Character processor provided with dot pattern correcting function

Abstract: A character processor for reading a source character from a character generator and outputting it to an out­ put unit after editing, is provided with a dot pattern correcting function, which comprises generating a magni­ fied thick character by magnifying the read source chara­ cter pattern, generating a magnified blanked character by magnifying the read source character pattern in parallel with the magnified thick character generation, shifting the magnified blanked character in predetermined directions synthesizing the magnified thick character and the shifted magnified blanked character, removing a domain surrounded by a contour of the magnified blanked character from the magnified thick character, thereby generating a magnified blanked character with a thick contour.

Description: The present invention relates to a character processor such as a word processor, office computer or the like and concerns a character processor provided with a dot pattern correcting function capable of correcting outline contours of thick characters, symbols, graphic forms, and others when they are magnified and sent to an output unit such as a display, printer or the like. Generally in a word processor, office computer or the like, data, represented as characters, symbols or graphic forms or the like, which is inputted through an input unit, is subjected to editing. Then it is output to a printer as a sequence of dot patterns, or it is output to a CRT display. The characters are frequently magnified before outputting so as to emphasize them. A blanked character, as source which can be inputted in a word processor, can also be magnified. As referred to, herein, a blanked character is a character which is represented by a contour outline only. Normally, the blanked character, even when magnified, has a one dot thickness to delineate it. Such prior art blanked character generation is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 219180/1987 titled "Pattern Generator". However, with dot pattern processing according to the aforementioned prior art, since the thickness of a line of the blanked character is constant (1 dot) at all times regardless of magnification, the line of a magnified blanked character is limited in its ability to be magnified, being either too narrow or too thin. Accordingly, for blanked characters, the disadvantage inherent in the prior art is that it is not possible to emphasize them by the normal process of magnification. The invention provides a character processor provided with a dot pattern correcting function, comprising a character pattern storage device for storing data of various source character patterns formed by dots, an input means having an input key for inputting character data and an edit key for editing source character patterns through magnification or the like, a reading device for reading one source character pattern from the character pattern storage device upon receipt of character data inputted from the input means including a temporary storage device for temporarily storing the source character pattern read out, and a magnified blanked character generation device for generating a magnified blanked character pattern by performing an exclusive OR between the source character pattern and a character pattern synthesized by fetching the source character pattern from the temporary storage device when instruction for magnification is received from the input means and magnifying it, the blank character pattern being shifted vertically or horizontally, or in both directions. It further comprises a magnified thick character generation device for fetching the source character pattern from the temporary storage device when the instruction for magnification is received from the input means, adding dots according to the magnification on one or two predetermined adjacent sides of the source character pattern, thereby generating a magnified thick character, said device magnifying the character pattern with the same magnification as with the magnified blank character pattern, a pattern shift device for shifting the magnified blanked character pattern a predetermined number of dots to the same side, or sides, as that to which dots are added to the thick character at the time of magnified thick character generation, a synthesis device for synthesizing the magnified blanked character pattern by removing a portion of the magnified thick character surrounded by the outline contour of the shifted magnified blanked character, thereby generating a magnified blanked character with a thick contour, and an output device for outputting the magnified blanked character output from the synthesis means. The character pattern storage device may comprise a character generator, and the temporary storage device may comprise a buffer. Another mode of the invention concerns a dot pattern correcting method and comprises the steps of: (a) reading a source character pattern from a character pattern storage device; (b) generating a magnified blanked character pattern from the read source character pattern by performing an exclusive OR between the source character pattern and a character pattern synthesized by magnifying the source character patterns read out from the character pattern storage device; (c) generating a magnified thick character, in parallel with the magnified blank character generation, by adding dots to the read source character pattern on one or two predetermined adjacent sides thereof to provide the same magnification as that of the magnified blank character, then shifting it vertically or horizontally or in both directions; (d) shifting the magnified blanked character pattern a predetermined number of dots to the same side or sides on which dots are added at the time of magnified thick character generation; (e) synthesizing the magnified thick character pattern and the shifted magnified