JPWO2007026898A1 - Character graphic display device, character graphic display method, character graphic display program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The character / graphic display device makes it possible to recognize that a character or graphic is displayed in the same typeface as the horizontal and vertical lines even when the lines constituting the character or graphic are tilted in an oblique direction. indicate. The character graphic display device determines the shape of the main dot pattern based on the thickness of a line constituting the character or graphic and the coordinate data of two sample points adjacent to each other among a plurality of sample points corresponding to the stroke. Main dot pattern shape determining means, and display data generating means for generating display data for displaying characters or figures by arranging a plurality of main dot patterns each having the determined shape so as not to overlap each other I have.

Description

  The present invention has a display device such as a liquid crystal display device and the like, and can display characters or graphics on the display screen of the display device. Character graphic display device such as a word processor, and display of the character graphic display device Character graphic display method for displaying characters or figures on a screen, character graphic display program for causing a computer to execute each step of the character graphic display method, and computer-readable recording medium on which the character graphic display program is recorded About.

  A display device provided in a character display device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone includes a display screen provided with a plurality of pixels. By controlling the luminance of each pixel, characters, graphics, etc. are displayed on the display screen. An image is displayed. In such a display device, when displaying characters on the display screen, by selecting the pixels constituting the displayed characters as the width (thickness) of the lines constituting the characters as an arbitrary number of pixels, Characters can be displayed in any size.

  When displaying a character on the display screen, for example, a pixel on the display screen is selected based on skeleton data that defines the skeleton (core) shape of the character. Skeletal data is coordinate data relating to all line segments (strokes) constituting the skeleton (core) shape of a character, and is set on each stroke so that the shape of each stroke is specified in predetermined skeleton plane coordinates. The coordinate data of a plurality of sample points. Then, for each character to be displayed, the coordinate values of the sample points of all the strokes constituting the skeleton shape of each character are scaled based on the skeleton data, and each coordinate value in the display screen (real pixel coordinate system) The pixels corresponding to the sample points are obtained, and the luminance values of the pixels around the pixels are set so as to have a predetermined line width set based on the display size. Thereby, characters can be displayed on the display screen in a predetermined size.

  According to such a character display method, since characters can be displayed in an arbitrary size, characters can be displayed in a display size corresponding to the size of the display screen. Therefore, for example, even when the display screen is large, the width of each line constituting the character displayed in correspondence with the size of the display screen can be displayed thick to increase the size of the display character.

  In addition, when the line width of the character is displayed thickly in this way, in order to improve the visibility of the displayed character, the brightness value of not only the skeleton pixels constituting the display character but also the surrounding pixels is controlled. Thus, the lines constituting the display characters can be displayed smoothly and with a well-balanced line width. However, when such a process is executed, there is a problem that a load on an arithmetic control device such as a CPU increases. For this reason, for example, in the case of a device having various functions such as a mobile phone, it is necessary to reduce the load on the arithmetic and control unit as much as possible, and the above-described processing can be performed efficiently. A simple algorithm is required.

Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-267644) discloses a method for efficiently controlling luminance values of peripheral pixels of a skeleton pixel of a display character. In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of font data set for each of different resolutions is stored in a processing device, and two types of font data are selected from the stored font data and selected. By calculating the desired size font data from the two types of font data by interpolation processing, the stroke interval is adjusted to generate intermediate size font data, and the generated intermediate size font data is multi-tone It is designed to convert to data. In addition, when generating bitmap data with an arbitrary line width from stroke data, pixels that form a square with a predetermined number of pixels on one side corresponding to the line width of the displayed character are set for the start point of the stroke. In the following, by setting the pixels necessary for display according to the positional relationship between the pixels forming the set square and the sample points of the stroke, the pixels forming the square set for each sample point respectively By preventing duplicates from being set, the processing efficiency is improved.
JP 2000-267644 A

  However, in the conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the shape of the square formed by the set pixels remains constant even when the stroke inclination changes. For this reason, at each end point in a line segment (horizontal line and vertical line) along the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, corner portions are formed at right angles by sides along the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, respectively. Each end point is clearly displayed as described above, but for the diagonal line segment, similarly, at each end point, the corner portion is formed at right angles by sides along the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, respectively. As a result, the corners that are perpendicular to the diagonal direction are displayed more emphasized than the corners of the end points of the horizontal and vertical lines, and the strokes (line segments) that make up the character Depending on the angle of inclination, it may be recognized that the typeface of the displayed character has changed significantly compared to the case of horizontal and vertical lines. .

  Furthermore, in the conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a square of the same size is drawn regardless of the magnitude of the stroke inclination angle, but the thickness of the displayed line width varies depending on the inclination angle. Therefore, there is a problem that the line width of the character varies.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and its purpose is to display characters in the same typeface as horizontal and vertical lines even when the line segments constituting characters or figures are inclined in an oblique direction. To provide a character graphic display device, a character graphic display method, a character graphic display program, and a recording medium on which the character graphic display program is recorded so that the character or graphic can be displayed with high quality It is in.

  The character graphic display device of the present invention is a character graphic display device for displaying a character or a graphic on a display screen, and is a skeleton data acquisition means for acquiring skeleton data representing the skeleton of the character or graphic to be displayed, The skeleton data includes stroke data representing strokes of the character or the figure, and the stroke data includes skeleton data acquisition means including coordinate data of a plurality of sample points corresponding to the stroke, the character or the figure Main dot pattern shape determining means for determining the shape of the main dot pattern on the basis of the thickness of the line constituting the stroke and the coordinate data of two sample points adjacent to each other among the plurality of sample points corresponding to the stroke; The plurality of main dot patterns each having the determined shape are arranged so as not to overlap each other. Te, and a display data generating means for generating display data for displaying the character or figure shape.

  Preferably, the display data generation unit generates the display data by arranging at least one sub-dot pattern so as to fill a step formed by the plurality of main dot patterns.

  Preferably, the main dot pattern shape determining means determines the shape of the main dot pattern as one of a square and a rhombus according to the slope of a straight line connecting the two sample points.

  Preferably, the main dot pattern shape determining means determines whether or not the straight line connecting the two sample points is an oblique line, and it is determined that the straight line connecting the two sample points is an oblique line In this case, the shape of the main dot pattern is determined to be a rhombus, and when it is determined that the straight line connecting the two sample points is not an oblique line, the shape of the main dot pattern is determined to be a square.

  Preferably, the main dot pattern shape determining means has an inclination θ of a straight line connecting the two sample points of 0 ° ≦ θ <25 °, 65 ° ≦ θ <113 °, 155 ° ≦ θ <205 °, 245 If ° ≦ θ <295 ° or 335 ° ≦ θ <360 °, it is determined that the straight line connecting the two sample points is not an oblique line, and otherwise, the straight line connecting the two sample points Is an oblique line.

  Preferably, the main dot pattern shape determining means determines the number of pixels on each side of the main dot pattern according to the thickness of a line constituting the character or the graphic.

  Preferably, the thickness of the line constituting the character or the figure is set according to the size of the character or the figure or the number of lines constituting the character or the figure.

  Preferably, the display data generation unit does not arrange the sub-dot pattern when the display screen is being scrolled or when the inclination of the stroke is close to a predetermined direction.

  Preferably, when the main dot pattern shape determining unit determines the shape of the main dot pattern to be square, the display data generating unit is configured to display the display corresponding to one sample point of the two sample points. A square main dot pattern having a predetermined number of pixels around each pixel on the screen is arranged, and the arranged main dot pattern on the pixel corresponding to the straight line connecting the two sample points on the display screen By placing a square main dot pattern having a predetermined number of pixels on each side with a pixel whose X coordinate value or Y coordinate value is the predetermined number of pixels from the center pixel of Generate.

