JP3471939B2 - Character pattern generating apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character pattern generating apparatus and method having a plurality of character pattern processing resources for analyzing input character information and generating a character pattern.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a character pattern generating process in a character pattern generating device of this type is calculated by a calculation from a control point.
It was done by outline generation to find the outline of characters, but now that many types of fonts are handled, it is necessary to hold huge font data when trying to generate characters by this method, so the data reduction method There was an urgent need to think about.

Therefore, a stroke synthesizing method has been created in which data is stored in units of strokes or radicals and these are synthesized to generate a character. Since the same stroke or radical can be used for many kinds of characters, the amount of data can be reduced as compared with the previous method.

Conventionally, in outline font pattern development using hardware, each time, font data, hinting means, interpolation means, filling means, etc. are matched with a predetermined method in the apparatus, or font data prepared in advance, The device was designed according to hinting means, interpolation means, filling means, and the like.

[0005]

However, when creating a long sentence, a repetitive phenomenon of the same work occurs, such as having to generate a calling pattern for different characters of the same stroke or radical data. It was

Further, since it is necessary to prepare an apparatus adapted to the font data, the hinting section, the interpolation section, the painting section, etc. prepared in advance, there is a problem that a great amount of labor and a price increase are caused. .

Further, when dealing with various types of fonts, there is a problem that the font data data becomes enormous and a large memory must be used.

One embodiment of the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. By storing frequently generated characters, radicals and strokes, the generated data is cached and stored. It is an object of the present invention to provide a character pattern generation device and method that can prevent repetition of the same operation and simplify a series of operations in character pattern generation.

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a character pattern generator according to the present invention is a first discriminating means for discriminating whether or not coordinate data of a target character in outline form is cached. And a second discriminating means for discriminating whether the contour data of the target character is cached when the contour data of the target character is not cached. When it is determined by the second determining means that the coordinate data of the contour shape of the target radical is not cached,
Third discrimination means for discriminating whether or not the contour-format coordinate data of the target stroke is cached, and if the third discrimination means determines that the contour-format coordinate data of the target stroke is not cached, The stroke data is acquired, the acquired target stroke data is subjected to coordinate conversion, converted into contour format coordinate data, and cached, and the third determination means caches the contour data of the target stroke. If it is determined that the contour-shaped coordinate data that has been cached is obtained, and if it is determined that the contour-format coordinate data of the target radical has been cached by the second determining means, it is cached. The outline format coordinate data is acquired, and the outline format coordinate data of the target character is acquired by the first discriminating means. If it is determined that the cached data is cached, it has an acquisition unit for acquiring the cached contour-shaped coordinate data, and a unit for performing filling based on the contour-formatted coordinate data acquired by the acquisition unit. Characterize.

[0012]

The character pattern generating method of the present invention is
A first determining step of determining whether or not the contour-shaped coordinate data of the target character is cached, and if the first determination step determines that the contour-shaped coordinate data of the target character is not cached, A second determining step of determining whether or not the radical contour coordinate data is cached, and if it is determined by the second determining step that the radical contour coordinate data is not cached, A third step of determining whether or not the coordinate data of the contour format of the target stroke is cached
When it is determined in the determination step and the third determination step that the coordinate data of the contour form of the target stroke is not cached, the target stroke data is acquired,
When it is determined that the acquired stroke data of the target stroke is subjected to coordinate conversion, converted into the coordinate data of the contour format, and cached, and the coordinate data of the contour format of the target stroke is cached by the third determination step. , The cached contour format coordinate data is acquired, and when the contour format coordinate data of the target radical is determined to be cached in the second determining step, the cached contour format coordinate data is determined. If it is determined that the contour format coordinate data of the target character is cached in the first determining step, the obtaining step of obtaining the cached contour format coordinate data and the obtaining step are performed. And a step of performing filling based on the coordinate data in contour form. And it features.

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

According to the present invention, strokes that are frequently used,
Occasionally, the frequency of generation of radicals, character patterns or data is significantly reduced, and character patterns may be efficiently generated.

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a character pattern generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The character pattern generator of the present embodiment is a Japanese word processor, workstation, or computer. It is configured to be applicable to systems, printers, display devices, and the like.

In the figure, 1 is a central processing unit (CPU)
That is, the control and arithmetic processing of the entire apparatus are performed. A random access memory (RAM) 2 is loaded with each program and data for each required process,
This is the area to be executed. 3 is a read-only memory (RO
M), which is a storage area for the system control program, programs and font data related to flowcharts described later, and the like.

Reference numeral 4 is a keyboard control unit (KBC),
The data input by the keyboard (KB) 5 is received and transmitted to the CPU. 6 is a printer control unit (PRT
C), which controls a printer device (PRT7: dot printer such as laser beam printer or inkjet printer). A display control unit (CRTC) 8 controls the display device (CRT) 9, and causes the display device 9 to display the data sent from the disk control unit (DKC) 10.

The disk controller (DKC) 10 controls data transmission and the like. 11 is a floppy disk device (FD) or a hard disk device (H
An external storage device such as D) in which programs and data are stored and can be referenced or R as needed at the time of execution.
Load to AM2. Reference numeral 12 is a system bus, which should serve as a path for data transfer between the above-mentioned components.

In the character pattern generator thus constructed, the stroke, radical, character pattern or coordinate data generated by the cache control means (CPU1) is individually stored in the cache buffer portion of the storage device (RAM2). Cache (details follow the procedure of the flow chart shown in FIG. 2), the cached stroke data,
Generate radicals, letter patterns, or patterns based on coordinate data to generate letter patterns, and significantly reduce the frequency of frequently used strokes, radicals, and patterns to generate letter patterns efficiently. It is a thing.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining a first character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device showing the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (2
7) shows each step.

In step (1), it is checked by checking the cache buffer based on the ID whether or not the contour coordinate data of the fetched expansion target character is already cached as a character. It is assumed here that the contour coordinate data is stored as X and Y coordinate values. Here, if the character data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored, the data that has already been cached moves to step (2), the contour coordinate data of the target character is fetched from the cache buffer, and the process proceeds to step (27).

In step (1), if the character data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored, it is recognized that the character data has not been cached yet, and the process proceeds to step (3), in which the number of radicals forming the character. And that type of data.

