JPS62282381A - Continuous character forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make an arbitrary characters continuous by forming a continuous area (continuous pattern) between character fonts by using a relating control parameter. CONSTITUTION:In a continuous table 3, continuous adaptable/unadaptable information, the coordinate of the start end of the first picture of the character and the width, the coordinate and the width of the end of a final picture and the coordinate of an interpolation point are stored as the control parameters every character. The one character of character is taken out from a cursive font data memory 2 and the continuous table 3, the coordinates C, D of two corners at the first writing of the first picture are stored in the post-character storing area of an output buffer 5 and the coordinates A, B of two corners at the final writing of a pre-character are reset in a pre-character storing area. The picture drawing of the boundary of the continuous area and a paint processing in the boundary are performed, the formed continuous area is printed and a continuous counter 9 is made incremental, according to the program of a tertiary spline.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] This invention relates to a continuous character creation device, and more specifically, creates a pattern in which given character patterns are connected to each other. Regarding technology, it can be applied to, for example, a Japanese word processor that outputs a continuous line of calligraphy fonts.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention provides a means for recording and managing control parameters regarding the continuity between characters in a continuous character creation device that connects given character patterns (fonts), and extracts the control parameters from the font data generation means. By generating continuous areas (connection patterns) between character fonts using related control parameters, we aim to obtain a desired continuous character pattern that cannot be obtained from font data generation means (character font generation means) alone. It is something to do.

[Prior art] Recently, in order to break away from conventional output using hard type fonts and printing machines, it has been attempted to obtain handwritten-like text using fonts with patterns similar to calligraphy fonts (brush fonts). is being attempted.

However, although there is a desire for a device that can smoothly connect such calligraphy fonts in a desired combination, it has not yet been realized.

For example, a typical conventional device with a calligraphy font does not have a continuous character between the calligraphy fonts, and each character box (nXm matrix format defined on the output medium 1, for example, paper) is area)
Inside, calligraphy writing is printed.

Certain conventional devices are capable of outputting a string of characters. This type of device has a string of string fonts in memory from the beginning, and by increasing the number of string fonts, a string of strings is developed on the output medium (for example, for logo printing). Therefore, the number of character strings that can be used is proportional to the memory capacity, and only a fixed string of characters can be obtained as a continuous string. I can't make it fl cotton.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In view of the above points, the main object of the present invention is to provide a continuous character creation device that can connect arbitrary characters.

The secondary challenge is to create a continuous character pattern that has a natural feel and flow.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A block diagram of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned main problems is shown in FIG. 1. In this figure, A is means for generating or storing font data for each character. (hereinafter collectively referred to as font data generation means), B is a generation source or storage means of control parameters regarding continuity between characters (hereinafter collectively referred to as control parameter generation means), C is font data of characters from font data generation means 2, D is accessed by access means C.
This continuous area generation means generates a continuous area between two character fonts using related control parameters.

[Operation and Development] Now, in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the access means C passes information on two character fonts extracted from the font data generation means A to the continuous area generation means. On the other hand, in continuous area generation, the receiver extracts control parameters related to the received information from control parameter generation means B, and uses this control parameter to generate a continuous area between two character fonts related to access. do.

When the present invention is applied to a series of brush fonts, etc., the font data generating means A described above is a so-called dot font memory (which generates fonts using a set of dots) that has the same pattern and form as the brush font that is finally output. Although it is preferable to use a memory that defines a memory, it is generally possible to use other types of memory. For example, a memory that stores the start point and end point, and draws between these using an appropriate drawing algorithm. means, a memory for storing the paint start position to be placed in the drawn closed area, and an L stage for starting the paint algorithm (filling program) from the paint start position to execute the filling in the closed area. A font source of the so-called vector font type can be constructed.

The control parameters provided by the control parameter generating means B define parameters regarding continuity between characters.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this control parameter includes information specifying whether consecutive characters can be connected, and if consecutive characters are not allowed, the continuous area generation hand gtD A continuous region between the characters is not created, and more preferably, this continuous continuity information is programmable. For example, the continuous continuity information can be freely set on the user side. In this way, flexibility regarding the continuous yarn is improved, and for example,
When applied to a series of calligraphy typefaces, the series 1w6 can be ended at a Japanese character of the user's preference.

Furthermore, the control parameters may include control coordinates (interpolation points) located within the continuous region between characters. These control coordinates can be used as control points when the continuous area generation means performs drawing or filling. In order to improve flexibility, it is better to make the control coordinates programmable.