  Preferably, when the step portions are formed on the left and right sides of the two main dot patterns arranged adjacent to each other, the display data generation unit is configured to display Y of each central pixel of the two main dot patterns. All the pixels included in a right-angled isosceles triangle whose length of two sides orthogonal to each other is | ΔY | −1 are set as a sub-dot pattern, where the difference in coordinates is ΔY, and the display data generating means is adjacent to each other When two step portions are formed above and below the two main dot patterns, the two sides perpendicular to each other with ΔX being the difference in the X coordinate of the center pixel of each of the two main dot patterns All pixels included in a right isosceles triangle whose length is | ΔX | −1 are set as sub-dot patterns.

Preferably, when the main dot pattern shape determining unit determines the shape of the main dot pattern to be a rhombus, the display data generating unit sets the thickness of a line constituting the character or the graphic as W, The odd number closest to the value obtained by multiplying the number W by (2) ^1/2 is obtained as the number of pixels W ′, and a rhombus-shaped main dot pattern in which the lengths of two diagonal lines are each the number of pixels W ′ is arranged. Thus, the display data is generated.

  Preferably, the display data generation unit is configured to calculate an absolute value of a difference in X coordinate values from a center pixel of the arranged main dot pattern on a pixel corresponding to a straight line connecting the two sample points on the display screen. The rhombus-shaped main dot pattern is arranged centering on a pixel whose sum of absolute difference of Y coordinate values is equal to or greater than the number of pixels W ′.

  Preferably, the display data generating means is configured such that when the two main dot patterns are displaced from each other along the corresponding sides of the two main dot patterns arranged adjacent to each other, a step is formed. The X coordinate values of the pixels at the outermost positions on both sides of the corresponding sides of the two main dot patterns are X1 and X2 (where X1 <X2), respectively, and the X coordinate value is X1 or more and X2 In the following range, all the pixels located in each stepped portion are set as sub-dot patterns.

  Preferably, when the end point of the stroke overlaps with the start point of another stroke, the display data generating means arranges the display by arranging a composite pattern at the position of the end point of the stroke and the start point of the other stroke. Data is generated, and the composite pattern is obtained by previously synthesizing the main dot pattern to be arranged at the end point of the stroke and the main dot pattern to be arranged at the start point of the other stroke.

  The character graphic display method of the present invention is a character graphic display method for displaying a character or graphic on a display screen, and is a step of acquiring skeleton data representing the skeleton of the character or graphic to be displayed, The skeleton data includes stroke data representing strokes of the character or the figure, and the stroke data includes coordinate data of a plurality of sample points corresponding to the stroke, and lines constituting the character or the figure And determining the shape of the main dot pattern based on the thickness of each of the sample points and the coordinate data of two sample points adjacent to each other among the plurality of sample points corresponding to the stroke, and the determined shape, respectively. To display the character or the figure by arranging a plurality of main dot patterns so as not to overlap each other Comprising the steps of generating the display data.

  The present invention is a character graphic display program for causing a computer to execute each step of the character graphic display method.

  Further, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the character graphic display program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, the main dot pattern is arranged on the stroke according to the thickness of the line constituting the character or figure, and the shape is determined based on the positional relationship of the main dot pattern between the main dot patterns. By arranging the sub-dot pattern, it is possible to display a stroke having an arbitrary thickness so as to have a thickness and an end point suitable for the inclination of the stroke, thereby improving the visibility of characters. . Furthermore, by disposing the main dot pattern and the sub dot pattern so as not to overlap each other, redundant processing can be avoided and character display can be performed at high speed. Furthermore, during the screen scrolling, it is possible to display characters at high speed by setting only the rough shape of the characters according to the main dot pattern without arranging the sub-dot pattern.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, even when a character display device is mounted on a device with a low processing speed such as a mobile phone, it is possible to display a high-quality character at high speed with a low load. It becomes.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a character display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure example of skeleton data in the character display device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of skeleton data representing the skeleton shape of the Chinese character “tree”. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the skeleton of the skeleton data of the Chinese character “tree” in FIG. 3 is displayed on the coordinate plane. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure by the character display program according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of step S1050 of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of stroke data. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram in the case where display data (pixel data) in the real pixel coordinate system is generated from the stroke A in the skeleton data structure of FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for generating display data in the real pixel coordinate system from the stroke B in the skeleton data structure of FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram when display data in the real pixel coordinate system is generated from the stroke C in the skeleton data structure of FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of step S2030 of FIG. FIG. 12 shows the position of the stroke A shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 on a straight line (stroke) connecting the start point Ps and the end point Pe of the stroke A when the number of dots W indicating the display thickness is “9”. It is a figure which shows the state displayed by the main dot pattern of a 9-dot square centering on the pixel of the coordinate position P2 initially selected from the sample point to perform, and the pixel corresponding to the starting point Ps, respectively. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display state obtained by controlling the display device 2 based on display data generated when the stroke A of FIG. 7 is displayed with a display thickness of 9 dots. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of step S2040 of FIG. FIG. 15 shows a rhombus-shaped main dot pattern set around the coordinate position corresponding to the sample point (start point Ps) of coordinate data 1 when the stroke B in FIG. 7 is processed with a thickness W of 9 dots. FIG. FIG. 16 is a rhombus-shaped main dot pattern set around the coordinate position corresponding to the sample point (start point Ps) of coordinate data 1 when the stroke C in FIG. 7 is processed with a thickness W of 9 dots. FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating display states obtained by controlling the display device 2 based on display data generated when the stroke B illustrated in FIG. 7 is displayed with a display thickness of 9 dots. . FIG. 18 is a diagram showing display states obtained by controlling the display device 2 based on display data generated when the stroke C shown in FIG. 7 is displayed with a display thickness of 9 dots. . FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a polygonal line with two strokes A and C is drawn. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a pattern in which squares and rhombuses are combined. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the details of the drawing process in step S3010 in FIG. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the details of the drawing process in step S3110 in FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the details of the drawing process in step S4020 in FIG. FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining the details of the drawing process in step S4110 in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Character display device 2 Display device 3 Control unit 4 CPU
5 Main memory 6 Input device 7 Auxiliary storage device 8 Character display program 9 Skeletal data

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a character display device is illustrated and described as an embodiment of the present invention. However, this is intended to limit the present invention to a character display device capable of displaying only characters. is not. Since it is obvious that characters and figures can be handled in the same manner, the present invention is applied to a character graphic display device capable of displaying characters or figures (that is, only letters, only figures, or both letters and figures). It is also obvious that the invention can be applied. Such a character graphic display device is also within the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of an embodiment of a character display device of the present invention. The character display device 1 is, for example, a personal computer, and a display device 2 having a display screen capable of displaying a predetermined image such as a character in color, and a predetermined image such as a character displayed on the display screen of the display device 2. And a control unit 3 that controls the display device 2. The control unit 3 includes a CPU 4 and a main memory 5, and a display device 2, an input device 6, and an auxiliary storage device 7 are connected to the main memory 5.

  The display screen of the display device 2 is provided with a plurality of square pixels (pixels) in a matrix, and the control unit 3 controls the luminance value of each pixel independently, whereby characters or the like are displayed on the display screen. Is displayed.

  When the display device 2 is a general color liquid crystal display device, three sub-pixels that emit red, blue, and green light are assigned to one pixel. Then, by controlling the luminance value indicating the brightness level of each sub-pixel by the control unit 3, the color of each pixel is controlled, and characters and the like are displayed in color.

  The auxiliary storage device 7 includes a character display program 8 for causing the display device 2 to perform a character display operation by the control unit 3, and a skeleton that defines each skeleton shape for all characters displayed on the display device 2. Data is stored. Skeletal data is data related to all the line segments (strokes) that make up the skeleton (core) shape of the character. For every character that can be displayed on the display device 2, the skeleton data is set for each character. Has been.

  The CPU 4 provided in the control unit 3 monitors and controls the entire character display device 1, and stores the character display program 8 stored in the auxiliary storage device 7 in the main memory 5, and the character display program 8 is executed, characters as images are displayed on the display screen of the display device 2.