Next, in step (4), it is checked by checking the cache buffer based on the ID whether the contour coordinates corresponding to the target radical among those radicals are cached. At this time, the order of selecting the target radicals from the radicals forming the characters is based on the writing order this time, but it is not particularly necessary to follow the writing order.

Here, if radical data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored, it is recognized that the radical data has already been cached, and the process proceeds to step (5) to fetch the contour coordinate data of the target radical from the cache buffer, Proceed to step (23).

In step (4), if radical data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored, it is recognized that the radical data is not cached yet, and the process proceeds to step (6) and the number of strokes constituting the target radical and its Get the type of data.

Next, in step (7), it is checked by checking the cache buffer based on the ID whether or not the contour coordinate data of the target stroke is already cached. At this time, the order of selecting the target stroke from the strokes forming the radical is based on the stroke order this time, but it does not necessarily have to be based on the stroke order.

If the stroke data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored, it is recognized that the stroke data has already been cached, and the process proceeds to step (8) to fetch the contour coordinate data of the target stroke from the cache buffer in step (19). ).

When the stroke data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored in step (7), it is recognized that the stroke data is not cached yet, and the process proceeds to step (9), in which the stroke format coordinates of the target stroke (control point). ) Import data. Next step (10)
Then, the coordinate data (control point data) in the stroke format that has been imported is subjected to coordinate conversion associated with enlargement / reduction.

The stroke format coordinate data is "core line" +
Since the information is based on the "thickness", in step (11), FIG.
The coordinate data is converted into contour-form coordinate data (control point data) as shown in.

Next, in step (12), it is determined whether the data is straight line data, and if it is not straight line data, it is recognized as curved line data. In step (13), interpolation is performed according to a predetermined curved line interpolation method. I do.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (12) that the data is straight line data, the dot is directly applied in step (15). In this way, in step (16), it is checked whether the data of the target stroke has been hit for all one contour, and if it has not finished, the process returns to step (12),
If it is over, the process proceeds to step (17), and it is judged whether or not this stroke satisfies the cache condition.
The determination process will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 described later.

When it is determined in step (17) that the cache condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step (18) and caching is performed. Next, the process proceeds to step (19), and the contour coordinate data of the target stroke thus generated or the contour coordinate data captured in step (8) is converted into contour coordinate data corresponding to the development position in the target radical. Convert.

Next, the process proceeds to step (20), and it is checked whether or not the hit points of all the strokes forming the radical have been completed. If it has not been finished yet, the process returns to step (7) and the same operation is performed for the next target stroke.

If the hitting point of the target radical is completed,
Similar to step (17), it is determined in step (21) whether this radical satisfies the cache condition. If the cache conditions are met, step (2
Move to 2) and cache.

Next, the process proceeds to step (23), where the contour coordinate data of the target radical thus generated or the contour coordinate data fetched in step (5) corresponds to the contour coordinate data corresponding to the developed position in the character. Convert to. Next, in step (24), it is checked whether or not the hit points of all the necks forming the character have been completed. If not completed, return to step (4) and do the same for the next target radical.

On the other hand, if it is judged in the step (24) that all the hit points have been finished, whether the character satisfies the cache condition in the step (25) as in the steps (17) and (21). To judge.

If it is determined that the cache condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step (26) to perform the cache. The one-character bitmap thus created or the contour coordinate data captured in step (2) is filled in in step (27) to complete the character pattern generation.

The character pattern generated based on the above-mentioned flow chart is printed or displayed by the printer device 7 or the display device 9.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6,
The cache condition determination processing in steps (17), (21), and (25) shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of cache condition determination processing in the character pattern generation processing shown in FIG. Note that (1), (2), and (3) indicate steps.

In step (1), the main ID of the target stroke is checked. Next, the process proceeds to step (2), and it is checked whether or not the cache buffer corresponding to the main ID checked in step (1) is already full of data. If it is already full, in step (3), the priority of the data already stored in this cache buffer is compared with the priority of the target stroke to see which has the higher priority. If data with a lower priority than the target is not stored in the cache buffer, the target stroke is not cached. However, if there is more than one in the cache buffer that has a lower priority than the target,
The one with the lowest priority among them is deleted from the cache buffer, and the data of the target stroke is stored in the cache buffer.

The main ID in this embodiment is
Like horizontal bar, vertical bar, right pay, left pay, dot, squiggles, etc.
Says the basic stroke type. The sub ID is an ID given to distinguish among the same main IDs having different angles and lengths.

As for the cache of the radical, the main ID is used in the present embodiment, but a cache similar to the stroke is also possible as long as the cache has a capacity.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a cache condition determination processing procedure in the character pattern generation processing shown in FIG. Note that (1) and (2) indicate steps. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state of the cache buffer on the RAM 2 shown in FIG. 1, where (a) shows the state of the stroke cache buffer, (c) shows the state of the character cache buffer, and (b) shows the state. Indicates the state of the radical cache buffer.

In step (1), it is checked whether or not the buffer for storing the cached character or radical data is already full of data.

If it is already full, in step (2), the priority of the data stored in this cache buffer is compared with the priority of the target character or radical, and which one has the higher priority is determined. Find out.

If the data of lower priority than the target is not stored in the cache buffer, the target character or radical is not cached.

However, if there is one or more items having a lower priority than the target in the cache buffer, the one having the lowest priority among them is deleted from the cache buffer, and the target character or radical is deleted. Store in cache buffer.

As a result, in the state of the character cache buffer shown in FIG. 6C, when the character having the target character "stroke" and the priority "25" is processed, step (17)
Then, in the determination of step (2) shown in FIG. 4, the characters "translation" having a lower priority than that character and the characters having the priority "34" are deleted, and the target character "stroke" and the priority "25" are deleted. The characters will be registered in order of priority.

Similarly, in the state of the character cache buffer shown in FIG. 6B, the target radical B1 and the priority "5" are set.
When the radical is processed, in step (17), in the determination of step (2) shown in FIG. 5, the radical B2 having a lower priority than the radical and the radical having the priority “23” are determined. This is because the target radical B1 and the radical with the priority "5" are deleted and registered in the order of priority.

In the above embodiment, the stroke and radical contour coordinate data are cached, but in this embodiment, not only the contour coordinate data but also the offset value added at the time of expansion in the above embodiment is included. Cache.

