JPH07200561A - Character pattern generator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] A wide variety of character patterns can be generated by generating a new typeface character font from a plurality of pre-existing existing typefaces, and when creating a new typeface,
It enables the user to select a typeface with a name that allows the user to intuitively recall the typeface image. [Structure] Font memories 11-1 to 11-n, 12-
Character fonts of a plurality of fonts having the same data structure and different coordinate values are stored in 1 to 12-n. In the typeface selection register group 15, a plurality of pair composition ratios and names are stored in association with each other. When an arbitrary name is designated from the key input unit, a composition ratio corresponding to the name is selected, and the typeface composition device 13 composes corresponding coordinate data of a plurality of reference character fonts based on this composition ratio. Generates a new character font.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character pattern generator for generating a character pattern from an outline font in a document processor such as a word processor or a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a document processing device such as a word processor, character fonts (outline fonts) corresponding to various typefaces such as Mincho typeface, Gothic typeface, and square typeface are preliminarily R.
OM is stored for each typeface (read only memory), when outputting the character string data inputted, When specified whether to output the character string in advance in what typeface,
The typeface is switched in response to this, the character font corresponding to the typeface is read from the memory, converted into a character pattern, and output.

[0003]

However, in the conventional document processing apparatus, except for those supplied externally from a floppy disk or the like, it is impossible to use other than the built-in typefaces, and the typefaces that are unique to the user are available. However, there is a drawback in that the degree of freedom is extremely low because the request cannot be met. Therefore, a new typeface that has intermediate characteristics of multiple typefaces (for example, Mincho typeface and Gothic typeface) is newly added to the ROM.
If it is built in, the selection range of the user can be expanded to that extent, but it is not always possible to meet the user's request, and it is large-scale to build a wide variety of typefaces in the ROM. There is a problem that memory is required. An object of the present invention is to generate a character font of a new typeface from a plurality of preexisting typefaces that are built in advance to generate a wide variety of character patterns. The typeface is selected with a name that can recall the typeface image.

[0004]

The means of the present invention are as follows. (1) The font storage means has the same data structure corresponding to a plurality of typefaces and stores character fonts having different coordinate values of coordinate data for each typeface. For example, Mincho typeface or Gothic typeface. Etc. is an outline font. (2) The combination ratio / name storage means stores a plurality of preset combination ratios and names set in association with the combination ratios in order to combine the respective character fonts of a plurality of fonts as a combination target. To do. (3) The name designating means is a key input device or the like for designating a name. Here, the name is a name that shows the characteristics of the typeface,
For example, in addition to the usual Mincho typeface, Gothic typeface, etc., the name is a name that allows you to intuitively imagine a typeface image such as "strong", "light", "heavy", "young", and the like. (4), the composition ratio reading means reads the composition ratio corresponding to the name designated by the name designating means. (5) The font generation means, when the character fonts to be combined are read from the font storage means, the coordinate data having a corresponding relationship is based on the combination ratio read by the combination ratio reading means. A character font of a new typeface is generated by combining the two.

[0005]

The operation of the means of the present invention is as follows. Now, it is assumed that the Mincho font and the Gothic font are the existing fonts, the compositing ratio for composing them is complicatedly set, and the name is set in association with each compositing ratio. Here, when the user designates an arbitrary name desired from the list display screen or the like, the composition ratio corresponding to the designated name is read. In this case, the composition ratio of Mincho typeface and Gothic typeface is "6: 4".
Is read out, each coordinate data of the Mincho font and each coordinate data of the Gothic font having a corresponding relationship with each other are synthesized based on the synthesis ratio 6: 4. The new synthetic font generated by this is Mincho type 60.
%, And the Gothic font has a characteristic of 40%, and a character pattern is generated based on this new synthetic character font. Therefore, a new typeface character font can be generated from a plurality of preexisting typefaces that are built in advance to generate a wide variety of character patterns, and when a new typeface is generated, the user can sense the typeface image. It is possible to select a typeface with a name that can be recalled.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a word processor equipped with a character pattern generator. The main control unit 1 controls the whole operation of the word processor according to various programs. When the document data is input from the key operation unit 2, the main control unit 1 fetches the document data and gives it to the display control unit 3 to display it. Document creation processing for displaying and outputting from the device 4 and storing in the document memory 5 is performed. The main control unit 1 reads the content of the document memory 5 in response to a save command from the key operation unit 2, gives it to the external storage control device 6, and registers it in the external storage device 7 such as a floppy disk.