  The main memory 5 provided in the control unit 3 stores data input from the input device 6, skeleton data for displaying characters on the display device 2, a character display program necessary for executing the character display program 8, and the like. Store temporarily. The main memory 5 is accessed by the CPU 4.

  The CPU 4 stores the character display program 8 stored in the auxiliary storage device 7 in the main memory 5 and executes the character display program 8 stored in the main memory 5 based on the character information input from the input device 6. By doing so, a character pattern (pixel data) is generated. The generated character pattern is obtained by setting a luminance value for each of a predetermined number of pixels provided on the display screen of the display device 2 based on character information input from the input device 6. The generated character pattern is temporarily stored in the main memory 5 and then output to the display device 2. The timing at which the character pattern is output to the display device 2 is controlled by the CPU 4.

  The character information input by the input device 6 includes, for example, a character code for identifying the character, a character size indicating the character size, and the like. As the input device 6, any type of input device capable of inputting a character code, a character size, and the like can be used. For example, a keyboard, a mouse, a pen input device, and the like are preferably used as the input device 6.

  As the auxiliary storage device 7, any type of storage device capable of storing the character display program 8 and the skeleton data 9 can be used. For example, a recording medium that is detachable from the control device 3 Can be used as the auxiliary storage device 7. Examples of such a recording medium include a hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, floppy (registered trademark) disk, MD, DVD, IC card, optical card, and the like.

  The character display program 8 and the skeleton data 9 are not limited to being stored in the auxiliary storage device 7. For example, the character display program 8 and the skeleton data 9 may be stored in the main memory 5 or may be stored in a ROM (not shown). The ROM may be, for example, a mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash ROM, or the like. In the case of the ROM method, various processing variations can be easily realized by simply replacing the ROM. Therefore, the ROM method can be suitably applied to a portable terminal device, a mobile phone, and the like.

  Further, the recording medium for storing the character display program 8 and the skeleton data 9 is a program in a communication network other than a medium that holds the program or data fixedly, such as a storage device such as a disk or a card, a semiconductor memory, Alternatively, it may be a medium that fluidly carries a program or data, such as a communication medium used for communicating data.

  When the character display device 1 includes means for connecting to a communication line including the Internet, the character display program 8 and the skeleton data 9 can be downloaded from the communication line. In this case, a loader program necessary for downloading may be stored in advance in a ROM (not shown), or may be installed in the control unit 3 from the auxiliary storage device 7.

  An example of such a character display device 1 is a personal computer. In the case of a personal computer, either a desktop type or a laptop type may be used. The character display device of the present invention is not limited to a personal computer, and may be an electronic device or an information device having a display device capable of color display or monochrome display. For example, the character display device 1 may be an electronic device such as a word processor equipped with a color liquid crystal display device, a portable information terminal as a portable information tool, a mobile phone such as a PHS, a general telephone, or a communication device such as a FAX. .

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the data structure of the skeleton data for one character stored in the auxiliary storage device 7 shown in FIG. The skeleton data structure shown in FIG. 2 includes a character code for specifying a character and a total number M (M is an integer of 1 or more) of all strokes constituting the skeleton of one character specified by the character code. It is constituted by the total number of strokes to be shown and stroke data which is information necessary for specifying each stroke. The skeleton data (skeleton data) of the character specified by the character code is defined in advance and stored in the auxiliary storage device 7.

  Stroke data specifies each stroke on a skeleton coordinate plane having a predetermined size, for example, on a skeleton coordinate plane composed of XY coordinate planes having 256 × 256 coordinate points. Coordinate data of a plurality of sample points necessary for performing, and samples required for specifying one stroke on the coordinate plane for each of all strokes forming one character skeleton The total number N of points (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) and coordinate data that is the coordinate value of each of the N sample points.

  The total number N of sample points varies depending on the types of strokes that make up a character. For example, in the case of straight strokes such as vertical and horizontal lines that make up a character, the two sample points at the start and end points of each stroke are Is set. Also, in the stroke of the curve constituting the character, the start point and the end point, and one or more coordinate points located between them are set as sample points according to the state of the curve so that the curve is specified. . Therefore, one stroke is specified on the skeleton coordinate plane by connecting each sample point indicated by N coordinate data recorded as stroke data with a straight line. In the skeleton coordinate plane, the lower left coordinate is defined as the origin (0, 0), the upper direction is defined as the positive direction of the Y coordinate, and the right direction is defined as the positive direction of the X coordinate, as in the normal XY coordinate system. .

  Thus, one skeleton data includes M pieces of stroke data 13, and coordinate data of N sample points is set for each of the M pieces of strokes.

  FIG. 3 shows a skeleton data structure of the Chinese character “tree”, and FIG. 4 shows a skeleton shape shown on the skeleton coordinate plane by the skeleton data (skeleton data).

  In FIG. 3, in the skeleton data 9 of the Chinese character “tree”, the character code for designating the Chinese character “tree” is “4458” (JIS division code, 44 divisions 58 points), and the number of strokes is “4”. Is shown. The stroke data of a predetermined number of sample points is set for each of the four strokes # 1 to # 4. Stroke # 1 is the stroke of the horizontal line that makes up the Chinese character “tree”, Stroke # 2 is the stroke of the vertical line that makes up the Chinese character “tree”, and strokes # 3 and # 4 are the left and right strokes that make up the Chinese character “wood” Each stroke of each diagonal line (curve).

  Since stroke # 1 is a straight line (horizontal line), as the stroke data, coordinate data of two sample points of the start point and the end point are stored in that order, and the number N of sample points is “2”. As a sample point, (4, 192) and (245, 192) are set as the coordinate data 1 and 2 of the start point and the end point, respectively. Since stroke # 2 is a straight line (vertical line), as the stroke data, coordinate data of two sample points of the start point and the end point are stored in that order, and the number N of sample points is “2”. The coordinate data 1 (128, 255) as the start point and the coordinate data 2 (128, 0) as the end point are set.

  Stroke # 3 is a slanted line on the left side and is a gentle curve. As stroke data, coordinate data of three sample points is stored in addition to the two sample points of the start point and end point. “5” is set as the number N of sample points. As coordinate data of five sample points, coordinate data 1 (121, 192), coordinate data 2 (97, 141), coordinate data 3 (72, 103), Coordinate data 4 (41, 69) and coordinate data 5 (4, 42) are set in order from the start point to the end point. Stroke # 4 is a slanted line on the right side and has a gentle curve. Therefore, three sample points are stored as stroke data in addition to the two sample points of the start point and end point. “5” is set as the number N, and coordinate data 1 (135, 192), coordinate data 2 (156, 146), coordinate data 3 (182, 107), coordinate data are set as coordinate data of five sample points. 4 (213, 72) and coordinate data 5 (251, 42) are set in order from the start point to the end point.

  FIG. 4 shows all the strokes representing the skeleton shape of the Chinese character “tree” shown in FIG. 3 on the skeleton coordinate plane.

  In FIG. 4, the stroke # 1 is shown as a straight line connecting the start point (0, 192) and the end point (255, 192), and the stroke # 2 has the start point (128, 255) and the end point (128, 0). Shown as a connecting straight line. Stroke # 3 is shown as five sample points (121, 192), (97, 141), (72, 103), (41, 69) and (4, 42) connected in a straight line in order. . Stroke # 4 is shown as five sample points (135, 192), (156, 146), (182, 107), (213, 72) and (251, 42) connected in sequence by a straight line. .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure by the character display program 8 executed by the CPU 4. Below, the concrete process sequence of the character display program 8 is demonstrated in detail for every process.

  First, when character information including a character code and a character size (font size) is input from the input device 6, the CPU 4 acquires the input character information (see step S1000 in FIG. 5, the same applies hereinafter). For example, when the Chinese character “Thu” is displayed on the display screen of the display device 2, No. 4458 (JIS division code, 44 divisions 58 points) is input as character information from the input device 6. As the character size, the overall width and height sizes of characters displayed in the real pixel coordinate system are input as the number of pixels, respectively.

