JPH09134423A - Character output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more beautifully output the bit map images of various kinds of characters without enlarging data storage quantity so much by setting the bit map image which is smaller than a maximum size of bit map images as a basic size image and providing a bit map data synthesis means, etc. SOLUTION: The bit map image which is smaller than a maximum size of bit map images is set as a basic size image 20. The bit map data (enlarged bit map data) 32 of the enlarged basic image 25 obtained by enlarging the basic size image 20 to a designated size and correction bit map data 31 are synthesized by the synthesizing method which is preliminarily fixed by a bit map data synthesis means and the bit map data is defined as the bit map data 33 of the final image 26 of a character. Based on the bit map data 33, the final image 26 of the character is outputted from an image output means.

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 for outputting a character image as a bit map image represented by pixel on / off information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a character output device such as a printer or a display uses bitmap data represented as a set of ON / OFF information of each pixel arranged in a matrix as image data of each character. Widely known.

[0003]

In the above character output device, when it is desired to output a character image based on bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as a bitmap image) in various sizes, the bitmap image of a specific size is set to a desired size. If the image is simply enlarged or reduced and output, there is a problem that jagged edges (jaggies) occur in the outline portion of the obtained bitmap image, and the image quality is impaired. Therefore, when a beautiful bitmap image without jaggies is to be output in a plurality of sizes, it is necessary to store separate bitmap data for each character size, which causes a problem in that the amount of data storage increases. .

An object of the present invention is to provide a character output device capable of beautifully outputting bitmap images of various characters in a plurality of sizes without enlarging the amount of data storage.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a character output device for outputting a character image of a plurality of sizes as a bit map image represented by pixel on / off information, In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a predetermined one smaller than the maximum size of the bitmap images of the plurality of sizes is set as a basic size image, and is configured with the following requirements. Characterize. Basic bitmap data storage means: Stores basic size image bitmap data (basic bitmap data). Enlarged bitmap data generating means: Generates bitmap data of the enlarged basic size image (enlarged basic image) when the basic size image is enlarged to a specified size, based on the basic bitmap data. Corrected bitmap data storage means: Provided corresponding to each of the plurality of sizes larger than the basic size, and finally output in that size by combining with the enlarged basic image according to a predetermined method. Bitmap image to be made (final image)
The corrected bitmap data that forms Bitmap data synthesizing means: synthesizes the bitmap data of the enlarged basic image and the corresponding corrected bitmap data in the designated size. Image output means: Outputs the final image of the designated size based on the combined bitmap data.

That is, in the character output device having the above-mentioned configuration, the bitmap data of the enlarged basic image obtained by enlarging the basic size image to a desired size, and the corrected bitmap data prepared corresponding to the size. Is synthesized by a predetermined method, and the final image of the size is output by the synthesized data, so that a beautiful bitmap image can be obtained in various sizes. In addition, the data prepared for each size is corrected bitmap data that is premised on composition with the enlarged basic image, so the amount of data storage is reduced compared to the configuration in which complete bitmap data is prepared for each size. It has the advantage that it can.

Further, at least one of the basic bitmap data and the corrected bitmap data can be stored in a compressed state. In this case, it is possible to provide a decompression means for restoring the compressed basic bitmap data or corrected bitmap data to the state before compression. In this case, the basic bitmap data storage means or the corrected bitmap data storage means stores the compressed basic bitmap data or the corrected bitmap data. In this way, the data storage amount can be further reduced. A data compression means for compressing at least one of the basic bitmap data and the corrected bitmap data may be added.

Here, a plurality of basic size image enlarging methods can be set in association with the character type. In this case, the enlarged bitmap data generation means enlarges the basic size image of the designated character by a method corresponding to the character among the plurality of enlargement methods, and obtains the bitmap data of the enlarged basic image. It is supposed to be generated. According to this structure, an enlarging method suitable for the type of character can be selected as appropriate, so that there is an advantage that the quality of the output image can be improved or the amount of correction bitmap data can be reduced.

Specifically, the plurality of enlargement methods include a first method for smoothing the outline portion of the bitmap image (smoothing processing) when enlarging the basic size image, and the smoothing processing. And a second method not included. Then, one of these first and second methods will be selected according to the type of character. That is, if it is assumed that a high-quality final image in which the contour portion is smoothed is output, smoothing processing is performed when the basic size image is enlarged, and the contour portion is smoothed on the smoothed enlarged basic image side. A method that mainly provides the function (corresponding to the first method) and a method that does not perform the smoothing process at the time of enlargement and that has the smoothing function of the contour portion mainly on the side of the correction bitmap data (the second method). (Corresponding to the method) is possible. The amount of the correction bitmap data can be effectively reduced by selecting and setting, for each character, one of the two systems, whichever has the smaller amount of the correction bitmap data. .