The character font generator 8 generates an outline font used when the contents of the document memory 5 are printed out, and the main controller 1 prints the outline font generated by the character font generator 8. It is converted into a dot pattern (character pattern), given to the print control unit 9, and printed out from the printing apparatus 10. The character font generation device 8 also stores fonts (outline fonts) corresponding to a plurality of fonts in font memories 11-1 to 11-n and 12-1 to 12-n.
And the font memories 11-1 to 11-n, 12-1
12-n, a typeface synthesizing device 13 for generating a new typeface character font by synthesizing the character fonts read out from each of the font type synthesizers 12-n, and this typeface synthesizing device 13
And a character font buffer 14 for temporarily storing a typeface font for one character generated by.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the character font generator 8. Font memory 11-1 to 11
A normal outline font (hereinafter referred to as a reference character font) is stored in each of -n and 12-1 to 12-n for each typeface. In this embodiment, "n = 3" is set and the font memory 11 is used. -1 to 11-n store reference character fonts of the first thickness, for example, Mincho type font, Gothic type font, and brush typeface font having a standard thickness. Also, the font memories 12-1 to 12-n
A typeface font having a second thickness, for example, a thick Mincho typeface font, a Gothic typeface font, and a writing brush typeface font is stored. Here, each font memory 11-1 to 1
The character fonts of the same character stored in 1-n and 12-1 to 12-n are outline fonts having the same data structure and different only in the coordinate value of the coordinate data. Given to.

In the typeface synthesizing device 13, the typeface selection register group 15 is composed of a ROM, and in order to synthesize each character font of a plurality of existing typefaces as a synthesis target, a plurality of fixed types are set in advance by the maker side. Synthesis ratio register 15 for storing the synthesis ratio of n (n)
-1m, and a name register 15-2m that stores a name (name indicating a characteristic of the typeface) fixedly set in association with the composition ratio register. Here, each of the composition ratio registers 15-1m is n (n = 3 in this embodiment).
Value) R1, R2, Rn (composition ratio of typeface type)
And the composite ratios A and B of the first thickness and the second thickness. The thickness ratios A and B are “A = 100−
B ”. Further, the contents of each name register 15-2m are listed on the list screen from the display device 4, and when the user operates a cursor key to specify an arbitrary name, the synthesis ratio register 15- corresponding to this name is displayed.
1m is selected.

In the typeface synthesizer 13, the multiplier 16
-1 to 16-n are provided corresponding to the font memories 11-1 to 11-n in which the reference character font of the first thickness is stored, and the coordinate data of the corresponding typeface and the selected composite The result is multiplied by the composite ratio in the ratio register 15-1m and given to the adder 18. The multipliers 17-1 to 17-n are provided corresponding to the font memories 17-1 to 17-n in which the reference character font of the second thickness is stored, and the coordinate data of the corresponding typeface and the selection. The combined ratio in the combined ratio register 15-1m
Give to. The adder 18 is the corresponding multiplier 16-1 to 16
All the output results of -n are added, and similarly, the adder 19 adds all the output results of the corresponding multipliers 17-1 to 17-n. The result) is given to the corresponding multiplier 20 and multiplier 21. The multiplier 20 multiplies the output result of the adder 18 and the synthesis ratio A of the first thickness and gives the result to the adder 22.
Is multiplied by the output result of the adder 19 and the second thickness composition ratio B and is given to the adder 22 for addition (thickness composition). The normalization device 23 normalizes the output result of the adder 22 based on the content of the selected synthesis ratio register 15-1m to match the size of the reference character font, and is selected as the normalization method in this case. It is realized by adding all the values R1 to Rn, A and B of the composition ratio register 15-1m and dividing the output from the adder 22 by the value. The output from the normalizer 23 is written in the character font buffer 14. When the coordinate data for one character is written in the character font buffer 14, the main controller 1 accesses the character font buffer 14 and converts it into a character pattern.