  When the character information input in step S1000 is acquired, the skeleton data 9 for one character corresponding to the input character code is read from the auxiliary storage device 7 and stored in the main memory 5 (step S1). S1010). In the case of the Chinese character “Tree”, the skeleton data 9 of the Chinese character “Tree” shown in FIG. 3 is read.

  When the skeleton data 9 is read in step S1010, all sample points are scaled for each stroke set in the skeleton data 9 (step S1020). Scaling is a calculation process for mapping coordinates on a coordinate plane having a certain size to coordinates on a coordinate plane having a different size. In the present invention, all sample points of each stroke in the skeleton coordinate plane are used. Is the arithmetic processing for converting the coordinate data into coordinate data of the actual pixel coordinate system on the display screen of the display device 2. The real pixel coordinate system shows each pixel on the display screen in which each pixel, each of which is a square, is arranged in a matrix, as coordinate data of coordinate points in the XY coordinates. For one character, the lower left pixel is defined as the origin (0, 0), the upper direction is defined as the positive direction of the Y coordinate, and the right direction is defined as the positive direction of the X coordinate. The coordinate points of the real pixel coordinate system correspond to each square pixel, and one dot on the display screen is constituted by each square pixel.

  In the following description, for simplicity, it is assumed that the coordinates of the skeleton coordinate plane and the coordinates of the real pixel coordinate system match.

  When the scaling in step S1020 is completed, the display thickness (line width) W of each stroke set in the skeleton data is set according to the input character size (step S1030). Details of this processing will be described later.

  When the display thickness W of each stroke is determined in step S1030, the stroke data of the first stroke set in the skeleton data structure read from the auxiliary storage device 7 is extracted (step S1040).

  When the first stroke data 13 is extracted from the skeleton data structure in step S1040, the stroke is displayed as the set display thickness W in the actual pixel coordinate system based on the extracted stroke data of one stroke. Display data necessary for this is generated (step S1050). Details of this processing will be described later.

  When the display data of the first stroke is generated in step S1050, it is determined whether or not the processing in steps S1040 to S1050 has been completed for all the strokes included in the skeleton data structure (step S1060). When display data is not generated for all strokes (when the determination result is “false (N)”), the process returns to step S1040, and the strokes for which display data has already been generated in the skeleton data structure. The same processing is performed for the stroke (second stroke) subsequent to (first stroke), and display data (pixel data) having a thickness W is generated. In this way, when the processing for all strokes is completed and the display data for all strokes has been generated (when the determination result is “true (Y)”), the character display processing is completed and generated. The displayed display data is supplied to the display device 2, and characters are displayed on the display device 2 with the set line width W.

  Next, details of the display thickness setting process in step S1030 in the processing procedure of the character display program 8 shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

  The display thickness W of the stroke is set so as to increase as the size of characters displayed on the display screen increases. In this case, for example, if any of the width and height of the character size displayed in the real pixel coordinate system on the display screen does not exceed 40 dots (pixels), 1 dot is set as the display thickness W. . Thereby, a character is displayed on the display screen of the display device 2 by setting each square pixel (1 dot) in the real pixel coordinate system as a line width.

  If the overall width and height of the displayed characters both exceed 40 dots, but either one does not exceed 80 dots, 3 dots (pixels) are set and set as the display thickness W One square (3 dots × 3 dots) or rhombus with one side as the number of dots is set as one main dot pattern, and pixels for displaying characters with the main dot pattern as the line width are set. Similarly, when the overall width and height of the displayed characters both exceed 80 dots, but either one does not exceed 128 dots, the display thickness W is 5 dots (pixels). A square or rhombus with 5 dots on one side is set as one main dot pattern. If the overall width and height of the displayed characters both exceed 128 dots, but either one does not exceed 192 dots, the display thickness W is set to 7 dots (pixels) A 7-dot square or rhombus is set as one main dot pattern. If the overall width and height of the displayed characters exceed 192 dots, 9 dots are set as the display thickness W, and a square or rhombus with a side of 9 dots is used as one main dot pattern. Set.

  The above-described method for setting the display thickness W of the stroke is to obtain a character display suitable for the displayed character size by increasing the line width of the displayed character as the size of the displayed character increases. However, the display thickness W may be set constant regardless of the character size. Further, the display thickness W may be set small according to the number of strokes of characters.

  Next, details of the display data generation processing (step S1050) for each stroke in the processing procedure by the character display program 8 of FIG. 5 will be described based on FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the stroke display data generation process (step S1050) shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 shows an example of character stroke data for which the stroke display data generation process shown in FIG. 6 is executed. It is a table.

  First, the stroke data 13 of all the strokes of the displayed character is acquired from the skeleton data structure (step S2010). In this case, for each stroke, the coordinate data 1 and the second coordinate data 2 of the first two sample points recorded in order as stroke data are acquired.

  For example, since the stroke data of the stroke A shown in FIG. 7 has two sample points, the stroke A is a straight line, the coordinate data 1 (27, 0) indicating the start point of the stroke A, and the end point. Coordinate data 2 (0, 9) is extracted. Similarly, since the number of sample points is two for the stroke B, coordinate data 1 (12, 0) indicating the start point of the straight line and coordinate data 2 (0, 27) indicating the end point are extracted. Further, the stroke C is also a straight line since the number of sample points is two, and coordinate data 1 (15, 0) indicating the start point of the straight line and coordinate data 2 (0, 27) indicating the end point are extracted. It is.

  8 is an explanatory diagram in the case of generating display data (pixel data) in the real pixel coordinate system from the stroke A in the skeleton data structure of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a stroke B in the skeleton data structure of FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for generating display data in the real pixel coordinate system. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for generating display data in the real pixel coordinate system from the stroke C in the skeleton data structure of FIG. .

  In step S2010, when the coordinate data of two sample points is extracted for the stroke in the skeleton data 9, it is determined whether the straight line connecting the two sample points extracted is an oblique line (step S2020). ).

  Specifically, in the skeleton coordinate plane, 0 ≦ θ <25 °, 65 ° ≦ θ <with respect to the straight line connecting the sample points indicated by the coordinate data 1 and 2, where θ is the inclination with respect to the positive direction of the X axis. If 113 °, 155 ° ≦ θ <205 °, 245 ° ≦ θ <295 °, or 335 ° ≦ θ <360 °, it is determined not to be a diagonal line (vertical line or horizontal line), otherwise Is determined to be a diagonal line.

  If it is determined in step S2020 that the straight line connecting the sample points indicated by coordinate data 1 and coordinate data 2 is an oblique line, the main dot pattern is set to a rhombus in step S2040 and the display data is displayed. If it is generated and it is determined that the line is not a diagonal line but a vertical line or a horizontal line, in step S2030, the main dot pattern is set to a square and display data is generated.

  In the stroke data shown in FIG. 7, the stroke A is determined not to be an oblique line because the inclination θ with respect to the positive direction of the X axis is 161.6 ° as shown in FIG. 8, and the main dot is determined in step S2030. Display data is generated with the pattern set to square. As shown in FIG. 9, the stroke B has an inclination θ of 114.0 ° with respect to the positive direction of the X axis, and therefore is determined to be an oblique line. In step S2040, the main dot pattern is set to a rhombus and displayed. Data is generated. In stroke C, as shown in FIG. 10, since the inclination θ with respect to the positive direction of the X axis is 119.1 °, it is determined to be an oblique line, and the main dot pattern is set to a diamond shape in step S2040 and displayed. Data is generated.