blanked character pattern by removing a portion or dots from said magnified thick character surrounded by the outline contour of the shifted magnified blanked character, thereby generating a magnified blanked character pattern with a thick contour. In the step (d), it is preferable that the magnified blanked character pattern be shifted vertically for 1/2 of the number of dots added according to a vertical magnification factor and also transversely for 1/2 of the number of dots added according to a transverse magnification factor. Accordingly a magnified character is corrected by having outline contours of the blanked character thickened in relation to the magnification factor, and the previous disadvantage of the contour becoming too narrow or thin with the blanked character being magnified is thereby eliminated. Thus, the character style becomes clear, and a distinct magnified blanked character is obtainable. Hereinafter an embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a flowchart representing a dot pattern correction given in one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram representing a construction of a device used in the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a typical drawing showing contents of a work buffer in the processing of the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a source pattern of character "A" used for description of the embodiment. Fig. 5 to Fig. 9 are typical drawings for illustrating a magnified blanked character generation of the embodiment. Fig. 10 is an explanatory drawing showing a pattern of the magnified blanked character generated according to the embodiment. Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are typical drawings for illustrating a magnified thick character generation according to the embodiment. Fig. 13 is an explanatory drawing showing a pattern of the magnified character generated according to the embodiment. Fig. 14 is an explanatory drawing showing a pattern of the magnified thick character generated according to the embodiment. Fig. 15 is a block diagram for illustrating a processing of the embodiment. Fig. 16 is an explanatory drawing showing a pattern of the magnified blanked character ultimately generated according to the embodiment. The dot pattern correcting method of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 1 and combines conventional blanked character generation with conventional thick character generation and effects the further pattern editing to thereby generate a blanked character with thickened outline. In Fig. 2 block 9 denotes an input unit, which is provided with an input key for inputting character codes and an edit key for editing source character patterns (e.g. by a process of magnification). A block 10 denotes a sentence memory for storing codes indicating character, symbol, graphic forms and the like which are fed successively from the input unit 9. A block 11 denotes a character generator where source dot patterns corresponding to character, symbol, graphic forms and others, have been stored and which converts a character code, for example, fed from the sentence memory 10, into a dot pattern when is then outputted to a pattern buffer 12. The pattern buffer 12 temporarily holds source dot pattern data fed from the character generator 11, and outputs the source dot pattern directly to an output unit 15, such as a printer or the like, when magnification is not required. A block 13 denotes a dot pattern correction circuit, which fetches the character source dot patterns successively from the pattern buffer 12, supplies a predetermined correction, and then outputs the data as various character dot patterns. A block 14 denotes a final editing circuit, which processes each correction pattern fed from the dot pattern correction circuit 13 into the required dot pattern and outputs it to the output unit 15. The blanked character generation as used in the embodiment is described further with reference to Fig. 13 to Fig. 16. In the processing, a work buffer such as shown in Fig. 3 is used. Fig. 4 represents a source pattern of the character "A" displayed as a dot matrix of 24 x 24 dots. Here, we describe a basic method for generating the blanked character by leaving only the outline contours of the magnified character. The blanked character generation is attained by repeating each processing of "magnified character expansion" in respect of portions of the character to achieve magnification of the whole character according to a magnified character generation algorithm, carrying out a "blanking" operation for leaving only the outline of the contours of the character, transmitting a generated blanked character pattern to a print buffer, and a "pattern shift" for shifting the patterns within a work buffer. A blanked character for each line is obtainable through repeating the process above; therefore a specified blanked character is generated by changing the line and repeating in accordance with a vertical scale factor. Next, the aforementioned each process step will be described in detail. (1) Blanking Blanking entails obtaining the contour point in respect of each discrete part of a pattern through the following logical operation by a byte unit, after magnification of the character. Here, information shown in Fig. 5 is sent from the pattern buffer 12. For example, a generation of blanked pattern "X" of a byte "A" will be considered. X = (A AND (NOT C)) OR (A AND (NOT E)) OR (A AND (NOT A1)) OR (A AND (NOT A2)) A1 = shifting byte A right by 1 bit accompanied by least significant bit of byte B A2 = shifting byte A left by 1 bit accompanied by most significant bit of byte D Where in respect of byte A, B and D are the vertically adjacent bytes, C and E are the horizontally adjacent bytes and A1 and A2 are the products of the specified logical operations. Thus, the contour point is obtained for "A" by referring to the vertically and horizontally