JPS61292674A - Character pattern generator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Gikan Ritsuka This invention provides various high resolution and This invention relates to an improvement of a single-character pattern generator suitable for use in an image processing system, and in particular, to reduce the memory capacity for storing character pattern data, effectively utilizing the system's memory space, or reducing memory costs. By separating the memory that stores character dot patterns as compressed character data from the system memory, it is possible to make effective use of system memory and speed up character pattern dot expansion, improving throughput. , relates to a character pattern generation device that realizes an efficient system.

In recent years, high-resolution image processing systems that process image data dot by dot have been used as workstations, print stations, etc., and as systems equipped with multiple functions consisting of these stations, Word processors have also appeared. Furthermore, facsimile machines that process one image data are also known to have a nine-document communication function and to create and edit documents.

Various high-resolution image processing systems equipped with such a bitmap memory and a display means such as a CRT and having at least one of the document creation, editing, and printing functions are capable of document creation, editing, and printing. In order to generate a character pattern to be displayed on a display means or printed by a printer at a certain time, pixel-by-pixel data constituting a character in a dot pattern is stored in a memory as character pattern data.

However, in the case of high-resolution image processing systems, the pixel density to be processed is 200 d/i (dots/inch), 3
It gradually increases to 00d/i and 400d/i.

In addition, you can create documents using general word processors, etc.
The dot pattern of the characters used for editing is determined by the font (
At least two types of typefaces, Mincho and Gothic, are required, and the number of points for each is 8.
Bo, 10 po, 12 po.

They have diversified into 16-inch, 20-inch, 24-inch, etc., and there are many different sizes.

In this way, the dot pattern of characters used for document creation, editing, printing, etc. has a pixel density of 300 d, for example.
Even in the case of /i, the number of character types is 7,500, and the total capacity of pattern data is as large as 17MB.

Therefore, if you store dot patterns for all fonts and points, the character pattern data area will occupy a large amount of system memory, increasing costs. As a result, the memory space that can be used by the system becomes smaller or the number of character types is limited.

Therefore, in conventional high-resolution image processing systems, for characters with complex pattern structures, such as kanji characters, the characters are broken down into their basic structures, and data for common patterns of hen and structure is created and stored in memory.

According to this method, it is possible to reduce the required memory capacity, but it is not possible during display or printing operations.

Each time, it is necessary to combine the decomposed patterns and output them as pattern data constituting one character, which takes time and reduces the processing speed of the system.

Another method is to store only the pattern data that constitutes characters with a small number of points.

When a character with a large number of points is required, a method of enlarging the character is also used.

This method also makes it possible to reduce the required memory capacity. However, in this method,
The quality of characters expanded by the enlargement process deteriorates. There was this inconvenience.

In this way, character pattern generators used in various high-resolution and image processing systems that have conventional document creation, editing, and printing functions are capable of producing all the fonts and fonts necessary for displaying and printing high-quality character patterns. In order to store the pattern data of the number of points, a large capacity memory is required, and a major problem remains from the cost perspective.

As one method for solving such inconveniences, the inventor of the present invention first compressed the dot patterns of characters using the MH method, MR method, M2R method, or other encoding method, and then recorded the data on a disk as compressed character data. Title of the invention: ``Character pattern generator'', Patent application 1986-107
Patent Application No. 157).

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of essential parts of an embodiment of the previously proposed character pattern generation device. In the drawing, 1 is a compressed font data storage disk, 2 is a disk control unit, 3 is a compressed font data memory, and 4 is a reproduction circuit.

5 is dot pattern memory, 6 is document memory,
7 is a CPU, 8 is a keyboard, 9 is a CRT controller, 10 is a VRAM (video memory), 11 is a CRT,
12 is a printer, 13 is a system bus, and 14 is a reproduction-only bus.