  If it is determined in step S2020 that the stroke is not an oblique line, a square main dot pattern having a predetermined number of dots on one side is used to obtain the display thickness W determined in step S1030 in FIG. Display data of a straight line connecting the sample points of coordinate data 1 and coordinate data 2 acquired in step S2030 is generated (step S2030). Details of this processing will be described later. A rectangular main dot pattern may be used instead of the square main dot pattern.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2020 that the stroke is an oblique line, a rhombus main dot pattern having a predetermined number of dots on one side so that the display thickness W is determined in step S1030 in FIG. Thus, display data of a straight line connecting the two coordinate data 1 acquired in step S2020 and the sample points of the coordinate data 2 is generated (step S2040). Details of this processing will also be described later.

  In step S2030 or step S2040, when the display data regarding the display thickness W of the straight line connecting the coordinate data of the first and second sample points in each stroke is obtained, the coordinates of the third sample point are used as stroke data in each stroke. It is confirmed whether or not the data 3 exists, and if the coordinate data 3 exists, the processing from step S2010 to step S2030 or step S2040 is repeated, and a straight line connecting the points of the coordinate data 2 and the coordinate data 3 is displayed. Display data is generated (step S2050). When the display data is generated for a straight line connecting the sample points included in the skeleton data structure in order for one stroke, the display data generation processing for the stroke in step S1050 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 ends.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a display processing procedure for generating display data of a square main dot pattern performed in step S2030 when it is determined in step S2020 shown in FIG. 6 that the line is not a diagonal line. Below, based on this FIG. 11 and FIG. 8 which is explanatory drawing with respect to the stroke A of FIG. 7, the procedure of the display data generation process by a square main dot pattern is demonstrated.

  In FIG. 8, for the stroke A shown in FIG. 7, a display thickness W = 9 and a square with 9 dots (pixels) on one side is set as the main dot pattern in the real pixel coordinate system.

  If it is determined in step S2020 shown in FIG. 6 that the stroke is not a diagonal line, the stroke A corresponding to the coordinate data 1 acquired first from the coordinate data of the two sample points acquired in step S2010. A pixel constituting a square main dot pattern having W dots on one side corresponding to the display thickness W set in step 1030 of FIG. Then, the starting point Ps is set to the point G (step S3010).

  Next, the coordinates of the pixel on the stroke A adjacent to the end point Pe side with respect to the point G are obtained by Bresenham's algorithm and set to a new point G (step S3020). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the straight line connecting the start point Ps and the end point Pe of the stroke is a vertical line (step S3030). In this case, if the angle θ between the straight line corresponding to the stroke A and the X axis satisfies 45 ° ≦ θ <135 ° or 225 ° ≦ θ <315 °, it is determined as a vertical line. When the angle θ between the straight line corresponding to the stroke A and the X axis is not within the above range, it is determined as a horizontal line.

  If it is determined that the straight line of the stroke connecting the start point Ps and the end point Pe is a vertical line, the process proceeds to step S3070. If it is determined that the stroke is not a vertical line, the process proceeds to step S3040.

  In the case shown in FIG. 8, the inclination θ with respect to the positive direction of the X axis of the straight line connecting the start point Ps and the end point Pe of the stroke is θ = 14.0 ° as described above. Instead, it is determined that the line is a horizontal line, and the process of step S3040 is executed.

  In step S3040, the absolute value | ΔX | of the difference between the X coordinate value of the real pixel coordinate system corresponding to the newly set point G and the X coordinate value of the real pixel coordinate system corresponding to the center point F is It is determined whether or not it matches the number of dots (= W) indicating the display thickness W. If the absolute value | ΔX | matches the number of dots W (| ΔX | = W), the process proceeds to step S3050.

  In FIG. 8, since W = 9 and the point G is adjacent to the point F, since | ΔX | = 1, the process proceeds to step S3100. In step S3100, it is confirmed that the point G does not correspond to the stroke end point Pe, and the process returns to step S3020 to obtain the coordinates of the pixel on the stroke A adjacent to the point G on the end point Pe side. A new point G is assumed. Then, it is confirmed whether the straight line connecting the start point Ps and the end point Pe of the stroke is a vertical line (step S3030), the X coordinate value of the real pixel coordinate system corresponding to the newly set point G, and the center point F It is determined whether the absolute value | ΔX | of the difference from the X coordinate value of the real pixel coordinate system corresponding to is equal to the dot number (= W) indicating the display thickness W (step S3040). Thereafter, if | ΔX | = W is not satisfied in step S3040, the processes in steps S3100 to S3020 to S3030 to step S3040 are repeated until | ΔX | = W.

  In FIG. 8, pixel points G that are sequentially obtained by Bresenham's algorithm with respect to the starting point Ps of the stroke A are indicated by “x” marks.

  If it is determined in step S3100 that the point G corresponds to the stroke end point Pe, the process proceeds to step S3110, and the pixels constituting the square main dot pattern having the number of dots on one side W and centered on the point G are set. Is set, and the process proceeds to step S2050 of FIG.

  In step S3040, when | ΔX | = W, the process proceeds to step S3050, and the pixels constituting the square main dot pattern with the number of dots on one side W are set centering on the set point G. At this time, in step S3040, the absolute value of the difference between the X coordinate value of the pixel corresponding to the point G and the X coordinate value of the pixel corresponding to the center point F matches the number of dots W indicating the display thickness of the stroke. Therefore, the main dot pattern set with the point G as the center and the main dot pattern with the center point F as the center do not overlap each other and are in contact with each other in the X direction. The point G that becomes the center of the main dot pattern is set as a new center point F.

  FIG. 12 shows a square main dot pattern 21 set when the number of dots W indicating the display thickness is “9” with the start point Ps of the stroke A shown in FIGS. A square main dot pattern 22 set adjacent to the main dot pattern is shown. The main dot pattern 21 set with the start point Ps of the stroke A as the center point F is shown in white, and the main dot pattern 22 set in contact with the main dot pattern 21 is shown in black solid.

  Thus, when the square main dot patterns 21 and 22 having one side equal to the number of dots indicating the display thickness W are set adjacent to each other in step S3050, each main dot pattern 21 and 22 is set in step S3060. The absolute value | ΔY | of the difference between the Y-coordinates of the point F and the point G that are the centers of the points is calculated. In the case of 1 <| ΔY |, the respective step portions formed by the displacement of the main dot patterns 21 and 22 in the Y-axis direction are in contact with the main dot patterns 21 and 22, respectively, and in the X and Y directions. All the pixels included in an isosceles triangle each having a length in the X direction and the Y direction of each of “| ΔY | −1” pixels arranged adjacent to each other as sub-dot patterns select. That is, not only a pixel in which all of the pixels are included in the isosceles triangle but also a pixel in which a part of the pixel is included in the isosceles triangle is selected as the sub-dot pattern.

  In the case of FIG. 12 in which the stroke A of FIG. 7 is displayed with a display thickness of 9 dots, 81 dots constituting a 9 dot × 9 dot square main dot pattern 21 with the starting point Ps of the stroke A as the center point F. And the coordinate data of 81 pixels constituting the 9 dot × 9 dot square main dot pattern 22 adjacent to the main dot pattern 21 are set as display data (pixel data). . In this case, since the absolute value | ΔY | of the differences in the Y-axis direction of the main dot patterns 21 and 22 is “3”, the main dot patterns 21 and 22 are formed so as to be shifted in the Y-axis direction. In the step portion, each of the two pixels arranged in contact with each of the main dot patterns 21 and 22 and arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction and the Y direction has a length in each of the X direction and the Y direction. Three pixels included in the equilateral triangle (shown by a shaded pattern in FIG. 12) are set as sub-dot patterns 23 and 24, respectively.

  When the sub-dot pattern is set in this way, it is checked in step S3120 whether the point G does not correspond to the end point Pe of the stroke A, and if it does not correspond to the end point Pe of the stroke, step S3020. Thereafter, the same processing is repeated.