Moreover, among the control parameters, the maximum i! I! It can contain information with a limited number of characters. In connection with this, a counting means is provided on the side of the continuous area generating means, and the counting means counts the number of continuous areas generated, and when the counted value reaches the maximum number of consecutive characters, the next character It is prohibited to create a continuous area with 1J of 0 brush typeface! In application to cotton output, by incorporating such n71, it is possible to effectively avoid the problem of characters being too continuous and becoming difficult to read. The maximum number of consecutive characters mentioned above can also be made programmable. Further, when creating a plurality of set consecutive characters, ν1 may be changed depending on the position of the character string ";".

Furthermore, one-character end data can be included in the control parameters. What is the character edge in this case?

It refers to the part of a character font (pattern) that is connected to a continuous area. Preferably, the one-character edge data consists of the convergence (screen width) of the edge of the character viewed to the right and its coordinates. Such information matches a portion of the boundary line of the continuous area generated by the continuous area generation means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, control parameters are assigned on a character-by-character basis. In other words, it is sufficient to have as many control parameters as the number of characters generated by the font data generating means A. Therefore, in the case of Kuhiragana, it is sufficient to prepare at most several dozen sets of control parameters. Furthermore, the method of assigning one set of control parameters to each character also has the advantage of reducing the burden on design and simplifying the system configuration and processing.

However, this is not limited to this. For example, the character set used may be grouped, and characters belonging to a certain character type (group) may be the same or in accordance with the relationship with characters belonging to another group, that is, in response to a combination of two character groups. ,
Control parameters (for example, control coordinates) may be assigned.

Although the embodiment described below is an application of the present invention to a series of hiragana characters in cursive style, the principle of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the principle of the present invention can be applied to a series of other characters in the same manner or with obvious changes. Therefore, it can be applied. Therefore, the meaning of the term "r character" defined in claim 1 should be interpreted in the broadest sense, and at least a character with an arbitrary pattern that can be converted using the source code (for example, graphical symbols).

[Example] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Structure> FIG. 2 shows the overall structure of the embodiment. This embodiment has a machine section that prints cursive-style hiragana in a continuous manner.

(2) Stores document data in a memory called text memory. Each character on this document data memory 1 is expressed in coded form (for example, JIS code)
.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a memory (cursive font data memory) for storing cursive hiragana fonts (patterns).

3 is a table memory for storing control parameters regarding continuity between characters; 0 In this embodiment, each set of control parameters is assigned to each cursive font. The details will be explained later.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a print control unit, which operates in response to a request to print continuous characters received via an input device (not shown, such as a keyboard), and outputs the above-mentioned document data 1, cursive font data memory 2) continuous character table 3. The necessary information is set in the output character storage area (output buffer) 5 for about one character type, and the continuous character shape creation section 6 is activated as appropriate.

The basic machine 51 of the continuous character shape creation section 6 is to generate a continuous part between two characters.

7 stores the maximum number of consecutive characters. The number of characters can be freely set by the user via the input device.

8 is an execution unit for cubic spline calculation. A curve (cubic spline curve) passing through three control points is generated.

9 is a register (used as a counter) that stores the count value of the number of continuous characters generated, that is, the number of continuous areas created; this content is used for comparison with the maximum set number of continuous characters. It will be done.

10 is a printing device such as a page printer;
11 is a printing medium (paper).

Continuous Table (FIGS. 3A and 3B) FIG. 3A shows an example of the configuration of the continuous table 3 shown in FIG. 2. Here, the following control parameters are stored character by character in the table. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 3B is also referred to.

Continuation availability information: Information in the first column, consisting of bits indicating whether or not the corresponding character font can be concatenated with the next character font.

Starting point: Specifies the coordinates of the starting end of the first stroke of the corresponding character.

End point: Specifies the coordinates of the end of the last stroke of the corresponding character (see Figure 3B).

Interpolation: An internal point in the continuous region between the corresponding character and the next character, one of the three control points in cubic spline calculation.
stipulate one. It also serves as the starting point for painting.

First stroke width: Indicates the width of the starting edge of the first stroke of the corresponding character,
This means that the two starting points (X +, YI), (X7, Y
7) You can also ask for help.

Final stroke width: Indicates the width of the end of the final stroke of the corresponding character font. This can also be obtained by calculating the two end points (X3, Yl) and (Xs, Y4).