FIG. 3 shows font memories 11-1 to 11n,
12-1 to 12-n are diagrams showing a data structure example of character fonts stored in 12-1 to 12-n. The character font is an outline font and is represented by contour lines forming characters, and is in the form of an identifier + coordinate data string. It is stored. That is, the type of identifier and the data following it are defined as shown in FIG. 3A. In the figure, the identifier of the starting point and the coordinate data following it are shown, and is a straight line, is a Bezier curve, and is 1 The contour line end indicates a one-character end identifier and the coordinate data following the identifier. For example, the Bezier curve has an identifier “02” and first control point coordinates (X1,
Y1), second control point coordinates (X2, Y2), end point coordinates (Xt, Yt). Further, FIG. 3B shows a memory storage state in which state the identifier and the data following the identifier are stored in the memory. The character font buffer 14 also stores data in the same format.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data of a standard character font having the same thickness but different typeface. FIG. 4A shows a character "a" having a standard thickness stored in the font memory 11-1. Mincho font, (B) is the font memory 11
2 shows a Gothic font of the character "A" having a standard thickness stored in "-2". Here, in the figure, □ is the starting coordinate of the contour line, ○ is the first control point of the Bezier curve,
● is the second control point of the Bezier curve, and × is the end of the Bezier curve or the end of the straight line. Both fonts of this character "A" have the same data structure but differ only in coordinate values.
In the Gothic font shown in FIG. 4B, "A"
The horizontal line forming the character is a straight line, and originally, the first control point ◯ and the second control point  of the Bezier curve are unnecessary, but they are provided in order to make the data structure the same as the Mincho type.
That is, the number and order of the coordinate points forming the re-font are the same, but the two differ only in the position of the coordinate points.
Here, in the figure, the coordinate points of the Mincho type are A1, A2, A3 ...
…, Gothic coordinate points are B1, B2, B3 ..., A1 and B1, A2 and B at the end point of the Bezier curve.
2, and A3 and B3 of the second control point ● of the Bezier curve have a correspondence relationship, and all other coordinate points are also associated with 1: 1. In this way, fonts can be combined by making each font have the same data structure.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Now, the font memories 11-1 to 11-
n stores a Mincho typeface font, a Gothic typeface font, and a brush typeface font having a standard weight, and font memories 12-1 to 12-n have a thicker Mincho typeface font, a Gothic typeface font, It is assumed that the brush typeface font is stored. In this state, when the user gives an instruction from the key operation unit 2 to select the typeface of the generated character font, the main control unit 1 reads the contents of each name register 15-2m in the character font generation device 8. Display a list on the list screen. Where each name register 1
As shown in FIG. 9, for example, in 5-2 m, in addition to the usual names such as “Mincho type”, “Gothic type”, and “typeface”,
As a name that allows you to intuitively imagine the characteristics of the typeface of a synthetic character font, "friendly", "strong", "weak",
“Light”, “heavy”, and “young” are set. When an arbitrary name is designated from this list screen, the main control unit 1 selects the synthesis ratio register 15-1m corresponding to the name register 15-2m. In this case, in each composition ratio register 15-1m, the composition strength (0 to 100) is set for each type and thickness of the typeface in association with the name as shown in FIG. Now, when selecting a standard thickness Mincho type font as a normal character font, the name "Mincho type" is specified from the list screen. Then R1 = 100, R
2, the synthesis ratio register 15-1m having the values of R3 = 0 and B = 0 (A = 100) is selected. In addition, when the name of “gentle” is selected, R1 = 69, R2 = 41, R
The synthesis ratio register 15-1m having the values of n = 0 and B = 16 (A = 84) is selected.