That is, if the stroke is controlled, the position of the radical is expanded. If the radical is the position of the character, the position information is controlled to be cached. As in the above embodiment, the process of shifting the cache data and then shifting by the offset becomes unnecessary, and the character pattern generation process can be speeded up. Less than,
Details will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the second character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device showing the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (2
7) shows each step.

Steps (1) to (16)
Up to step (16) of FIG. 2 showing the above embodiment, the description is omitted.

That is, it is checked whether or not the contour coordinate data corresponding to the character is cached, and if it is cached, that data is used. If not, whether or not the radicals that make up the character are cached. Find out.

If the contour coordinate data corresponding to the radical forming the character is cached, that data is used. If not, the stroke constituting the radical is cached. If it is cached, the data is used. If it is not cached, the stroke data is fetched and contour data is generated.

In step (17), the displacement amount of the target radical to the expanded position is added to the contour coordinate data of the stroke thus generated. In step (18), it is determined whether or not to cache as in the above embodiment, and when caching is performed, cache is performed in step (19).

When it is determined in step (20) that one radical has been generated, the data of step (2
In 1), the displacement amount to the position where the radical is developed in the target character is added. Next, in step (22), it is determined whether or not to cache, and if caching is to be performed, the process proceeds to step (23) and cache is performed. Following steps (2
The processing after 4) is the same as the processing after step (24) in the above embodiment.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the embodiment in which the cache is secured in the RAM 2 shown in FIG. 1 has been described, but in this embodiment, as shown in the eighth flow chart described later, the external storage device 1 such as a hard disk or floppy disk 1 is described.
It may be configured so as to be secured at 1 for processing.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining a third character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device showing the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (2
7) shows each step.

In step (1), the data of the character to be expanded is fetched, and at that time, it is checked by checking the cache buffer based on the ID whether it is already cached as a character. If the character data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored here, the process proceeds to step (2), the bitmap data is fetched from the cache buffer of the external storage device 11 shown in FIG. The generation process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the character data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored, the process proceeds to step (3), in which the number of radicals forming the character and their type are determined. Capture data.

Next, the process proceeds to step (4) to determine whether the data of the target radical has already been cached.
Check by checking the cache buffer based on. At this time, the order of the target radicals is based on the stroke order this time, but it is not particularly necessary to follow the stroke order.

If radical data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored, the process proceeds to step (5), and the bitmap data is fetched from the cache buffer of the external storage device 11 shown in FIG. 1 to step (24). move on.

If radical data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored in step (4), the process proceeds to step (6) and the number of strokes constituting the target radical and its type data are fetched. Next, in step (7), it is checked whether the data of the target stroke is already cached by checking the cache buffer based on the ID.

At this time, the order of the target strokes is based on the stroke order this time, but it is not particularly necessary to follow the stroke order.

If the stroke data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored, the process proceeds to step (8), and the bitmap data is fetched from the cache buffer of the external storage device 11 shown in FIG. 1 (step 20).
Go to. In step (7), if the stroke data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored,
The process moves to step (9) and the stroke format coordinate data of the target stroke is fetched.

Next, in step (10), the coordinate data in the stroke format that has been taken in is subjected to coordinate conversion associated with enlargement / reduction.

Since the stroke format coordinate data is information based on the core line + thickness, the step (1
In 1), it is converted into the coordinate data in the contour format. Step (1
In 2), it is determined whether or not it is straight line data, and if it is not straight line data, it is confirmed that it is curved line data.

On the other hand, when the straight line data is obtained in the step (12), the dot is directly applied in the step (15). In this way, in step (16), it is checked whether all the data of the target stroke have been hit by one contour, and if not completed, the process returns to step (12), and if completed, the process moves to step (17) and the target stroke is filled. .

Next, in step (18), it is determined as described above whether or not this stroke satisfies the cache condition.

Whether the buffer for storing the characters, radicals or strokes cached in the external storage device 11 in steps (2) and (1) shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is already full of data. Find out.
If it is already full, in step (2), the priority of the data stored in this cache buffer is compared with the priority of the target character, radical or stroke to see which has the higher priority. .

If the data of lower priority than the target is not stored in the cache buffer, the target character or radical or stroke is not cached.

However, if there is one or more ones having a lower priority than the target in the cache buffer, the one with the lowest priority among them is deleted from the cache buffer and the target character or radical or Store the stroke in the cache buffer.

When it is determined in step (18) that the cache condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step (19) and caching is performed. Next, in step (20), the bitmap data of the target stroke generated in this way,
Alternatively, the bitmap data fetched in step (8) is converted into bitmap data of the development position in the target radical. Next, the process proceeds to step (21), and it is checked whether the bitmap generation of all strokes forming the radical and the synthesis thereof have been completed.

If it has not been completed, the process returns to step (7) and the same operation is performed for the next target stroke. If the generation of the target radical bitmap has been completed, the step (22) is performed in the same manner as the step (18).
Then, it is judged whether or not this radical satisfies the cash condition. If the cache condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step (23) to perform the cache.

Next, the process proceeds to step (24), and the bitmap of the target radical thus generated or the bitmap captured in step (5) is converted into bitmap data of the expansion position in the target character. To do.

Next, in step (25), it is checked whether or not the bitmap generation of all the necks forming the character and its synthesis have been completed. If it is not finished yet, return to step (4) and perform the same work for the next target radical. If it has ended, it is determined whether or not this character satisfies the cache condition in step (26) as in steps (18) and (22). If the cache condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step (27) to perform the cache.
Thus, the pattern generation of the target character is completed.

Although the stroke and radical bitmap data are cached in the external storage device 11 in the above embodiment, not only the bit map data but also the offset value added at the time of expansion in the above embodiment. Cache is also included.

In other words, the cache is performed by including the position information of the stroke where the stroke is developed and the position of the character where the stroke is developed, and the cache is performed as in the above embodiment. After expanding the data, control (details will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9) may be performed so as not to execute the offset shift process.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the fourth character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device showing the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (2
7) shows each step. The process up to step (17) is the same as the process up to step (17) of FIG.

The process of this embodiment checks whether or not a character is cached, and if the character is cached, the data is used. If not, it is determined whether or not the radical constituting the character is cached. Find out. If the radicals that make up a character are cached, use that data, if not, check if the strokes that make up that radical are cached, and if so, It uses that data and, if not cached, fetches that stroke's data and generates bitmap data.