Further, a plurality of synthesizing methods for synthesizing the bitmap data of the enlarged basic image and the corrected bitmap data can be set in association with the character type. In this case, the bitmap data synthesizing means synthesizes the bitmap data of the enlarged basic image of the designated character and the corresponding correction bitmap data by a method corresponding to the character among the plurality of synthesizing methods. To be done. That is, it is possible to effectively reduce the amount of correction bitmap data by considering the optimal combining method for each character.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings and with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a character output device of the present invention. That is, the character output device 1 includes the I / O port 4, the CPU 5, the ROM 6, and the RA connected to the I / O port 4.
The computer main body 2 including the M7 and the like, and the disk storage device 8 and the like connected to the computer main body 2 are provided. Further, the I / O port 4 is connected to the printer 3 as an image output means. Furthermore, an input unit 9 such as a keyboard and a display control unit 10 are connected to the I / O port 4, and a monitor 11 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display is connected to the display control unit 10. The above CP
U5 is the main body of the expanded bitmap data generation means, the bitmap data synthesis means and the decompression means.

An output control program storage unit 6a is formed in the ROM 6 of the computer main body 2, and an output control program for controlling the data output processing described below in this embodiment is stored therein. Further, the RAM 7 is formed with a work memory 7a, a text memory 7b, an image memory 7f and the like. The work memory 7a is
It is used to temporarily store necessary data when the CPU 5 executes a program. The text memory 7b is for storing the character code and size input from the input unit 9 and the character modification information such as the character rotation, italics, and superscript / subscript.

On the other hand, the disk storage device 8 is composed of a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device or the like, and a character storage portion 8a is formed therein. In the character storage unit 8a, character data corresponding to a large number of characters such as characters and symbols of various typefaces in a one-to-one correspondence is stored so as to be randomly read in units of one character.
The disk storage device 8 constitutes a basic bitmap data storage means and a correction bitmap data storage means.

As shown in FIG. 2, the character storage unit 8a.
A character management information storage unit 8b and a compressed bitmap data storage unit 8c are formed in the. In the character management information storage section 8b, a code storage area A1 for storing a code of each character and a management information storage area A2 for storing management information of bitmap data of each size corresponding to the code are formed. . Here, in the management information storage area A2, a basic pattern index for specifying bitmap data of a basic size image (described later) of each character, and corrected bitmap data (described later) corresponding to each size of the character are specified. A correction pattern index for, an enlargement method flag, and a combination method flag are stored. On the other hand, the compressed bitmap data storage unit 8c stores compressed basic bitmap data corresponding to the basic pattern index of each character,
Also, compression correction bitmap data corresponding to the correction pattern index is stored. Here, the basic pattern index and the correction pattern index can be configured by the address information of the storage area of the corresponding compressed bitmap data, or the like.

The compressed basic bitmap data is obtained by compressing bitmap data of a character image (basic size image) 20 having a predetermined basic size (for example, a minimum size) 20 as shown in FIG. 3 by a predetermined method. It is obtained by doing. As a compression method, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a matrix array of bitmap data is scanned in a predetermined direction (for example, the X direction), each of the pixel 22 in the ON state and the pixel 23 in the OFF state is scanned. It is possible to exemplify a so-called run length method in which data is compressed by storing the continuous number in the scan order.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the scanned data is divided into bit strings A to D etc. each having a predetermined number of bits (4 bits in this embodiment), and a combination of bit data for each of these columns (hereinafter, It is also possible to adopt a method of analyzing data (referred to as a bit pattern) and performing data compression. For example, in the method shown in FIG. 7A, when the bit strings of the same bit pattern are continuous, the data of the first bit string is stored as it is, and the subsequent bit strings are stored with the repetition code (“0” in this embodiment). By replacing the data, the data is compressed. On the other hand, in the method shown in (b), the bit patterns are classified, and the same classification code is given to the bit strings having the same pattern to compress the data. In any of the methods (a) and (b),
It is based on the principle of reducing the amount of data by constructing the repetitive code or the classification code with data having a smaller number of bits than each bit string. Further, as shown in (c), the appearance frequency of each of the classified bit patterns is analyzed, and a classification code having a smaller number of bits is assigned to the one having a higher frequency, whereby the data compression rate can be further increased. it can.