Here, when the activation command is given to the character font generation device 8, the character font generation device 8 executes the operation according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First,
The character font generator 8 sets the starting address of a reference character pointer (not shown) in order to address the beginning of the reference character font data to be combined (step S1). This reference character pointer designates the read address of the font memories 11-1 to 11-n and 12-1 to 12-n. It may be provided for each font memory, but only one reference character pointer is provided. Addressing may be performed by adding the offset addresses of the above to obtain the real address. Next, the character font generator 8 sets a value for designating the start address of the character font buffer 14 in a generated character pointer (not shown) (step S2). The generated character pointer is a pointer that designates the write address of the character font buffer 14.

After such initialization processing, the process proceeds to step S3, and the reference character font data read by the designation of the reference character pointer is an identifier, that is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether the start point identifier is “00”, the straight line end point identifier is “01”, the bezier identifier is “02”, the contour end identifier is “03”, and the one character end identifier is “04”. Here, since the starting point identifier "00" is initially read, the process proceeds to step S10, and this identifier is written as it is at the address position of the character font buffer 14 designated by the generated character pointer. And the next step S
In 11, it is determined whether this identifier is the 1-character end identifier "04". In this case, since it is not the 1-character end identifier,
While updating the value of the reference character pointer (step S
8) and updates the value of the generated character pointer (step S
9) Then, the process returns to step S3.

Next, since the data read from each reference character font following the start point identifier is the start point coordinates,
This is detected in step S3, and the flow advances to step S4 to perform the typeface synthesis product sum processing. That is, the multiplier 16-
1 to 16-n and 17-1 to 17-n are selected as the starting point coordinates of the reference character font read from the corresponding font memories 11-1 to 11-n and 12-1 to 12-n. The values R1 to Rn from the composition ratio register 15-1m are multiplied. Now, assuming that the composition ratio register 15-1m corresponding to the name “gentle” is selected, the composition ratio register 15-1m has a multiplication coefficient R1 = 6.
Since 9, R2 = 41, and Rn = 0 are set, for example, the multiplier 16-1 multiplies the start point coordinates of the standard thickness Mincho font by “69”, and similarly, 17-
1 multiplies the start point coordinates of the thick Mincho font by "69". The start point coordinates of each reference character font multiplied by the corresponding values of R1 to Rn in this way are the multiplier 16-
1 to 16-n and multipliers 17-1 to 17-n, and send to the corresponding adders 18 and 19. Here, the adder 18 adds all the values of the multipliers 16-1 to 16-n to obtain the total value, and similarly, the adder 19 outputs the multiplier 17-
All the values 1 to 17-n are added to obtain the total value.

When the typeface combined product-sum processing is performed in this way, the process proceeds to the next step S5, and the combined thickness product-addition processing is executed. That is, the multipliers 20 and 21 correspond to the corresponding adder 1
Combined ratio register 15-selected to the total value of 8 and 19-
Multiply the values A, B from 1 m. Now, assuming that the composition ratio register 15-1m corresponding to the name "gentle" is selected, B of the composition ratio register 15-1m is selected.
= 16 (A = 84) is set, the multiplier 20
Multiplies the output result of the adder 18 by A = 84 as a multiplication coefficient, and the multiplier 21 multiplies the output result of the adder 19 by B = 16 as a multiplication coefficient and gives the result to the adder 22. The total is calculated by.

Then, the normalizing device 23 adds the values in the composition ratio register 15-1m to obtain the total sum thereof, and divides the output result of the adder 22 by the total sum for normalization (step S6). . In this way, the normalization device 2
The coordinate data normalized by 3 is written in the address position of the character font buffer 14 designated by the registered character pointer (step S7). Then, in steps S8 and S9, the reference character pointer and the registered character pointer are updated, and the process returns to step S3.
Repeat until the character end identifier is read.