Operation> Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as above is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
This will be explained with reference to the figures.

: The iSS diagram shows a flowchart of the embodiment. After setting the range of the document to be printed and other necessary formats (for example, setting the number of consecutive characters), when a request for continuous printing of cursive is given, this Get into the flow. The following process is repeatedly executed until the pointer reaches the end point indicating completion of the process (33).

When processing a character that is not consecutive with the previous character, the consecutive character counter 9 is initialized (SL).

Advance the pointer two places (S2), extract one character of character information from the cursive font data memory 2 and continuous table 3 of the text example, store it in the character storage area after the buffer 5 (S4), and print that character ( SS), move the pointer back by one (35), check whether it is the beginning of the sentence or not 37
), if it is the beginning, return to the first process (Sl), and if it is not the beginning, proceed to the following process.

Set the character information indicated by the pointer to all character storage areas of the buffer 7 (SS), check whether the contents of the continuous counter 9 exceed the set number of characters, and if it exceeds the set number of characters, return to the beginning (Sl), If not, check the continuity bit in the control parameter of the previous character. In other words, check whether the current character can be connected to the previous character (S10)
If it is not continuous, the process returns to the beginning (Sl), and if it is a continuous part, the following continuous part generation and printing processes are executed.

According to the cubic spline program, draw the boundary line of the continuous area and paint inside the boundary (S 1
1) Regarding this process.

This will be explained in more detail later with reference to FIG. After printing the generated l&iX area S l 2) and incrementing the continuous counter 9 (313), the process returns to S2 to update the pointer and repeats the process.

To briefly describe the process according to the flowchart in section L, first extract information for one character, print it, extract information for the previous character, and check whether the previous character and subsequent character can be connected consecutively. It is determined by looking at the beat 2 whether or not the character can be repeated, and it is determined by comparing the contents of the consecutiveness counter 9 and the setting register 7 whether or not the set number of consecutive characters has been exceeded.Only when both conditions are met, A continuous region is generated using relevant control parameters, printed, and processing proceeds to the first character.

Continuous portion generation process (S11, 312, FIG. 4) Next, the creation of a continuous region between the preceding character and the following character will be described with reference to FIG.

As mentioned above, in the case of this embodiment, A in FIG.
Information about point B, point 0, point D, and one interpolation point I is given. Point A (x3゜Yl ) and point B (X4
．． Yn) is the first letter t7) la k'E picture (7)
These are the coordinates of the two corners at the end of the stroke, and can be obtained at 38 in the 0'S5 diagram. Similarly, information on interpolation point 1 is also obtained at SS. On the other hand, 0 points (X+
, y + ) Point D (X2, Y2) is the coordinate of the two corners of the first stroke of the second character,
It can be obtained at 84 in Figure 5. The supply source for points A-D and one point is the continuous table 3 (FIGS. 1 and 3A).

The process of generating a continuous area can be broadly divided into drawing a boundary line (DRAW) and filling the closed area created by the boundary line with a full-color painting process.

In this example, the boundary line is drawn using a cubic spline (parametric cubic curve -a).For example, the following procedure is used to draw the boundary line.

First, point E on the left side of the interpolation point (defines the center control point on the left spline curve), and point F on the right side of the interpolation point ■.
(defines the center control point on the right spline curve)
is calculated using the already given points A to D and information on one point.

For example, point E can be found as follows.

E, = 1. - (AB+CD)/K (subscript
For example, 4 (in this case, it will be approximately the middle thickness) for the first stroke width of the character after the mi.

EV=IV (The subscript y indicates the value of the X coordinate.) Similarly, point F is determined as follows.

FX=1. + (AB+CD)/KFy=I
y As described above, all the control points necessary for drawing the spline curve, that is, the three points A, E, and C, and the three points B, F, and D, were determined.

Therefore, using the three control points A, E, and C, a cubic spline curve (left boundary line) passing through these points is generated. Similarly, three control points B, F, and D are used to generate a cubic spline curve (right boundary line) passing through these points. This generation itself is a well-known technique.

The drawing process is thus completed. At this stage, all boundaries of the closed area to be painted have been given. That is, a closed curve from A to E, C, D, F, B, and A is developed on a suitable image bar. There is one point surrounded by this closed curve. Therefore, a paint program is executed using this internal dot work as a starting point for painting. As a result, the entire area surrounded by the closed curve is filled in. This area is a continuous area between the first character and the second character. By printing this through the printing device 2110, a continuous portion of the front character and the rear character is printed.