Next, the compressed correction bitmap data is prepared for each predetermined size larger than the basic size of each character. As schematically shown in FIG. 6, the corrected bitmap data 31 includes bitmap data (enlarged bitmap data) 32 of an enlarged basic image 25 obtained by enlarging the basic size image 20 to a designated size.
Is to be combined by a predetermined combining method to form the bitmap data 33 of the final image 26,
The compressed correction bitmap data is obtained by compressing the compressed data by the same method as described above. The compressed basic bitmap data and the compressed correction bitmap data are used after being expanded to a state before compression by a decompression method corresponding to the compression method.

The enlargement method of the basic size image 20 is predetermined for each character by the enlargement method flag (FIG. 2) described above. In the present embodiment, when the value of the enlargement method flag is "1", the mode for simply enlarging the basic size image 20 is designated, and when it is "2", the basic size image 20 is enlarged. After that, a mode for performing the smoothing process on the contour portion is specified. When the value of the enlargement method flag is “0”, it means that enlargement is not performed.

For the smoothing treatment, various known methods such as those disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 2-52274 or Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 60-49314 can be used. FIG. 7 shows a method disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 52274/1990. First, a pixel pattern obtained by simply enlarging the basic size image 20 is a portion composed of 3 × 3 = 9 cells. Matrix 50
Sequentially sample by. Then, one of the on and off states of the pixel is set to the first state, the other is set to the second state, and at least the other eight pixels surrounding the central pixel 51 located at the center of the partial matrix 50 are at least Pixels 52 forming the two sides of the matrix
Is in the first state, the central pixel 51 is in the second state, and in other cases, the process of not changing the state of the pixel is performed.

FIG. 8 shows the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-49314. That is, one of the on and off states of the pixel is set to the first state, the other is set to the second state, and two vertical and horizontal pixel rows that are adjacent to any pixel 61 set to the first state and are orthogonal to each other. In any one of the groups, as shown in (a) of the same figure, with respect to the pixel 64 forming the intersection, the portions 62 and 63 connected to the pixel 61 side in the first state are three or more continuous second In the case of the pixel in the state, the pixel 61 in the first state is left in the first state, and the pixels (b) and (c) in FIG.
As shown in, when either one of the portions 62 and 63 is one or two consecutive pixels in the second state, the process of inverting the pixel 61 in the first state to the second state is performed. Done.

It should be noted that any one of the plurality of smoothing processes as described above may be appropriately selected and executed according to the type of character, or two or more smoothing processes may be combined and executed.

Next, regarding the method of synthesizing the corrected bitmap data and the enlarged bitmap data, both bitmap data are constructed using a pixel matrix in which the pixels of each pixel correspond one-to-one, and The conversion table that gives the state of the pixel after combination for all combinations of the ON / OFF states of the corresponding pixels is stored in the ROM 6
It is possible to exemplify a method of storing in the conversion table storage unit 6c of FIG. 1 and creating composite bitmap data according to the conversion table. In this case, a plurality of conversion tables are stored as shown in FIG. 9, and a corresponding one is selected according to the value of the combining method flag. That is, “1” is associated with the ON state of the pixel, “0” is associated with the OFF state, the state of the pixel on the enlarged bitmap data side is a variable E, and the state of the pixel on the corrected bitmap data side is a variable. A is represented by A, and a logical operation expression that connects the variables E and A with each other by the logical operator “+”, the logical product “*”, the exclusive logical sum “XOR”, and the negation “~” is set. . The conversion table can be configured to give the calculation result (that is, the pixel state after combination) to each combination of the values of the variables E and A. It should be noted that it is desirable to set the synthesizing method for each character so that the size of the corrected bitmap data is minimized.

Returning to FIG. 1, the printer 3 is provided with a print output unit 13 for printing out an image of a character based on the composite bitmap data. The print output unit 13 is composed of, for example, an electrophotographic printing device using a laser light source, an inkjet printing device, or the like. In addition, between the print output unit 13 and the I / O port 4,
A printer buffer memory 12 for temporarily storing image data and the like sent from the computer main body 2 side can be provided.

The flow of processing in the character output device 1 will be described below with reference to a flowchart. First, in S1 of FIG. 10, by using the input unit 9, character code data and size data (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as “text data”) are input. The input text data is stored in the text memory 7b (FIG. 1) of the RAM 7 as a text file. It should be noted that the text file created in advance may be stored in the disk storage device 8 or the like, and may be read out and used as appropriate.