The compressed font data storage disk 1 stores in advance compressed character data of character patterns compressed using a predetermined encoding method such as the MH method or the MR method. For example, in the Mincho typeface, the total number of points is approximately 7,
8.5MB of 500 character dot data is approximately 1.7MB
is compressed and stored.

Note that if the system has a default font, its data is also compressed and stored in this compressed font data storage disk 1. .

When a user first specifies a font when creating a document, the compressed data of that font is read from the disk 1 and sent to the compressed font data memory 3. If there is a default font, its data is also sent to the compressed font data memory 3.

Next, when the number of points is designated, compressed data of all characters of that number of points are transmitted from the compressed font data memory 3 through the reproduction circuit 4.

The image is developed on the dot pattern memory 5. Note that if there is a default font, the compressed data of all default characters of the specified number of points will also be expanded at the same time.

In this state, the document creation system 9 waits for the user's key input, and when the key code is input, character pattern data corresponding to the input key code is developed from the dot pattern memory 5 onto the document memory 6. C
Displayed on the RTll screen.

Incidentally, in the character pattern generating device shown in FIG.

A reproduction-only bus 14 connects the compressed font data storage disk 1, the compressed font data memory 3, the reproduction circuit 4, and the dot pattern memory 5.

When the document creation is completed, the pattern data developed on the document memory 6 is sent to the printer 12 and printed. These operations are similar to conventional high resolution image processing systems.

As already explained, character pattern generators used in various high-resolution/image processing systems that have document creation, editing, and printing functions have 7,500 character types and a pixel density of 300 d/i. Even in this case, the total capacity of the character dot pattern memory is as large as 17MB.

However, the previously proposed character pattern generator can process such a large amount of pattern data, such as MH (
Because it is compressed using encoding methods such as Modified Hoffman) method, MR (Modified Read) method, or M''R method, its capacity has been reduced from the conventional 175 to 1/1.
It can be reduced to 5.

For example, even with the MH method, which has the lowest compression rate, it is possible to reduce the compression rate to about 175, and the memory for storing pattern data can be significantly reduced.

In this way, according to the previously proposed character pattern generation device, it is possible to save memory capacity, but the processing for reproducing character patterns from character codes is not necessarily sufficient, and there is still room for further improvement. left behind.

the purpose Therefore, in the character pattern generating device of this invention.

The previously proposed character pattern generator is further improved to enable further savings in memory capacity for storing pattern data, freeing up memory space for other purposes in the system or reducing memory costs. By separating the system memory and the memory for pattern data, the system memory can be used more effectively, and the reproduction process for reproducing character patterns from character codes can be further simplified and dot expansion of single character patterns can be achieved. The purpose is to realize faster speeds, improve system throughput, and provide an efficient system.

Ao - 11 precepts.

Therefore, in the character pattern generation device of the present invention, character dot patterns can be generated using the MH method, MR method, M
” A ROM that is stored as compressed character data compressed using the R method or other encoding method is provided, and an address means for addressing this ROM is provided, and a font number and point number for specifying the type of font are provided to the address means. By giving a point number code specifying a character and a character code specifying a character, control is performed so that one character of compressed character data is selected from among the compressed character data stored in the ROM.

Furthermore, a reproduction circuit and a display buffer memory are added to the output stage of the ROM, and the compressed character data output from the ROM is controlled to be expanded into the display buffer memory while being reproduced into a character pattern by the reproduction circuit. ing.

Next, embodiments of the character pattern generating device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the main structure of an embodiment of the character pattern generating device of the present invention.

In the drawing, 15 is a microcomputer system;
16 is a latch circuit, 17 is a ROM in which compressed character data is stored, 18 is an address counter, 19 is a playback circuit, 2
o is a document memory, 21 is a display buffer memory, 22 is a print buffer memory, WR is a write command, RD is a read command, and RESE
T indicates a reset signal.

As already explained, even if 8-point, 10-point, and 12-point sized characters in Mincho or Gothic kanji patterns are compressed using the MH method, which has the lowest compression ratio, the size of the characters will be 1 to 2 MB. A small capacity is sufficient.