  When it is confirmed that the point G is the stroke end point Pe, the process proceeds to step S2050 in FIG. 6 and it is confirmed that the processing for all coordinate positions included in one stroke is completed. When it is confirmed that the processing for all coordinate positions included in one stroke has been completed, the process proceeds to step S1050 in FIG. 5 and the same processing is performed for the other strokes constituting the character. Thus, display data for all strokes constituting the character is generated.

  In the above description, the processing procedure in the case where the straight line connecting the stroke start point Ps and the end point Pe is regarded as a horizontal line instead of a vertical line in step S3030 has been described. In step S3030, the stroke start point Ps and end point Pe are described. When it is determined that the straight line connecting the two is a vertical line, the process proceeds to step S3070. In step S3070, the point G and the center point F of the adjacent coordinate positions obtained in step S3020 are Y in the real pixel coordinate system. It is determined whether or not the absolute value | ΔY | of the coordinate value difference matches the number of dots (= W) indicating the display thickness W. If the absolute value | ΔY | matches the number of dots W (| ΔY | = W), the process advances to step S3080 to set a square main dot pattern with the number of dots W on one side centered on the point G. At this time, since it is confirmed in step S3070 that the absolute value of the difference between the Y coordinate values of the pixels corresponding to the point G and the center point F matches the number of dots W indicating the display thickness of the stroke, The main dot pattern set with G as the center does not overlap with the main dot pattern set with respect to the center point F, and is in a state of being in contact with each other in the Y direction.

  If the absolute value | ΔY | does not match the number of dots W in step S3070, the process proceeds to step S3100. In step S3100, it is confirmed that the point G is not the stroke end point Pe, and the process returns to step S3020. The coordinate position of the pixel adjacent to G is determined by Bresenham's algorithm as point G, and thereafter, the processing in steps S3030 to S3070 is repeated.

  In this manner, when a square main dot pattern having a side equal to the number of dots indicating the display thickness W is set in step S3070, the actual pixel coordinate system between the point G and the immediately preceding center point F is set in step S3090. When the absolute value | ΔX | of the difference between the X coordinate values at 1 is calculated and 1 <| ΔX |, the main dot pattern centered on the point G and the main dot pattern centered on the point F are Assuming that stepped portions are formed by shifting in the direction, each stepped portion is in contact with each main dot pattern and is adjacent to each other in the X and Y directions. "All pixels included in an isosceles triangle having the length in the X direction and the Y direction of each of the pixels as one side are set as sub-dot patterns.

  Note that the sub-dot pattern setting process in steps S3060 and S3090 may be omitted when the display screen is being scrolled. Further, it may be omitted even when the inclination of the stroke is close to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. This makes it possible to prioritize the drawing speed by reducing the drawing processing in a scene where the effect of the pattern filling the step of the line segment on the appearance of the output result is slight.

  When the sub-dot pattern is selected in this way, it is confirmed in step S3120 whether the point G does not correspond to the stroke end point Pe. If the point G does not correspond to the stroke end point Pe, the process proceeds to step S3020. Returning, the processing after step S3020 is repeated.

  If it is confirmed in step S3120 that the point G corresponds to the stroke end point Pe, as described above, the process proceeds to step S2050 in FIG. 6 to perform processing for all coordinate positions included in one stroke. Check that it has finished. When it is confirmed that the processing for all coordinate positions included in one stroke has been completed, the process proceeds to step S1050 in FIG. 5 and the same processing is performed for the other strokes constituting the character. Thus, display data for all strokes constituting the character is generated.

  FIG. 13 shows a display state obtained by controlling the display device 2 based on display data generated when the stroke A of FIG. 7 is displayed with a display thickness of 9 dots. As described above, even when the strokes constituting the character are regarded as horizontal lines instead of vertical lines, the thickness W is obtained by forming the sub-dot patterns at the step portions between the main dot patterns adjacent to each other. The main dot patterns are displayed smoothly and continuously, and the visibility when the stroke is displayed thickly is remarkably improved.

  In the above description, in step S2020 in FIG. 6, the straight line connecting the coordinate data 1 of the first sample point and the coordinate data 2 of the second sample point recorded in order as stroke data is not a diagonal line (vertical line). Or a horizontal line), a straight line connecting the sample point of the coordinate data 1 and the sample point of the second coordinate data 2 in FIG. The specific process of step S2040 when it is determined will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In this case as well, pixels adjacent in order from the start point Ps are set as the coordinate point G located on the straight line (stroke) connecting the start point Ps and the end point Pe of the stroke A by Bresenham's algorithm. A point G and a center point F extracted by Bresenham's algorithm for the stroke B and the stroke C in FIG. 7 are shown in FIGS.

If it is determined that the straight line connecting the start point Ps and the end point Pe is an oblique line, first, in step S1030 of the flowchart of FIG. 5, the set display thickness W is multiplied by “(2) ^1/2 ” ( W × (2) ^1/2 ) to obtain one or more odd numbers W ′ closest to the multiplication result (see step S4010 in FIG. 14, the same applies hereinafter).

  In step S4010, when one or more odd numbers W ′ are obtained, the obtained W ′ is determined for each of the two diagonal lines with the pixel corresponding to the start point Ps (sample point of coordinate data 1) as the center point F. A diamond shape corresponding to the number of dots is set as a main dot pattern (step S4020).

FIGS. 15 and 16 show, as the center point F, the coordinate position corresponding to the sample point (start point Ps) of the coordinate data 1 when the stroke B and the stroke C in FIG. The set rhombus-shaped main dot pattern 21 is shown in white. Since each diamond-shaped main dot pattern 21 has a display thickness W = 9, in step S4010, W ′ is a diagonal line that is an odd number closest to 9 × (2) ^1/2 = 12.73. It is set as the number of dots of length.

  In this way, when the rhombus-shaped main dot pattern for the stroke start point Ps is set, the coordinates of pixels adjacent to the point Pe side with respect to the point G are obtained by Bresenham's algorithm, and the new point G and (Step S4030). Since Bresenham's algorithm is well-known, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the point G is obtained in step S4030, the absolute value | ΔX | of the difference between the X coordinate values of the real pixel coordinate system corresponding to the obtained point G and the center point F and the absolute value of the difference between the respective Y coordinate values. It is determined whether the sum of the values | ΔY | is equal to or greater than W ′ obtained in step S4010 (| ΔX | + | ΔY | ≧ W ′) (step S4040).

  If | ΔX | + | ΔY | ≧ W ′ is not satisfied in step S4040, the process proceeds to step S4090, confirms that the point G does not correspond to the stroke end point Pe, returns to step S4120, and returns to point G40. Then, the coordinates of the pixel adjacent to the end point Pe side are obtained and set as a new point G (step S4030), and it is determined whether | ΔX | + | ΔY | ≧ W ′ (step S4040). Thereafter, the processes in steps S4090 to S4120 to S4030 to S4040 are repeated until | ΔX | + | ΔY | ≧ W ′.

  Then, when a point G satisfying | ΔX | + | ΔY | ≧ W ′ is obtained, a rhombus shape in which each of the two diagonal lines has the number of dots W ′ with the point as the center point F is a main dot pattern. (Step S4050).

  The rhombus-shaped main dot pattern set in this way is the rhombus-shaped main dot pattern set immediately before the center point F in order to satisfy | ΔX | + | ΔY | ≧ W ′. There is no risk of overlapping.

  If the point G corresponds to the stroke end point Pe, the diamond at the point G (end point Pe) is the main dot pattern center F and the two diagonal lines have the number of dots W ′. The main dot pattern is set (step S4100), and the process ends.

  In the stroke B shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 9, ΔX at the point G of the coordinates (8, 9) obtained by Bresenham's algorithm with respect to the coordinates (12, 0) of the start point Ps. The sum of the absolute value and the absolute value of ΔY is 13 (= W ′) (| ΔX | = 5, | ΔY | = 9), which satisfies the condition of | ΔX | + | ΔY | ≧ W ′ in step S4040. As shown in FIG. 15, a rhombus shape having 13 dots on each diagonal line with a point G at coordinates (8, 9) as the center is set as a main dot pattern 32 (indicated by solid black).