Then, in step (18), the bitmap data of the stroke thus generated is shifted to the development position of the stroke on the target radical. In step (19), it is determined whether to cache as in the above embodiment, and if caching is to be performed, cache is performed in step (20).

When it is determined in step (21) that one radical has been generated, the bitmap data is shifted to a position where the radical is developed in the target character in step (22).

Next, in step (23), it is determined whether or not to cache, and if cache is to be performed, step (2
Go to 4) and cache. Since the processing after step (25) is the same as the processing after step (25) of the processing shown in FIG. 8, description thereof will be omitted.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the device is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the character pattern generator showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a flag creating section, which allows the operator to select the processing he or she desires by the KB5 of FIG. 1 so that each processing prepared in the character pattern generator can be automatically selected. A plurality of process selection flags are set based on the selected process and registered so as to correspond to the ID. This makes it possible to surely select the correct process from among the plurality of processes only by specifying the ID. In the present embodiment, the character data is stored in various font data formats such as outline type and stroke type which are the pattern generating method, and Bezier and spline which are the generating method of these curves. Based on the flag created by the flag creating section 20 for the character for which the pattern is to be generated, the contour creating section 21 selects the desired pattern generating method.

In the character pattern generator configured as described above, a flag for selecting a character pattern processing resource used by the CPU 1 to analyze the character information input and generate a character pattern is stored in the RAM 2 as described later. Character pattern processing resources (means executed by the CPU 1 in accordance with a procedure shown in a flowchart described later) having different character pattern processing resources based on the created flag to generate a character pattern, and generate a character pattern generating device. That is, a plurality of character pattern processing resources are shared to surely perform different character pattern processing.

Further, a contour generating unit 21 having a plurality of font generating methods for processing the generation of a character pattern in a stroke format or an outline format (in this embodiment, two types of a stroke format and an outline format) and a character quality are set. A hinting unit 22 having a plurality of hinting processes for performing coordinate conversion for enhancing, an interpolation unit 23 having a plurality of interpolation processes for generating a curve to create a contour pattern of a closed region, and filling the generated closed region. The character pattern processing resources having different character pattern processing methods are selected from the character pattern processing resources of the plurality of filling units 24 for creating the bitmap based on the created flags to generate the character pattern, and the printer device 7 Alternatively, by printing or displaying by the display device 9, the character pattern Share a plurality of character pattern processing resources of raw device is performed reliably different character pattern process.

As will be described below, three processing units, that is, the hinting unit 22, the interpolation unit 23, and the filling unit 24 are used for the character pattern generation processing of this embodiment. Each unit may be configured by a logic circuit, or may be a software configuration in which a program stored in the ROM 2 is executed by the CPU 1.

Each unit has a plurality of processing methods in advance, and the selection is made based on the flag.

The contour generating section 21 generates the contour generating method by the generating method specified by the flag creating section 20, and the hinting section 22 performs the hinting process specified by the flag creating section 20. The interpolation unit 23 interpolates the curve using the interpolation method designated by the flag creation unit 20 to generate contour coordinates. Filling section 24
Performs the painting by the method designated by the flag creating section 20.

The hinting portion 22 and the filling portion 24 may not be used.

FIG. 11 shows the flag creating section 2 shown in FIG.
It is a figure explaining the flag formation process of 0.

As shown in this figure, the process selection flag is 8
The content of the bit configuration is the first one bit is a contour selection bit that selects a pattern generation method, and the second and third bits are an optimum method from a plurality of hinting methods prepared in advance in the hinting unit 22. The hinting selection bits to be selected, hits 4 and 5, are interpolation selection bits and bits 6 and 7 for selecting an optimum method from a plurality of interpolation methods prepared in advance in the interpolation section 23 are prepared in the filling section 24 in advance. It consists of a fill selection bit that selects the best method from multiple fill methods. Although the present embodiment describes a case where the flag information is configured with 8 bits, it is needless to say that the number of bits may be increased to increase the number of each resource, and various modifications or combinations can be supported. Nor.

First, 1 of the means selection flag shown in FIG.
The case of the bit position, that is, the contour selection bit is set will be described.

When the contour selection bit is set, the character pattern is generated by the outline font which does not have stroke intersections by expressing the contour of the character by coordinate data as shown in FIG. become.

The processing of the hinting section 22 shown in FIG. 9 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the processing operation of the hinting section 22 shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

In step (1), the process selection flag 2
I'm checking to see if it stands out. If it is standing, the process proceeds to step (2), and this time, the third bit of the processing selection flag is checked. If the 3rd bit is set, the hinting processing A is performed as the hinting processing. If the 3rd bit is set, the hinting processing A is performed. If the 3rd bit is not set, the hinting processing B is performed. I do. If the second bit of the process selection flag is not set in step (2), the process moves to step (3) to check the third bit of the process selection flag.

If the third bit of the process selection flag is set, the hinting process C is executed as the hinting process, and if the third bit is not set, the hinting process is performed. No hinting treatment is performed at 22.

Next, the processing operation of the interpolating means 23 shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the processing operation of the interpolation section 23 shown in FIG. Note that (1)
~ (7) shows each step.

In step (1), it is checked whether the fourth bit of the process selection flag is set. If it is standing, the process proceeds to step (2), and this time, the fifth bit of the processing selection flag is checked.

If the 5th bit is set, the process proceeds to step (4) as the processing of the interpolating unit 23, and the interpolation by the quadratic B-spline is performed. If the 5th bit is not set, the process proceeds to step (5). Interpolation is performed using the transitional cubic B-spline.

If the fourth bit of the process selection flag is not set in step (1), the process proceeds to step (3) and the fifth bit of the process selection flag is checked. Here, if the fifth bit of the processing selection flag is set, the process proceeds to step (6). As the process of the interpolation unit 23, interpolation by a quadratic Bezier is performed, and if the fifth bit is not set, step (7).
Move to and perform interpolation by cubic Bezier.

The interpolation method prepared in the interpolation section 23 is
As described above, the third-order Bezier, the second-order Bezier, the third-order B-spline, and the second-order B-spline are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are diagrams for explaining the interpolation method by the interpolation unit 23 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 15 corresponds to the cubic Bezier interpolation process, and FIG. 16 is the quadratic Bezier interpolation process. Corresponding to.