If this amount of data is stored in a ROM, it is not a large number and can be sufficiently accommodated.

Furthermore, even if pattern data of other point numbers were included, the capacity would be two to three times that amount, which is sufficient capacity for current ROMs. Note that if the data is compressed and encoded using the MR method or the M'R method, which has a high compression rate, the data can be stored in an even smaller capacity memory.

In the character pattern generating device of this invention, the ROM shown in FIG.
17 stores a compressed character pattern compressed character by character using one of such conventional encoding methods.

Since the number of strokes of a character pattern varies, the size of a compressed character code, which is a compressed character pattern, also varies.

Therefore, so that all the necessary characters can be stored, the compressed character code is written in the ROM according to its maximum capacity. For example, assuming that 10 bytes is the maximum, 2 bytes will also be carved to have 10 bytes of space.

Note that a terminator code is added at the end of all compressed character codes.

In this way, compressed character codes are stored in the ROM 17 in units of characters of one point number of one font.

To briefly explain the other configurations, the microcomputer system 15 is basically the same as that shown in FIG. As stated in Figure 3.

The latch circuit 16 is connected to the microcomputer system 15.
A font that specifies the font type given by
Latch the number, the point number code that specifies the number of points, and the character code that specifies the character.

Further, the address counter 18 is a counter for addressing the ROM 17.

The following FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the ROM addressing means in the character pattern generator of the present invention shown in FIG. The symbols in the drawing are the same as in FIG. 1, and 16a is a latch circuit that latches a font number that specifies the type of font and a point number code that specifies the number of points, and 16b is a character code that specifies a character. This shows a latch circuit that latches the .

For example, use 3 bits as the font number to specify the font type, ``''Otp is Mincho typeface, 1
It is determined in advance that 1177 is Gothic. This font number is latched into latch circuit 16a.

Similarly, use 4 bits as the point number code to specify the number of points, for example, JJ OH" is 8 points, I
Set I I IT to 1o points, II 2 PI to 12 points, and so on. This point number code also applies to latch circuit 1.
6a.

Further, 13 to 16 bits are used as a character code for specifying a character, and the code is latched into the latch circuit 16b.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the code of the compressed character pattern can be stored in each address of the ROM 17 in units of one character, which is the minimum unit of one point number of one font. For example, by providing a font number, a point number code, and a character code, pattern data for one required character can be selected.

Next, the operation of the character pattern generating device of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be briefly described.

Now, suppose that the microcomputer system 15 has a key input from a keyboard (not shown).

The microcomputer system 15 inputs the font number and point number code each time a key code is input or when specified in advance.

The character code (or composite character code) to be set in the latch circuit 16a and to be displayed or printed is
Similarly, it is set in the latch circuit 16b.

Each time a key code is input, compressed data of characters corresponding to the key code is read out from the ROM 17 and reproduced.
At the same time as the character is expanded, the pattern data of the character is expanded onto the document memory 20 (or the display buffer memory 21 or the print buffer memory 22).

In this case, the microcomputer system 15 provides the write command WR.

A character code is set in the latch circuit 16b. In addition, the address counter 18 has a character code stored in the latch circuit 16.
A write command WR for setting to b is given as a reset signal RESET.

The outputs of these latch circuits 16a and 16b are stored in the ROM 17.
This is the address for.

The microcomputer system 15 includes a latch circuit 16
After latching the font number, point number code, and character code, a reproduction instruction is given to the reproduction circuit 19.

Upon receiving the reproduction instruction, the reproduction circuit 19 performs a read operation on the ROM 17 and captures the first byte to be reproduced.

At this time, the counter 18, which has been reset in advance by the reset signal RESET, is counted up by one.

Stubble.

During such operations, it is always detected whether the input data is a terminator code. If input of terminator code is detected, at that point R
Stops read operation to OM17.