  Further, in the stroke C shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 10, at the point G of the coordinates (10, 9) obtained by Bresenham's algorithm with respect to the coordinates (15, 0) of the starting point Ps, The sum of the absolute value of ΔX and the absolute value of ΔY is 14 (| ΔX | = 5, | ΔY | = 9), which is larger than W ′ (= 13). Therefore, since the point G at the coordinates (10, 9) satisfies the condition | ΔX | + | ΔY | ≧ W ′ in step S4040, the point G at the coordinates (10, 9) is centered as shown in FIG. A rhombus shape with 13 diagonal lines is set as the main dot pattern 32 (indicated by a solid black pattern). In this case, the sum of the absolute value of ΔX and the absolute value of ΔY is not equal to the number of dots W ′, and there is a difference of 1 dot. A gap (indicated by hatching in FIG. 16) is formed between the sides facing each other.

  In this way, in step S4050, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a rhombus-shaped main dot pattern 32 having a diagonal corresponding to the display thickness W is set adjacent to the main dot pattern 31. As a result, the adjacent sides of the main dot patterns 31 and 32 that are close to each other (sides that are in close contact with each other without forming a gap, or sides that are formed with a gap between them, are collectively shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The main dot patterns 31 and 32 are shifted from each other along the side B). Accordingly, the main dot patterns 31 orthogonal to the adjacent side B and the adjacent side B, respectively. And the step part is formed by the side C and the side A of 32 respectively. Then, the sub-dot patterns 33 (indicated by the shaded pattern) are respectively set so as to fill those stepped portions (step S4060).

  Each sub-dot pattern 33 has the X-coordinate values of the pixels located at the outermost positions on both sides of the adjacent sides B of the main dot patterns 31 and 32 as X1 and X2 (where X1 <X2), respectively. Then, all the pixels located in the respective step portions within the range where the X coordinate value is X1 or more and X2 or less are set as the sub dot pattern 33.

  Thereafter, the absolute value | ΔX | of the difference between the X coordinate value of the real pixel coordinate system corresponding to the point G and the X coordinate value of the pixel of the real pixel coordinate system corresponding to the center point F, and the difference between the respective Y coordinate values It is determined whether the sum of the absolute value | ΔY | and the absolute value | ΔY | is greater than W ′ obtained in step S4010 (| ΔX | + | ΔY |> W ′) (step S4070). When | ΔX | + | ΔY |> W ′ is satisfied, since the adjacent sides of the main dot patterns 31 and 32 are not in close contact with each other, there is a pixel that forms a gap therebetween. Accordingly, all of the pixels forming the gap are set as the correction dot pattern 34 (step S4080).

  When the main dot pattern, the sub dot pattern, and the correction dot pattern are set in this way, it is confirmed whether the point G corresponds to the stroke end point Pe (step S4110) and corresponds to the stroke end point Pe. If not, the process returns to step S4030, and the operations after step S4030 are repeated.

  Note that the setting process of the sub-dot pattern and the correction dot pattern in steps S4060 and S4080 may be omitted when the display screen is being scrolled. Further, the stroke may be omitted even when the inclination of the stroke is close to the 45 degree direction, the 135 degree direction, the 225 degree direction, or the 315 degree direction. This makes it possible to prioritize the drawing speed by reducing the drawing processing in a scene where the effect of the pattern filling the step of the line segment on the appearance of the output result is slight.

  Thereafter, when it is confirmed that the point G corresponds to the end point Pe of the stroke (step S4110), the process returns to step S2050 in FIG. 6 to check whether the processing for all the coordinate points in one stroke is completed. If processing for all coordinate points for one stroke has been completed, the process returns to step S1060 in FIG. 5 to determine whether display data generation processing for all strokes included in one character has been completed. When the display data generation process for all strokes has been completed, the display data generation process for one character is completed.

  17 and 18 are displays obtained by controlling the display device 2 based on display data generated when the strokes B and C shown in FIG. 7 are displayed with a display thickness of 9 dots. Each state is shown. In any case, the respective corner portions are formed by diagonal lines orthogonal to each other at the end points of each stroke, and the steps between the main dot patterns are relaxed and visually recognized. In addition, the visibility is remarkably improved.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram in which a point on a straight line connecting the start point and the end point of each of stroke A and stroke C is represented by a rectangle when the stroke A is drawn starting from the end point R where the stroke C is drawn. Here, at the point indicated by R, the start point of the stroke A overlaps the end point of the stroke C. Thus, the drawing procedure when the start point of a certain stroke overlaps the end point of another stroke is as follows.

  Basically, the stroke C is drawn according to the same procedure as shown in FIG. 14, and the stroke A is drawn according to the same procedure as shown in FIG. When the start point and the end point overlap, the main dot pattern drawing process at the start point and the end point (specifically, the drawing processes at steps S3010 and S3110 in FIG. 11 and steps S4020 and S4100 in FIG. 14) are as follows. Done by the procedure.

  The drawing process in step S3010 in FIG. 11 is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. The drawing process procedure of FIG. 21 will be described below.

  Step S7010: The current processing point G and the previous drawing center point F are set as starting points. When the start point of the stroke overlaps with the end point of another stroke (that is, when the coordinates of the start point of the stroke are the same as the coordinates of the end point of the other stroke), the process of step S3010 ends. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S7020.

  Step S7020: A square whose width and height are both the stroke width W is drawn around the start point, and the process of step S3010 is completed.

  The drawing process in step S3110 in FIG. 11 is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. The drawing process procedure of FIG. 22 will be described below.

  Step S5010: If the end point of the stroke overlaps the start point of another stroke (that is, if the coordinates of the end point of the stroke are the same as the coordinates of the start point of the other stroke), the process proceeds to step S5020. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S5030.

  Step S5020: It is determined by a method similar to step S2020 in FIG. 6 whether or not the stroke where the start point and end point of another stroke overlap is an oblique line. If it is determined that the line is an oblique line, the process proceeds to step S5040. If not, the process proceeds to step S5030.

  Step S5030: A square having both a width and a height of the stroke W around the point G is drawn, and the process of step S3110 ends.

  Step S5040: A combined pattern of a square having a width W and a stroke thickness W both centered on the point G and a rhombus having a height W 'is drawn, and the process of step S3110 is completed.

  Here, W ′ is obtained by the same method as in step S4010 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the composite pattern is a pattern generated by combining a square and a rhombus in advance on a memory. That is, the drawing of the composite pattern is achieved by drawing by simply copying a composite pattern that has been generated in advance, instead of drawing individually by superimposing the rhombus and the square. As a result, the waste of redundantly painting pixels is reduced, so that high speed is realized. It should be noted that the synthesis process can be reduced by holding and reusing the synthesis pattern generated in advance in the memory with a mechanism like a cache memory using the slopes of the two line segments as parameters.

  The drawing process in step S4020 in FIG. 14 is processed according to the procedure shown in FIG. The drawing process procedure of FIG. 23 will be described below.

  Step S8010: The current processing point G and the previous drawing center point F are set as starting points. When the start point of the stroke overlaps with the end point of another stroke (that is, when the coordinates of the start point of the stroke are the same as the coordinates of the end point of the other stroke), the process of step S4020 ends. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S8020.

  Step S8020: Draw a rhombus whose two diagonals are both W 'around the start point, and the process of Step 4020 is completed.

  The drawing process in step S4110 in FIG. 14 is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. The drawing process procedure in FIG. 24 will be described below.

  Step S6010: When the end point of the stroke overlaps with the start point of another stroke (that is, when the coordinates of the end point of the stroke are the same as the coordinates of the start point of another stroke), the process proceeds to step S6020. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S6030.

  Step S6020: It is determined by a method similar to step S2020 in FIG. 6 whether or not the stroke where the start point and the end point of another stroke overlap is an oblique line. If it is determined that the line is an oblique line, the process proceeds to step S6040; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S6030.