As shown in FIG. 15, the control points A, B, C, and D4 for generating one curve are AB, B.
Intermediate points a, f and e of C and CD are calculated. Next, for the three points a, f, and e just calculated, the intermediate points b and d of af and fe are similarly calculated as the intermediate point c of bd. Of the points thus obtained, A, a, b, and c are one curve F (0) and are c, d, e, and D.
Will newly represent F (1). By repeating this operation until the value reaches a predetermined value, coordinate data representing one curve is created.

The quadratic Bézier shown in FIG. 16 has a curved line with three points, whereas the cubic Bézier has four points with a curved line. After that, similarly for control points A, B, and C, A
The midpoints a and c of B and BC and the midpoint of this ac are calculated,
Among the calculated points, one curve F (0) is represented by b,
One curve is composed of c and C. This work is repeated until the value reaches a predetermined value, and coordinate data representing one curve is created.

Next, the interpolation by the B-spline is different from the curve interpolation by the Bezier, and the curve is divided into a set number, and the curve is generated by a quadratic or cubic function.

Next, how to generate the contour coordinates will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of the contour processing procedure using the interpolation section 23 shown in FIG. The values (1) to (4) indicate each step.

In step (1), it is checked whether the contour control points taken in form a straight line. If the point is a point that forms a straight line,
Go to step (2) and generate a straight line. If it is not a point that forms a straight line in step (1), the process proceeds to step (3) and interpolation is performed by the predetermined interpolation method selected in the processing procedure of FIG. Let After generating straight lines and curves in step (2) and step (3), move to step (4) and
It is checked whether the coordinate data for the contour has been created. If not completed, the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that one contour has been completed, the processing of the interpolating device ends.

Next, the processing operation of the filling section 24 shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 shows the smearing section 2 shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing an example of a filling processing procedure according to No. 4; Note that (1) to (4) indicate each step.

In step (1), it is checked whether the sixth bit (see FIG. 10) of the process selection flag is set. If the 6th bit is set, the process proceeds to step (2), and the 7th bit of the processing selection flag is checked. Here, if the 7th bit is set, the process proceeds to step (3), and as the process of the filling unit 24, the non-zero winding filling process (details will be described later) is performed.

On the other hand, if the 7th bit is not found in the judgment in step (2), the process moves to step (4) and even.
Fill processing by odd (details will be described later) is performed.

On the other hand, in step (1), if the 6th bit of the process selection flag is not set, the painting section 24 does not perform painting. With the series of operations described above, the character generation by one contour is completed.

Next, a case where the first bit of the process selection flag is not set will be described.

If the first bit of the process selection flag is not set, a pattern is created in stroke units as shown in FIG. 12B and the characters are generated by synthesizing the patterns. Performs character pattern generation in stroke synthesis. The sequence of character pattern generation by this stroke synthesis follows the procedure of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of a second character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device showing the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, (1) ~
(4), (2-1), (2-2), (3-1), (3-
2), (4-1), and (4-2) indicate each step.

In this case, the function of each part and the designation of its processing are almost the same as the character generation by one contour, and therefore only different parts will be described.

First, what is different is the data to be fetched. In the case of stroke composition, the total number of strokes forming a character, the constituent points of the stroke, and the position and size thereof become the data.

The hinting section 22 performs the processing based on FIG. 13, the interpolation section 23 performs the processing based on FIG. 14 and FIG. 17, and loops the processing in each section by the number of strokes forming the target character ( 2-1), (2-2),
(3-1), (3-2), the work is completed with one data transfer for all strokes.

In the hinting unit 22, the processing is the same as the processing method for one contour, and the interpolation unit 2
In 3, the coordinate data is combined in the same table every time one stroke is created.

Then, in step (4), the painting section 24 carries out the painting process according to FIG.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the filling processing shown in FIG. In addition,
(1) and (2) show each step.

In step (1), the 6th bit of the processing selection flag is checked. Here, if the 6th bit is set, the process proceeds to step (2), and as the process of the painting unit 24, non-zero painting is performed.

On the other hand, if the 6th bit is not found in the determination in step (1), the painting processing is not performed by the painting unit 24.

21 and 22 are views for explaining a painting method in the character pattern generator according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 21, when filling a pattern in which contours intersect with each other, such as a stroke composition, e
If the filling is performed by the ven odd, there may be a portion where the filling is not performed. This is eve
The nodd filling method is to examine bits horizontally in the X-axis direction, and set all the bits between them until the bit that was first (value 1) to the next bit is detected. Therefore, when the strokes are overlapped as shown in FIG. 21A, a part that is not filled occurs. non z
In case of filling by ero winding, Fig. 2
As shown in 1 (b), each of the points (bits) forming the contour is assigned an attribute indicating whether the bit forms an upward line or a downward line. The attribute is provided with a value such as 1 for upward and -1 for downward. So even
As in the case of odd, each bit is examined in parallel with the X axis, and when a bit that is tapped is detected, the attribute value is added, and unless the added value is 0, the bit is kept standing and filled. .

As shown in FIG. 22, when filling a pattern in which contour lines intersect each other such as in stroke composition, when the filling is performed by the even odd, there is a portion where the filling is not performed (fill-out portion HP). Therefore, in the case of stroke synthesis, the only filling method that can be selected is non zero winding.

In the filling process of the above embodiment,
Filling in stroke composition is non zero
I went to the windowing only, but here is even
The processing that can be applied by odd will be described below. Although the device configuration and the character pattern generation method by the outline font are the same, the filling method in the character pattern generation method by stroke synthesis is changed as follows.

In the second embodiment, the hinting section 2 is used.
2. With respect to all strokes that make up one character, both the interpolation unit 23 and the device are terminated by one data transfer.
This time, the hinting unit 22, the interpolation unit 23, and the filling unit 24 perform only one stroke at a time.
That is, at the time when the processing of the filling section 24 for the first time is finished, the bitmap data in which the painting of one stroke is finished is completed. Below, FIG.
Another filling process will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing an example of another character pattern generating procedure in the character pattern generating apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing another character pattern generation state in the character pattern generator according to the present invention.
It should be noted that (1) to (7) indicate steps of each filling. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating correspondence between strokes of character patterns and radicals in the character pattern generator according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 23, every time the filling process is completed (1) to (5), it is confirmed whether or not the process has been completed for all strokes forming the character, and if it is not completed, the process is repeated for the next stroke. To do.