At the same time, while sequentially reproducing the data up to the terminator code, the character pattern data is stored in the document memory 20 or the display buffer memory 21.
Write on the print buffer memory 22.

When all data reproduction processing is completed through such operations, a termination signal (not specifically shown) is sent to the system.

Microcomputer system 15 that received the end signal
Instructs the next character code, font, and number of points, and repeats the above-described character pattern reproduction operation.

In this way, if compressed character pattern data is stored in each address of the ROM 17 in one character position of one point number of one font, which is the unit of l&small, the font number, point number code By giving , and character code, it is possible to control the playback and expansion of only the minimum necessary units.
In addition, as shown in Fig. 1 and the following Fig. 3, the ROM17
By configuring the bus from code output to character pattern generation in a serial manner, separate from the system bus, pipeline processing during playback of single character patterns becomes possible, and the processing efficiency of the entire system is significantly improved. Ru.

As explained in detail above, in the character pattern generation device of the present invention, the dot pattern of one character is stored as compressed character data compressed by the MH method, MR method, M''R method, or other encoding method. A ROM and an address means for addressing this ROM are provided, and a font/font address for specifying the type of font to the address means is provided.
By giving a number, a point number code that specifies the number of points, and a character code that specifies the letter.

Control is performed so that one character of compressed character data stored in the ROM is selected.

Furthermore, a reproduction circuit and a display buffer memory are added to the output stage of the ROM, and the compressed character data output from the ROM is controlled to be expanded into the display buffer memory while being reproduced into a character pattern by the reproduction circuit. ing.

Therefore, according to the character pattern generation device of the present invention, the previously proposed character pattern generation device is further improved, and the memory for storing pattern data and the system memory can be separated.

Therefore, memory space can be freed up for other purposes in the system or memory costs can be reduced.

In addition, the memory capacity for storing character patterns can be reduced, and the necessary character patterns can be easily accessed, and the reproduction process for reproducing character patterns from single-character codes can be further simplified. speedup is achieved.

Moreover, by separating the system bus and the bus for character pattern generation, the throughput of the system is improved, resulting in many excellent effects such as a highly efficient system.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

m is a functional block diagram showing the main structure of an embodiment of the character pattern generating device of the present invention, and t+ is the RO in the character pattern generating device of the present invention shown in FIG.
IJL is a block diagram showing the address means of M, and IJL is a functional block diagram showing the main part configuration of an embodiment of the previously proposed character pattern generating device. In the drawing, 1 is a compressed font data storage disk;
2 is a disk control unit, 3 is a compressed font data memory, 4 is a playback circuit, 5 is a dot pattern memory, 6 is a document memory, 7 is a CPU, 8 is a keyboard, 9 is a C
RT controller. 10 is VRAM, 11 is CRT, 12 is printer, 13
14 is a system bus, 14 is a reproduction-only bus, 15 is a microcomputer system, 16 is a latch circuit, 17 is a ROM in which compressed character data is stored, 18 is an address counter, 19 is a reproduction circuit, 20 is a document memory, 2
Reference numeral 1 indicates a display buffer memory, and 22 indicates a print buffer memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Equipped with a bitmap memory and a display means such as a CRT, and having at least one of document creation, editing, and printing functions.
In various high-resolution image processing systems that have two functions, there are ROMs in which character dot patterns are stored as compressed character data compressed using the MH method, MR method, M^2R method, and other encoding methods; Addressing means for addressing the ROM is provided, and a font number for specifying the type of font, a point number code for specifying the number of points, and a character code for specifying the character are given to the address means. A character pattern generation device characterized in that it controls to select one character of compressed character data from stored compressed character data. 2. In the character pattern generating device according to claim 1, a reproducing circuit and a display buffer memory are added to the output stage of the ROM, and the compressed character data output from the ROM is reproduced by the reproducing circuit. The character pattern generating device is characterized in that the character pattern generating device controls the character pattern to be developed in the display buffer memory.