adjacent bytes, thereby generating "X". The byte for blanking is that corresponding to an oblique line portion of a character in the work buffer shown in Fig. 6. As described above, to obtain the contour point a reference is necessary to the vertically and horizontally adjacent bytes. Therefore there is provided one dot column vertically of the respective oblique line portion of the work buffer. The generated contour pattern is loaded one column ahead. In the case of Fig. 5, the contour pattern "X" of "A" is loaded at a position of "C". (2) Magnification of a Character In Fig. 7, a part of the character (print head width x lateral scale factor) is magnified on an oblique line portion of the work buffer according to the magnified character generation algorithm. In the case where merely the magnified character is generated, a portion of the oblique line 7a shown in Fig. 7 may be processed; however, for blanking, the portion 7b must be magnified. (3) Transmission to Output Buffer A blanked character pattern generated through the aforementioned process is transmitted to the output buffer. As described, since the blanked character pattern is generated successively one column ahead, a domain for transmitting to the output buffer is an oblique line portion of the work buffer shown in Fig. 8. (4) Shift of Pattern When the character is transmitted to the output buffer, the dot pattern is shifted within the work buffer as shown in Fig. 9 (so as to prepare for the next column processing). The blanked character is generated by repeating the above-described process. Fig. 10 represents a magnified blanked character generated through the above-described processing, by a factor of 3 magnification. The prior art processing for generating a thick character will be described next. A thick character is magnified on the right side, dots 11b being added on the right side and under side of the black dot source pattern 11a as shown in Fig. 11, the dots 11b (each indicated by the mark " ○ " in the drawings" being added in accordance with the magnification factor. Fig. 12 is an explanatory drawing showing the state of additional bits when the vertical magnification factor is 5 times, wherein ten black dots, in two columns longitudinally, per dot of the source dot pattern are added. Fig. 13 represents a normally magnified character and Fig 14 represents a magnified thick character obtained through the above-described process. The embodiment of the invention comprises, as described above, combining a prior art blanked character generation and thick character generation, and incorporates further processing of a blanked character in the dot pattern correction circuit 13 and in the final editing circuit 14 (which are portions representing features of the embodiment). The pattern buffer 12 temporarily holds dot patterns fed successively from the character generator 11 for one line characters, for example, and outputs them directly to the output unit 15 such as printer, display or the like to print or display in normal case (where magnification is not carried out). However, in the case that a magnified blanked character is displayed, the dot pattern correction circuit 13 is actuated to load therein an applicable dot information from the pattern buffer 12. Then, the loaded dot information is subjected to the prior art blanked character generation and thick character generation, and the blanked character is generated in the final editing circuit 14. Fig. 15 is a block diagram showing the operation of the preferred embodiment. In the drawing, a block 20 indicates the initial state of the source dot pattern. Here, if generation of a blanked character is indicated, a thick character generation shown in a block 21 is carried out by adding the dot 11b to the source dot pattern 11a, and thereby thick characters are generated. Further, the source dot pattern 11a is subjected to blanking as shown in a block 22 in parallel with the processing of block 21, and a blanked character 11c is generated. Then, the blanked character pattern obtained through blanking is shifted according to a pattern shift shown in a block 23. The shifting is realized by shifting the character by a predetermined number of dots to the same side as the side to which dots are added at the time of thick character generation (shifting from a position indicated by a dotted line to a position indicated by a full line in the block 23). That is, the shifting is made slantingly right and downwards for 1/2 the number of dots than those which are added at the time of thick character generation (longitudinally for 1/2 the number of dots added on a vertical scale factor, and transversely for 1/2 the number of dots added on a transverse scale factor). Next, character patterns which are output from the thick character generation (block 21) and the pattern shifting (block 23) are synthesized by superposition shown in a block 24. Then, a magnified blanked character shown in Fig. 16 is obtainable by removing the domain surrounded by a contour of the shifted magnified blanked character pattern from the magnified thick character pattern. Accordingly, from the dot pattern correcting method of the embodiment, a contour of the blanked character can be thickened according to the magnification factor. Since a character contour will not be thinned by magnifying the blanked character, an emphasis of characters which is the object of character magnification will not be lost. Whilst the case where the character pattern 24 x 24 dots in one character construction has been described, the character construction is not necessarily limited to 24 x 24 dots, and the embodiment can also be put into practice for other dot construction. Further, the direction in which a magnified blanked character pattern is shifted is not limited to "slantingly right and downwards" as long as they are the same as the direction in which dots are added at the time of thick character generation.