As a result, in the process of character formation, if the "tree" shown in FIG. 24 is taken as an example, a horizontal line pattern is generated in the first process as in step (1). In (2), a vertical line pattern which is the next stroke is generated, and in step (3), this pattern is combined with the horizontal line pattern generated in step (1).

In step (4), a pattern for left paying which is the next stroke is generated. In step (5), this pattern is combined with the pattern generated in step (3). In step (6), the right stroke pattern which is the next stroke is generated, and when this pattern is combined with the pattern generated in step (5) in step (7), the character pattern "tree" is generated. Also, according to the processing of the filling device in this method, as with the outline font, the non zero windin
Filling can be done by two methods, g and even odd.

[Other Embodiments] In the first and second character pattern generators of the above-described first embodiment, X,
The example of caching the contour coordinate data represented by the Y coordinate has been described, and the example of caching the bitmap data in the third and fourth character pattern generators in the first embodiment has been described. In this embodiment, an example in which control point data is cached will be described.

FIG. 26 shows the flow of the fifth character pattern generation processing in the first embodiment. In step (1), it is checked by checking the cache buffer based on the ID whether or not the coordinate data (control point data) in the contour format of the loaded expansion target character is already cached as a character. If the character data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored here, it is recognized that the character data has already been cached, and the process proceeds to step (2). From the cache buffer, coordinate data in the contour form of the target character by stroke synthesis (control point data ) Is taken in and the process proceeds to the entrance of step (22). If the character data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored in step (1), it is recognized that the character data is not cached yet, and the process moves to step (3), in which the number of radicals forming the character and the data of that type. Take in. Next step (4)
Then, it is checked by checking the cache buffer based on the ID whether or not the coordinate data (control point data) in the contour format of the target radical among those radicals is already cached. At this time, the order of selecting the target radicals from the radicals forming the characters is based on the stroke order this time, but it does not necessarily have to be based on the stroke order. If radical data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored, it is recognized that the radical data has already been cached, and the process moves to step (5). Point data) is taken in and the process proceeds to the entrance of step (18). If radical data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored in step (4), it is recognized that it has not been cached, and step (6)
The number of strokes constituting the target radical and the data of that type are fetched. Next, in step (7), it is checked by checking the cache buffer based on the ID whether or not the coordinate data (control point data) in the contour form of the target stroke is already cached. At this time, the order of selecting the target stroke from the strokes forming the radical is based on the stroke order this time, but it does not necessarily have to be based on the stroke order. here,
If the stroke data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored, it is recognized that the stroke data has already been cached, and the process proceeds to step (8) to fetch the control point data of the target stroke from the cache buffer in step (1
Go to the entrance of 4). In step (7), if the stroke data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored, it is recognized that the stroke data is not cached yet, and the process proceeds to step (9), and the stroke format coordinate data (control point data) of the target stroke is fetched. . Then, the process proceeds to step (10), and the coordinate data (control point data) in the captured stroke format is subjected to coordinate conversion associated with enlargement / reduction. Since the stroke format coordinate data is information based on the core line + thickness, it is converted into contour format coordinate data (control point data) in step (11) as shown in FIG. Next, in step (12), it is determined whether or not this stroke satisfies the cache condition. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram showing the determination of the cache condition, and FIG. 6 shows a state of the cache buffer at this time.

Returning to FIG. 26, if it is determined in step (12) that the cache condition is satisfied in this way, the process moves to step (13) to perform caching. Next, the process proceeds to step (14), and the target coordinate data is the contour data (control point data) of the contour of the target stroke thus generated or the contour data (control point data) captured in step (8). Shift to the deployed position in the neck. Next, the process proceeds to step (15), and it is checked whether or not the above work has been completed for all strokes forming the radical. If not completed, return to the entrance of step (7) and do the same for the next target stroke. If the above work is completed, the process proceeds to step (16), and it is determined whether or not this stroke satisfies the cache condition. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram showing the determination of the cache condition, and FIG. 6 shows a state of the cache buffer at this time. It is checked whether or not the buffer for storing the character or radical cached in step 5-1 is already full of data. If it is already full, in step 5-2, the priority of the data stored in the cache buffer is compared with the priority of the target character or radical, and which one has the higher priority is checked. If the data of lower priority than the target is not stored in the cache buffer, the target character or radical is not cached. However, if there is one or more ones with a lower priority than the target in the cache buffer, the one with the lowest priority among them is deleted from the cache buffer, and the target character or radical is stored in the cache buffer. Store. Returning to FIG. 26, if the cache condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step (17) to perform the cache. Next, the process proceeds to step (18), and the coordinate data (control point data) in the contour format of the target radical by the stroke synthesis thus generated or the coordinate data (control point data) in the contour format fetched in step (5) is used. , Shift to the expansion position in the target character. Next step (1
It is checked whether or not the above work is completed for all necks that form the character in 9). If not, return to the entrance of step (4) and do the same for the next target radical. If finished, step (16)
Similarly, in step (20), it is determined whether this character satisfies the cache condition. If the cache condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step (21) to perform the cache. Next, in step (22), among the strokes forming the character, the target stroke is interpolated. Therefore, it is determined whether the control point is straight line data, and if it is not straight line data, it is recognized as curved line data, In step (23), interpolation is performed according to a predetermined curve interpolation method, and in step (24), a dot is entered. If the straight line data is obtained in step (22), the dot is directly applied in step (25). In this way, in step (26), it is checked whether or not the data of the target stroke has been completely printed for one contour. Check whether the interpolation processing is completed for all the strokes. If not completed, the process returns to the entrance of step (22), and if completed, the process moves to step (28) to perform painting.

