache memory management and a sufficient improvement in the character output speed can be obtained even with a small cache memory area.

(2): In the startup process of the outline font driver, only non-kanji data such as hiragana, katakana, letters, numbers, and symbols from the font file in the auxiliary storage device is stored in the cache memory. Also,
At this time, the non-Kanji cache control information is created and stored in the cache memory.

Therefore, when a character output request is issued, the outline font driver immediately refers to the non-Kanji character cache control information in the cache memory to determine whether or not the requested character is in the cache memory, If it is a non-Kanji character, the requested character can be immediately fetched from the cache memory and output. As a result, the cache management of the outline font driver is simplified, and the character output speed is improved.

(3): The outline font driver is
By referring to the non-Kanji cache control information, it is possible to determine whether or not the characters are cached easily by determining the typeface name and character code of the output characters, and if the non-Kanji characters are cached in the cache memory, the entry point is immediately acquired. Then, outline font data can be retrieved from the cache memory.

Therefore, the non-Kanji character can be bitmap-developed and displayed or printed to output the character only by the simple typeface name and character code discrimination. As a result, it is possible to improve the display speed and the printing speed.

(4): Since the cache memory only needs to secure an area capable of storing data for the number of non-Kanji characters, the memory can be effectively used, and sufficient display speed and printing speed can be obtained even with a small cache memory area. .

In addition to the above effects, the following effects are obtained corresponding to each claim. (5): In claim 1, the outline font driver is provided with a non-kanji character data storage means for extracting only non-kanji outline font data from the font file of the auxiliary storage device in the start-up process and storing it in the cache memory.

Therefore, even if the area of the cache memory is small, efficient cache operation can be performed. as a result,
The requested characters are output faster, and sufficient display speed and printing speed can be obtained.

(6): In claim 2, the outline font driver searches the cached non-kanji outline font data from the non-kanji outline font data stored in the cache memory by the non-kanji data storage means. The cache control information storage means for creating the non-Kanji character cache control information and storing it in the cache memory is provided.

Therefore, when a character output request is issued, the outline font driver can immediately retrieve the non-Kanji character data from the cache memory by referring to the non-Kanji character cache control information in the cache memory. Therefore, the cache management of the outline font driver is simplified, and the character output speed is improved.

(7): In claim 3, the non-Kanji data storage means stores non-Kanji data including Hiragana, Katakana, letters, numbers and symbols when storing non-Kanji outline font data in the cache memory. It has the function of storing.

Therefore, since the characters other than the Kanji characters are stored in the cache memory, all the characters other than the Kanji characters can be retrieved from the cache memory at high speed. Therefore, efficient cache management can be performed.

(8): In claim 4, the outline font driver refers to the non-Kanji character cache control information of the cache memory on the basis of the character output request and determines whether or not the requested character exists in the cache memory. It is provided with a character output control means for judging, if there is, the outline font data of the character from the cache memory, expanding the bitmap, and outputting.

Therefore, by referring to the non-Kanji character cache control information of the cache memory for the character output request, it is possible to easily and quickly determine whether or not the requested character is in the cache memory. . Therefore, cache management is also simplified, and character output can be speeded up.

(9): In claim 5, the cache control information storage means has a function of creating the non-Kanji character cache control information including the respective cache control information of the typeface name, cache range and entry point. I have it.

Therefore, the outline font driver can easily determine whether or not the output-requested character is in the cache memory. In addition, non-Kanji characters in the cache memory can acquire entry points and be output at high speed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a device configuration diagram of an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of data in a cache memory in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a startup process in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of character data output processing in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional character code.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of data in a conventional cache memory.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 auxiliary storage 6 OS (operating system) 7 memory 8 outline font driver 9 cache memory 10 bitmap area 11 font file

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location // G06F 3/12 9288-5L G06F 15/20 562N

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An outline font driver for processing outline font data, an auxiliary storage device in which a font file containing outline font data of kanji and non-kanji characters is stored in advance, and a cache memory for cache processing of character data. In the information processing apparatus with a character processing function for extracting outline font data of a character output requested by the outline font driver from the cache memory or the auxiliary storage device, and converting the outline font data into bit image data, the outline font driver is In the start-up process, a non-Kanji data storage means is provided for extracting only non-Kanji outline font data from the font file in the auxiliary storage device and storing it in the cache memory. Character processing function with the information processing apparatus. 2. The outline font driver comprises:
A cache control that creates non-Kanji cache control information for searching cached non-Kanji outline font data from the non-Kanji outline font data stored in the cache memory by the non-Kanji data storage unit and stores the cache data in the cache memory. The information processing apparatus with a character processing function according to claim 1, further comprising information storage means. 3. The non-Kanji data storage means has a function of storing non-Kanji data including hiragana, katakana, letters, numbers and symbols when storing non-Kanji outline font data in a cache memory. The information processing apparatus with a character processing function according to claim 1, wherein 4. The outline font driver comprises:
Based on the character output request, the non-Kanji cache control information in the cache memory is referenced to determine whether the requested output character exists in the cache memory, and if there is, the outline font data of the character is retrieved from the cache memory. 3. The information processing apparatus with a character processing function according to claim 2, further comprising a character output control means for expanding and outputting a bit map. 5. The cache control information storage means has a function of creating the non-Kanji character cache control information by including each cache control information of a font name, a cache range, and an entry point. The information processing apparatus with a character processing function according to claim 2.