Claims: A character processor provided with a dot pattern correcting function, comprising a character pattern storage device (11) for storing data of various source character patterns formed by dots, an input means (9) having an input key for inputting character data and an edit key for editing source character patterns through magnification or the like, and a reading device (12) for reading one source character pattern from the character pattern storage device upon receipt of character data inputted from the input means, said reading device including a temporary storage device for temporarily storing the source character pattern read out and a magnified blanked character generation device (22) for generating a magnified blanked character pattern by performing an exclusive OR between the source character pattern and a character pattern synthesized by fetching the source character pattern from the temporary storage device when instruction for magnification is received from the input means and magnifying it, the blank character pattern being shifted vertically or horizontally or in both directions, characterised in that it further comprises a magnified thick character generation device (21) for fetching the source character pattern from the temporary storage device when the instruction for magnification is received from the input means, adding dots according to the magnification on one or two predetermined adjacent sides of the source character pattern thereby generating a magnified thick character, said device magnifying the character pattern with the same magnification as with the magnified blank character pattern, a pattern shift device (13) for shifting the magnified blanked character pattern a predetermined number of dots to the same side, or sides, as that to which dots are added to the thick character at the time of magnified thick character generation, a synthesis device (24) for synthesizing the magnified blanked character pattern by removing a portion of the magnified thick character surrounded by the outline contour of the shifted magnified blanked character, thereby generating a magnified blanked character with a thick contour, and an output device (15) for outputting the magnified blanked character output from the synthesis device. A character processor according to Claim 1, in which said character pattern storage device (11) comprises a character generator. A character processor according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which said temporary storage device (12) comprises a buffer for storing character dot patterns therein. A character processor according to any preceding claim wherein said magnified thick character generation device (21) adds a predetermined number of dots to one predetermined side in a vertical direction and adds a predetermined number of dots to one predetermined side in a horizontal direction. A character processor according to any preceding claim wherein said pattern shift device (13) shifts said magnified character pattern contour outline by 1/2 the number of dots previously added by said magnified thick character generation means, in each of said directions. A dot pattern correcting method in a character processor for reading a source character dot pattern from a pattern storage device, editing by magnification or the like and then outputting to an output unit, comprising:- (a) reading a source character pattern from a character pattern storage device (11); and (b) generating a magnified blanked character pattern (11 c ) from the read source character pattern by performing an exclusive OR between the source character pattern and a character pattern synthesized by magnifying the source character patterns read out from the character pattern storage device, the blank character being shifted vertically or horizontally or in both directions; characterised in that the method further comprises: (c) generating a magnified thick character (11 a ), 11 b ), in parallel with the magnified blank character generation, by adding dots to the read source character pattern on one or two predetermined adjacent sides thereof to provide the same magnification as that of the magnified blank character, (d) shifting the magnified blanked character pattern a predetermined number of dots to the same side or sides on which dots are added at the time of magnified thick character generation; and (e) synthesizing the magnified thick character pattern and the shifted magnified blanked character pattern by removing a portion of dots from said magnified thick character surrounded by the outline contour of the shifted magnified blanked character, thereby generating a magnified blanked character pattern with a thick contour. The dot pattern correcting method according to Claim 6, wherein the step (d) comprises shifting the magnified blanked character pattern vertically by 1/2 the number of dots added according to a vertical magnification factor and also transversely by 1/2 the number of dots added according to a horizontal magnification factor.

Inventors: SAITO KEIZO, WATANABE MASANOBU, SAITO, KEIZO, WATANABE, MASANOBU
Applicants: SHARP KK, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G09G1
IPC codes: G06K15, B41J2, G09G5, G06F3