In the fifth character pattern generating procedure in the first embodiment, the character stroke and the coordinate data (control point data) in the contour form of the radical are cached.
In this embodiment, not only the coordinate data in the contour form (control point data) but also the offset value added at the time of expansion in the above embodiment is cached. In other words, if it is a stroke, it is cached by including the position information of the position of the radical to be expanded, and the position of the character to be expanded if it is a radical. After expanding, the process of shifting by offset is not required. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the flow of processing in this embodiment. FIG. 26 showing the above embodiment up to step (11).
This is the same as up to step (11). In other words, check whether the coordinate format coordinate data (control point data) corresponding to the character is cached. If it is cached, use that data. If it is not cached,
It is checked based on the ID whether or not the coordinate format coordinate data (control point data) corresponding to the radical forming the character is cached. If the radical that makes up the character is cached, use that data. If it is not cached, coordinate data in the contour format (control point data) corresponding to the stroke that makes up the radical.
Is checked, if it is cached, the data is used. If it is not cached, the coordinate data of the stroke format (control point data) is fetched and the coordinate data of the contour format (control point data) is generated. . In step (12), the displacement amount of the target radical to the expanded position is added to the stroke contour data thus generated. In step (13), it is determined whether to cache as in the above embodiment, and if caching is to be performed, step (1)
Cache is performed in 4). Thus, in step (15), it is determined whether or not the above work has been completed for all the strokes forming the radical. If it is not completed, the process returns to step (7), and if it is completed, the process proceeds to step (16) to add the displacement amount to the position where the radical is developed in the target character. Next, in step (17), it is determined whether to cache, and if cache is to be performed, step (1
Move to 8) and cache. The process after step (19) is the same as that after step (19) in the fifth character pattern generation procedure of the first embodiment.

FIG. 28 shows the seventh embodiment of the first embodiment.
Is a flow of operations showing the character pattern generation procedure of. In step (1), the data of the expansion target character is fetched, and at that time, whether or not the bitmap data corresponding to the character has already been cached is checked by checking the cache buffer based on the ID. If the character data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored, the process proceeds to step (2), the bitmap data is fetched from the cache buffer and the process proceeds to the exit of step (25) to finish the generation of the target character. If the character data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored in step (1), the process moves to step (3), and the number of radicals forming the character and the data of that type are fetched. Next step (4)
Then, it is checked by checking the cache buffer based on the ID whether the bitmap data corresponding to the target radical has already been cached. At this time, the order of the target radicals will follow the stroke order this time,
It is not necessary to follow the stroke order. Here, if radical data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored, the process proceeds to step (5), where bitmap data is fetched from the cache buffer and the process proceeds to the entrance of step (24). If radical data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored in step (4), the process proceeds to step (6) and the number of strokes forming the target radical and its type data are fetched. Next, in step (7), it is checked whether the bitmap data corresponding to the target stroke is already cached by checking the cache buffer based on the ID. At this time, the order of the target strokes is based on the stroke order this time, but it is not particularly necessary to follow the stroke order. If the stroke data corresponding to the cache buffer is stored here, the process proceeds to step (8) to fetch the bitmap data from the cache buffer and proceed to the entrance of step (21). In step (7), if the strogue data corresponding to the cache buffer is not stored, step (9)
The coordinate data of the stroke format of the target stroke is fetched. Next, in step (10), the stroke-formatted coordinate data is subjected to coordinate conversion associated with enlargement / reduction. Since the stroke format coordinate data is information based on the core line + thickness, it is converted to contour format coordinate data in step (11) as shown in FIG. In step (12), the coordinate data corresponding to this stroke is shifted to the position developed in the target radical. Next, the process proceeds to step (13), it is judged whether or not it is straight line data, and if it is not straight line data, it is recognized as curve data, interpolation is carried out by a predetermined curve interpolation method at step (14), and a dot is made at step (15). When the straight line data is obtained in step (13), the dot is directly applied in step (16). Thus, in step (17), it is checked whether or not the contour coordinate data of the target stroke has finished hitting all one contour. If not completed, the process returns to the entrance of step (13). Fill based on the contour coordinate data of. Next step (1
It moves to 9) and it is judged whether or not this stroke satisfies the cache condition. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram showing the determination of the cache condition, and FIG. 6 shows a state of the cache buffer at this time.

Returning to FIG. 28, if it is determined in step (19) that the cache condition is satisfied in this way, the process proceeds to step (20) and caching is performed. Next, the process proceeds to step (21), and it is checked whether the bitmap generation of all strokes forming the radical and the synthesis thereof have been completed. If not completed, return to the entrance of step (7) and perform the same operation for the next target stroke. If the bitmap generation of the target radical is completed, the process proceeds to step (22), and it is determined whether or not this radical satisfies the cache condition. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram showing the determination of the cache condition, and FIG. 6 shows a state of the cache buffer at this time.
It is checked whether or not the buffer for storing the character or radical cached in step 5-1 is already full of data. If it is already full, in step 5-2, the priority of the data stored in the cache buffer is compared with the priority of the target character or radical, and which one has the higher priority is checked.
If the data of lower priority than the target is not stored in the cache buffer, the target character or radical is not cached. However, if there is one or more ones with a lower priority than the target in the cache buffer, the one with the lowest priority among them is deleted from the cache buffer, and the target character or radical is stored in the cache buffer. Store. Returning to FIG. 28, if it is determined in step (22) that the cache condition is satisfied in this way, the process proceeds to step (23) and caching is performed. Next, in step (24), it is checked whether or not the bitmap generation of all the necks forming the character and its synthesis have been completed. If not, return to the entrance of step (4) and do the same for the next target radical. If it has ended, it is determined whether or not this character satisfies the cache condition in step (25) as in step (22). If the cache conditions are met, step (26)
Move to and cache. Thus, the pattern generation of the target character is completed.

Next, the first to the first embodiment described in the first embodiment will be described.
A control procedure capable of automatically switching the seventh character pattern generation processing according to the memory capacity (memory environment) will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 29 shows the judgment as to whether the storage device for the cache is the external storage device such as the hard disk or the built-in RAM. In step (1), the RAM capacity that can be used for the cache in the system to be used is checked, and it is determined whether or not the capacity can correspond to the bitmap cache. If it is possible, the process proceeds to step (2), and thereafter, stroke-based bitmap cache using the RAM is performed. If it is determined in step (1) that it is not possible, it moves to step (3) and it is determined whether or not the hard disk is used (or can be used) as a system. Use (or can)
In the case, the process proceeds to step (4) to perform bitmap cache by the hard disk. If hard disk is not used (or cannot be used), go to step (5) RA
The contour coordinate data by M or the control point data is cached.

Note that the contour coordinate data cache or the control point data cache of (5) caches the contour coordinate data if the cache amount is larger than a predetermined amount according to the capacity of the RAM. If the number is small, the control point data may be cached. Also, the bitmap format, the contour coordinate format, and the control point format may be specified by the user.