Here, in FIG. 6, (A) shows a state in which the standard thickness Mincho font and the standard thickness Gothic font shown in FIG. 4 are superimposed, and (B) shows. It is the figure which expanded a part of it and is A1 and B1 of A point, A2 and B.
2. The points A3 and B3 correspond to the coordinate points of both fonts, and all other points correspond to 1: 1. A new coordinate point is obtained between the corresponding coordinate points by synthesizing the corresponding coordinate points based on the synthesizing ratio. As a result, a character font of a desired typeface is generated from both fonts and written in the character font buffer 14.

In FIG. 7, (A) shows a standard Mincho typeface font, and (B) shows an example of a thick Mincho typeface font. Even in this case, both fonts have the same data structure. Only the coordinate values differ, and each coordinate point is 1: 1
Is associated with. When these two fonts are overlapped, it becomes as shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 8B is a partially enlarged view thereof. Even for fonts having different thicknesses, new coordinate points are obtained between corresponding coordinate points by synthesizing corresponding coordinate points based on the synthesizing ratio. A new typeface character font is created and written in the character font buffer 14.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by simply designating a name that allows the user to intuitively imagine a typeface image,
It is possible to newly generate a wide variety of character fonts as shown in FIG. 9 from existing reference character fonts.

In the above embodiment, the typeface selection register group 1 is used.
5 is composed of a ROM, and a maker side preliminarily synthesizes ratio register 15-1m and name register 15-2m.
Although the predetermined data is fixedly set to, the typeface selection register group 15 is configured by the RAM, and the fixed name data determined in advance by the manufacturer as the initial value is copied to the typeface selection register group 15, and If the user inputs a name and a composition ratio and sets it in the font selection register group 15 in order to obtain an arbitrary font, the name according to the user's preference and a character font with a rich font can be obtained. Is possible.

[0023]

According to the present invention, a new typeface character font can be generated from a plurality of preexisting existing typefaces to generate a wide variety of character patterns, and when a new typeface is generated, It is possible for the user to select a typeface with a name that allows the user to intuitively recall the typeface image. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain the character pattern of various typefaces desired by the user, which is extremely practical.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a word processor equipped with a character pattern generation device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a character font generator 8.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a data structure of a character font.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of standard character fonts having the same thickness but different typefaces, (A) showing a Mincho type character font, and (B) showing a Gothic type character font.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the character font generation device 8.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a correspondence relationship of coordinates by overlapping two reference character fonts having different typefaces,
4A is the Mincho typeface font shown in FIG.
The figure which showed the state which overlapped with the Gothic font shown in (B), and (B) is the partially expanded view.

7A and 7B show examples of reference character fonts having the same typeface but different thicknesses, FIG. 7A shows a Mincho type character font with a standard thickness, and FIG. 7B shows a thick Mincho type character font. Fig.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a correspondence relationship of coordinates by overlapping two reference character fonts having different thicknesses,
FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which the Mincho typeface font having the standard thickness shown in FIG. 7A and the thick Mincho typeface font shown in FIG. (B) is a partially enlarged view.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a character font generated based on the contents of the typeface selection register group 15.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 main control unit 2 key operation unit 5 document memory 8 character font generator 11-1 to 11-n, 12-1 to 12-n font memory 13 typeface synthesizer 14 character font buffer 15 typeface selection register group 15-1m synthesis Ratio register 15-2m Name register 16-1 to 16-n, 17-1 to 17-n, 20, 21
Multipliers 18, 19, 22 Adder 23 Normalizer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A font storage unit for storing character fonts having the same data structure corresponding to a plurality of typefaces and having different coordinate values of coordinate data for each typeface, and combining the character fonts of the plurality of typefaces. In order to combine as a target, a combination ratio / name storage means for storing a plurality of preset combination ratios and a name set in association with this combination ratio; a name designating means for designating a name; A combination ratio reading unit that reads a combination ratio corresponding to the name designated by the designating unit, and coordinate data that have a correspondence relationship when the character fonts to be combined are read from the font storage unit. A font generating means for generating a character font of a new typeface by synthesizing based on the synthesizing ratio read by the ratio reading means. Character pattern generating apparatus being characterized in that so as to generate a character pattern based on character font new font generated by the font generation means.