Modifications> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be easily realized.

For example, in the above embodiment, the number of consecutive threads is set.

The reasons for counting the number of consecutive lines are mainly to maintain the readability of cursive documents (readability deteriorates if all the documents are continuous), markings, flexibility, each user's preference, etc. With that in mind, other variations are easily conceivable. For example, make it possible to write horizontally as well as vertically.

For this purpose, a continuous table for horizontal writing is required (1
(The section information may be shared with the continuous table for vertical writing).

It is also possible to move the interpolation point according to the pitch between characters, for example by scaling the reference interpolation point (by multiplying it by a pitch factor), or by selecting one of several set interpolation points. This can be easily achieved by doing this.

As a printing device, in addition to page printers with graphic functions, you can also use something like a dot printer (the main unit generates interpolated image data between characters,
by transferring it to the printer side).

Regarding the end of the series, i! In the case of fl cotton end characters, a font in a different typeface from the continuous typeface may be used.

Regarding the drawing of the continuous section, any other curve generation program can be used in addition to the cubic spline. (e.g. Hermie) () (ermi te), Haje (B
< If you want to increase the twist, you may use a polynomial of degree 4 or higher.

It is also possible to create a "hole" area in the continuous area so that the printing is blurred in that area. For example, after creating a continuous area with paint, you can use a "fading" program such as soft focus. This can be done by running (to give the touch of a brush).

In addition, in the above embodiment, the interpolation point is composed of coordinate data inscribed on the previous character of two consecutive characters, but for the two selected characters (those that are output consecutively) It may be given depending on the combination, thereby optimizing the continuous flow.

It is also conceivable to improve the character edge data. For example, when making a string, use character edge data for the string and image data (font) for the string, connect the image data to the edge of the character font (make it a consistent pattern), and use this character edge data. Draw and paint. This method seems to be particularly suitable for continuous kanji characters.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, arbitrary characters can be created by connecting them as desired, there is no total heat limit on the string of characters that can be connected, and there is no limit on the total heat. It is useful for

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the machine of the present invention, Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment, and Figure 3A is a 4X11 block diagram of the continuous table in Figure 2.
FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of the continuous text control parameters in the continuous text table, FIG. 2... Cursive font data memory, 3...
...Continuous cotton table, 4...Print control unit, 6...
... Continuous glyph creation section, 8... Cubic spline calculation section. Patent Applicant Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Machi 1) Shozo Toshi-1: CD Figure 1 Figure 4 Figure 2

Claims (11)

[Claims] (1) Font data generation means for generating character font data; control parameter generation means for generating control parameters regarding continuity between characters; access means for accessing character font data from the font data generation means; 1. A continuous character creation device comprising: continuous region generation means for generating a continuous region between two character fonts accessed by the access means using related control parameters. (2) In the continuous character creation device according to claim 1, the control parameter includes information regarding whether or not characters can be continuous, and the continuous area generating means includes the related control parameter that indicates that continuous characters cannot be continuous. If it contains information on
A continuous character creation device characterized by not generating a continuous area between two accessed character fonts. (3) The continuous character creating device according to claim 1, wherein the control parameters include control coordinate data located within a continuous region between characters. (4) In the continuous character creation device according to claim 1, the control parameter includes information on the maximum number of characters that can be continuous, and the continuous area generation means counts the number of generated continuous areas. What is claimed is: 1. A continuous character creation device comprising a continuous character counting means for counting the number of consecutive characters, and inhibiting generation of a continuous area with the next character when the counted value reaches the maximum number of characters that can be continuous. (5) In the continuous character creation device according to claim 1, the control parameter includes character end data of an end connected to a continuous area among the ends of the character font. Character creation device. (6) The continuous character creating device according to claim 5, wherein the character end data is comprised of information regarding the width and coordinates of the character end. (7) The continuous character creation device according to claim 2, wherein the information regarding whether or not the characters can be continuous is variably programmable. (8) A continuous character creating device according to claim 3, wherein the control coordinate data is variably programmable. (9) The continuous character creating device according to claim 4, wherein the maximum number of characters that can be continuous is variably programmable. (10) A continuous character creating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the characters are Japanese characters in a calligraphy font. (11) A continuous character creating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control parameter is assigned to each character.