The (3) permission to use the hard disk is set by the user (or is calculated and automatically set by the system) according to the access time to the hard disk and the pattern development processing time.

According to the above-described embodiment, by caching characters, radicals, and strokes respectively, when a large number of characters are created by character creation by stroke composition,
It is possible to drastically reduce the reduction of the processing for expanding the same strokes, radicals and characters each time.

Further, by preparing a plurality of character pattern processing resources for each device in advance, it is possible to reduce extra processing such as modification or creation of the device itself due to differences in data or changes in processing method, thereby improving efficiency. It is possible to generate character patterns.

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

As described above, according to the present invention, the cache means caches the generated strokes, radicals, and patterns in the storage device, and combines the cached stroke data, radicals, and patterns to form a character pattern. Since the occurrence of strokes, radicals and patterns that are frequently used is significantly reduced, it is possible to efficiently generate character patterns.

According to the present invention, a flag for selecting a character pattern processing resource used for generating a character pattern by analyzing the character information input by the information creating means is created, and based on the created flag. Since the character pattern processing means selects different character pattern processing resources to generate a character pattern, different character pattern processing can be performed by sharing the character pattern processing resources that are not influenced by the input character information.

According to the present invention, a plurality of font processing means for processing character pattern generation by strokes or outlines, and a plurality of hinting means for performing coordinate conversion for enhancing character quality by the method defined by the flag. And a plurality of interpolating means for generating a curve by the curve characteristic defined by the flag to create a contour pattern of the closed area, and a plurality of creating a bitmap for filling the closed area generated by the method defined by the flag. Among the character pattern processing resources of the filled portion of, the character pattern processing resources having different character pattern processing procedures are selected based on the created flag to generate the character pattern, so that a plurality of character pattern processing resources are shared. It is possible to reliably perform different character pattern processing.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent repetition of the same work and simplify a series of works in generating a character pattern.
It is possible to eliminate an unnecessary trouble caused by the difference between the font data and the device specifications.

The cache format can be selected according to the capacity of the memory.

Also, the cache format can be selected according to the user's instruction.

[0167]

As described above, according to the present invention, the frequency of frequently used strokes, radicals, character patterns or data can be markedly reduced to efficiently generate character patterns.

[0168]

[0169]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character pattern generation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a first character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conversion state from coordinate data to contour information in the character pattern generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a cache condition determination processing procedure in the character pattern generation processing shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing an example of a cache condition determination processing procedure in the character pattern generation processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of a cache buffer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a second character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a third character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character pattern generation device showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a diagram illustrating a flagging process of a flag creating unit 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a character pattern generation method in this type of character pattern generation device.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the hinting section shown in FIG.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of an interpolation unit illustrated in FIG.

15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interpolation method by the interpolation unit illustrated in FIG.

16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interpolation method by the interpolation unit illustrated in FIG.

17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a contour processing procedure using the interpolation unit illustrated in FIG.

18 is a flowchart showing an example of a filling processing procedure by the filling means shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a second character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of detailed procedures of the filling process illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a painting method in the character pattern generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a painting method in the character pattern generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of another character pattern generation procedure in the character pattern generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing another character pattern generation state in the character pattern generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating correspondence between strokes of character patterns and radicals in the character pattern generation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a fifth character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a sixth character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a seventh character pattern generation processing procedure in the character pattern generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a cache method selection processing procedure in the character pattern generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 KBC 5 KB 6 PRTC 7 PRT 8 CRTC 9 CRT 10 DKC 11 External storage device

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the contour data of the target character is cached, and the first discriminating means discriminating that the contour data of the target character is not cached. In the case where the contour data of the target radical is cached, the second discrimination means determines whether or not the coordinate data of the contour format of the target radical is cached, and the coordinate data of the contour format of the target radical is not cached by the second discrimination means. When it is determined, the third determination unit determines whether or not the contour format coordinate data of the target stroke is cached, and the third determination unit determines that the contour format coordinate data of the target stroke is not cached. If done,
The target stroke data is acquired, the acquired target stroke data is subjected to coordinate conversion, converted into contour format coordinate data, and cached, and the third determination means caches the contour format coordinate data of the target stroke. If it is determined that the contour format coordinate data that has been cached is obtained, and if it is determined that the contour format coordinate data of the target radical is cached by the second determining means, it is cached. Acquiring contour data coordinate data in the contour format, and acquiring the cached contour data in the contour format when the first determination means determines that the contour data in the contour format of the target character is cached. And a means for filling based on the coordinate data in the contour format acquired by the acquisition means. Character pattern generating apparatus according to claim and. 2. The character pattern generator according to claim 1, wherein said cache means caches when a cache condition is satisfied. 3. The character pattern generator according to claim 1, wherein the cache means caches the coordinate data in the contour format and shifts the data by an offset. 4. The character pattern generation device according to claim 1, wherein the cache means shifts the offset coordinate data by the offset before cached. 5. A first determining step of determining whether or not the contour data of the target character is cached, and it is determined that the contour data of the target character is not cached by the first determining step. If it is determined that the contour data of the target radical is cached, the second discrimination step determines whether or not the contour data of the target radical is not cached by the second discrimination step. If determined, a third determination step of determining whether or not the contour-format coordinate data of the target stroke is cached, and it is determined that the contour-format coordinate data of the target stroke is not cached by the third determination step. If so, the target stroke data is acquired, coordinate conversion is performed on the acquired target stroke data, and the contour shape is If it is determined in the cache step of converting to coordinate data of a formula and caching, and in the third determining step that the coordinate data of the contour format of the target stroke is cached, the cached coordinate data of the contour format is acquired. However, when it is determined in the second determining step that the coordinate data of the contour shape of the target radical is cached,
Obtain the cached contour format coordinate data,
When it is determined in the first determination step that the coordinate data of the contour format of the target character is cached, an acquisition step of acquiring the cached coordinate data of the contour format; And a step of filling based on coordinate data. 6. The character pattern generation method according to claim 5, wherein the cache step caches data when a cache condition is satisfied. 7. The method for generating a character pattern according to claim 5, wherein the contour format coordinate data is cached by the caching step and then shifted by an offset. 8. The method of generating a character pattern according to claim 5, wherein the cache step shifts the contour-form coordinate data by the offset before caching.