Next, in S2, corresponding character management information is read based on the code data and size data included in the text data. Then, when a size larger than the basic size is designated, the process proceeds to the combining process of S4. FIG. 11 shows the details of the composition process, S51.
At, the compressed basic bitmap data corresponding to the code is read, and at S52, this is expanded into basic bitmap data. Subsequently, in S53, the value of the enlargement method flag is read out, and in S54, the enlargement method designated by the flag value is used to enlarge the basic size image to the designated size to generate enlarged basic bitmap data.

Further, in S55 and S56, the corresponding compression correction bitmap data is read out and expanded,
In S57, the value of the composition method flag is read. And S
In 58, the enlarged basic bitmap data and the expanded corrected bitmap data are combined by the combining method specified by the flag value to form combined bitmap data (that is, final image bitmap data), It is temporarily stored in the image memory 7f in the RAM 7. Then, in S5 of FIG. 10, based on the bitmap data stored in the image memory 7f,
The final image of the character is output from the printer 3. On the other hand, when the basic size image is output without being enlarged (that is, when the basic size is specified)
Goes from S3 to S6 and thereafter, only the reading of the compressed basic bitmap data and the expansion processing thereof are performed, and then the process proceeds to S5.

The character image based on the image data can be displayed and output on the monitor 11, for example, in addition to being printed and output on the printer 3. In this case, character data different from that for printing may be used for monitor output.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a character output device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an example of the contents of a character storage section thereof.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of bitmap data of a character.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data compression method.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a data compression method.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the role of corrected bitmap data.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of smoothing processing.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the same.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conversion table.

10 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of processing in the character output device of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the combining process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Character Output Device 3 Printer (Image Output Means) 5 CPU (Enlarged Bitmap Data Generation Means, Bitmap Data Composing Means, Decompression Means) 8 Disk Storage (Basic Bitmap Data Storage Means, Corrected Bitmap Data Storage Means) 20 basic size image 25 enlarged basic image 26 final image 30 basic bitmap data 31 corrected bitmap data 32 enlarged bitmap data

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G09G 5/26 630 9377-5H G09G 5/28 610B 5/28 610 B41J 3/12 L H04N 1 / 409 H04N 1/40 101D

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image of characters of multiple sizes,
In a character output device for outputting a bitmap image represented by pixel on / off information, a predetermined one smaller than the maximum size is set as the basic size image among the bitmap images of the plurality of sizes. , The bitmap data of the basic size image (hereinafter,
Basic bitmap data storage means for storing the basic bitmap image), and a bitmap of the enlarged basic size image (hereinafter referred to as enlarged basic image) when the basic size image is enlarged to a specified size. Enlarged bitmap data generating means for generating data based on the basic bitmap data, and a plurality of sizes that are larger than the basic size and are respectively provided in correspondence with the enlarged bitmap data according to a predetermined method. A correction bitmap data storage unit that stores correction bitmap data that forms a bitmap image (hereinafter referred to as a final image) to be finally output in that size by being combined with the basic image, and a specified size. In, the bits of the enlarged basic image Bitmap data synthesizing means for synthesizing the image data and the corresponding corrected bitmap data, and an image output means for outputting the final image of the designated size based on the synthesized bitmap data. A character output device characterized by the above. 2. At least one of the basic bitmap data and the correction bitmap data is stored in a compressed state, and the compressed basic bitmap data or correction bitmap data is stored in a state before compression. The character according to claim 1, further comprising decompression means for decompressing, wherein the basic bitmap data storage means or the corrected bitmap data storage means stores the compressed basic bitmap data or the corrected bitmap data. Output device. 3. A method of enlarging the basic size image,
A plurality of sets are set in association with the type of the character, and the enlarged bitmap data generation unit enlarges the basic size image of the designated character by a method corresponding to the character among the plurality of enlargement methods. The character output device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein bit map data of the enlarged basic image is generated. 4. The plurality of enlargement methods include a first method for smoothing a contour portion of a bitmap image (hereinafter referred to as smoothing processing) when enlarging the basic size image, and the smoothing processing. 4. The character output device according to claim 3, further comprising a second method of not performing, and one of these first and second methods is selected according to the type of the character. 5. A plurality of synthesizing methods for synthesizing the bitmap data of the enlarged basic image and the corrected bitmap data are set in association with the type of the character, and the bitmap data synthesizing unit is designated. 5. The bitmap data of the enlarged basic image of the generated character and the corrected bitmap data are combined by a method corresponding to the character among the plurality of combining methods. The character output device described in.