  Step S6030: A composite pattern of a square having a width W and a stroke thickness W both centered on the point G and a rhombus having a height W 'is drawn, and the process of step S4110 is completed. The synthetic pattern drawing method is the same as the synthetic pattern drawing method in step S5040 of FIG.

  Step S6040: A diamond having two diagonal lines W 'around the point G is drawn, and the process of step S4110 ends.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a stroke of a character or a figure is displayed with an arbitrary line width, the display size is set to have a thickness and an end point suitable for the inclination of the stroke. Even when the size is increased, the visibility of characters or figures is remarkably improved. Furthermore, by arranging a plurality of main dot patterns so as not to overlap each other and arranging the main dot patterns and sub dot patterns so as not to overlap, redundant processing can be avoided and character graphic display processing can be performed at high speed. Can be performed. Furthermore, by displaying only the approximate shape of the character or figure using the main dot pattern without performing the sub-dot pattern arrangement process during screen scrolling, the character / graphic display process can be performed at higher speed. .

  As mentioned above, although this invention has been illustrated using preferable embodiment of this invention, this invention should not be limited and limited to this embodiment. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be construed only by the claims. It is understood that those skilled in the art can implement an equivalent range from the description of specific preferred embodiments of the present invention based on the description of the present invention and common general technical knowledge. Patents, patent applications, and documents cited herein should be incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if the contents themselves were specifically described herein. Understood.

  According to the present invention, when displaying strokes of characters or figures with an arbitrary line width in an electronic apparatus or the like equipped with a display device that displays characters or figures on a display screen, such as a mobile phone or a liquid crystal television. In addition, it is possible to display with a thickness and end points suitable for the inclination of the stroke, and to display characters or graphics at high speed and high quality.

Claims (17)

A character graphic display device for displaying characters or figures on a display screen,
Skeleton data acquisition means for acquiring skeleton data representing a skeleton of a character or a graphic to be displayed, wherein the skeleton data includes stroke data representing a stroke of the character or the graphic, and the stroke data includes the stroke Skeleton data acquisition means including coordinate data of a plurality of sample points corresponding to
A main dot that determines the shape of the main dot pattern based on the thickness of the line constituting the character or the figure and the coordinate data of two sample points adjacent to each other among the plurality of sample points corresponding to the stroke Pattern shape determining means;
A character graphic comprising: display data generating means for generating display data for displaying the character or the graphic by arranging a plurality of main dot patterns each having the determined shape so as not to overlap each other Display device.   2. The character graphic display according to claim 1, wherein the display data generation unit generates the display data by arranging at least one sub-dot pattern so as to fill a step formed by the plurality of main dot patterns. apparatus.   2. The character graphic display device according to claim 1, wherein the main dot pattern shape determining means determines the shape of the main dot pattern as one of a square and a rhombus according to an inclination of a straight line connecting the two sample points.   The main dot pattern shape determining means determines whether or not the straight line connecting the two sample points is an oblique line, and when it is determined that the straight line connecting the two sample points is an oblique line, The shape of the main dot pattern is determined to be a rhombus, and when it is determined that the straight line connecting the two sample points is not a diagonal line, the shape of the main dot pattern is determined to be a square. Character graphic display device.   In the main dot pattern shape determining means, the inclination θ of the straight line connecting the two sample points is 0 ° ≦ θ <25 °, 65 ° ≦ θ <113 °, 155 ° ≦ θ <205 °, 245 ° ≦ θ. If <295 ° or 335 ° ≦ θ <360 °, it is determined that the straight line connecting the two sample points is not a diagonal line; otherwise, the straight line connecting the two sample points is a diagonal line The character graphic display device according to claim 4, wherein the character graphic display device is determined to be.   2. The character graphic display device according to claim 1, wherein the main dot pattern shape determining means determines the number of pixels on each side of the main dot pattern in accordance with a thickness of a line constituting the character or the graphic.   2. The character graphic according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of a line constituting the character or the graphic is set according to a size of the character or the graphic or a number of lines constituting the character or the graphic. Display device.   3. The character graphic display device according to claim 2, wherein the display data generation unit does not arrange the sub-dot pattern when the display screen is being scrolled or when the stroke inclination is close to a predetermined direction. .   When the main dot pattern shape determining means determines the shape of the main dot pattern to be square, the display data generating means is a pixel on the display screen corresponding to one sample point of the two sample points. A square main dot pattern having a predetermined number of pixels on each side, and a central pixel of the arranged main dot pattern on a pixel corresponding to a straight line connecting the two sample points on the display screen The display data is generated by arranging a square main dot pattern with each side having the predetermined number of pixels around a pixel having a difference between the X coordinate value or the Y coordinate value from the predetermined number of pixels. The character graphic display device according to claim 4. In the case where step portions are formed on the left and right sides of two main dot patterns arranged adjacent to each other, the display data generation unit is configured to obtain a difference between Y coordinates of central pixels of the two main dot patterns. Is set as ΔY, and all pixels included in a right-angled isosceles triangle whose length of two sides orthogonal to each other is | ΔY | −1 are set as sub-dot patterns,
In the case where step portions are respectively formed above and below two main dot patterns arranged adjacent to each other, the display data generation means is configured to obtain a difference between X coordinates of central pixels of the two main dot patterns. The character graphic display device according to claim 9, wherein ΔX is set as a sub-dot pattern for all pixels included in a right-angled isosceles triangle whose length of two sides orthogonal to each other is | ΔX | −1. In the case where the main dot pattern shape determining means determines the shape of the main dot pattern as a rhombus, the display data generating means sets the thickness of the lines constituting the character or the figure as W and sets the number of pixels to W. (2) By obtaining the odd number closest to the value multiplied by ^1/2 as the pixel number W ′, and arranging the rhombus-shaped main dot pattern in which the length of two diagonal lines is the pixel number W ′, respectively, The character graphic display device according to claim 4, wherein the display data is generated.   The display data generation unit is configured to generate an absolute value and a Y coordinate value of a difference in X coordinate values from a central pixel of the arranged main dot pattern on a pixel corresponding to a straight line connecting the two sample points on the display screen. 12. The character graphic display device according to claim 11, wherein the rhombus-shaped main dot pattern is arranged centering on a pixel having a sum of absolute values of differences between the pixel values W ′ and the number of pixels as a center.   The display data generation means, when the two main dot patterns are shifted from each other along the corresponding sides of the two main dot patterns arranged adjacent to each other, The X coordinate values of the pixels at the outermost positions on both sides of the corresponding sides of one main dot pattern are X1 and X2 (where X1 <X2), respectively, and the X coordinate value is in the range of X1 to X2 The character graphic display device according to claim 11, wherein all the pixels located in each stepped portion are set as a sub-dot pattern.   When the end point of the stroke overlaps the start point of another stroke, the display data generation unit generates the display data by arranging a composite pattern at the position of the end point of the stroke and the start point of the other stroke. 2. The character according to claim 1, wherein the composite pattern is a combination of a main dot pattern to be placed at the end point of the stroke and a main dot pattern to be placed at the start point of the other stroke. Graphic display device. A character / graphic display method for displaying characters or figures on a display screen,
Obtaining skeleton data representing a skeleton of a character or graphic to be displayed, the skeleton data including stroke data representing a stroke of the character or graphic, the stroke data corresponding to the stroke A step including coordinate data of a plurality of sample points;
Determining the shape of the main dot pattern based on the thickness of a line constituting the character or the figure and the coordinate data of two sample points adjacent to each other among the plurality of sample points corresponding to the stroke; ,
Generating a display data for displaying the character or the figure by arranging a plurality of main dot patterns each having the determined shape so as not to overlap each other.   A character graphic display program for causing a computer to execute each step of the character graphic display method according to claim 15.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the character graphic display program according to claim 16 is recorded.