Patent Publication Number: US-7714879-B2

Title: Character/graphic display apparatus, character/graphic display method, program, and recording medium

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a character/graphic display apparatus including a display device having a display area for displaying a plurality of characters or graphics and also including a control section for controlling the display device, a character/graphic display method, a program, and a recording medium. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Recently, there have been more and more opportunities for reading characters displayed by a display device included in a mobile information device. A mobile information device includes modification means for modifying character sizes, inter-character spaces, and the like. The user operates the modification means to modify, for example, the character size or the inter-character space provided by the display device to a desired character size or a desired inter-character space. 
       FIG. 18  shows a display screen which displays characters. 
     A display screen  18 A shows an example in which the characters are displayed densely. It is difficult to read the characters displayed densely. 
     A display screen  18 B shows an example in which the characters are displayed less densely. The user of a mobile information device reads the characters displayed by a display device included therein. The user operates the mobile information device so as to enlarge the inter-character space on the display screen  18 A for the purpose of easily reading the characters. 
     There are two methods (1) and (2) usable by the user to enlarge the inter-character space for easily reading the characters. With method (1), the character size is enlarged and the inter-character space is enlarged. With method (2), the character size is not changed and the inter-character space is enlarged. 
       FIG. 19  shows an example of a display area which displays characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (1). A display area  19 A is a display area before the inter-character space is enlarged. A display area  19 B is a display area after the inter-character space is enlarged. It is assumed herein that in each of the hatched zones in the display areas, a character having the same size as that of the corresponding hatched zone is displayed. 
       FIG. 20  shows an example of a display area which displays characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). A display area  20 A is a display area before the inter-character space in a length direction is enlarged. A display area  20 B is a display area after the inter-character space in the length direction is enlarged. It is assumed herein that in each of the hatched zones in the display areas, a character having the same size as that of the corresponding hatched zone is displayed. 
       FIG. 21  shows an example of a display area which displays characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). A display area  21 A is a display area before the inter-character space in the width direction is enlarged. A display area  21 B is a display area after the inter-character space in a width direction is enlarged. It is assumed herein that in each of the hatched zones in the display areas, a character having the same size as that of the corresponding hatched zone is displayed. 
       FIG. 22  shows an example of a display area which displays characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). A display area  22 A is a display area before the inter-character space in the width direction and the length direction is enlarged. A display area  22 B is a display area after the inter-character space in the width direction and the length direction is enlarged. It is assumed herein that in each of the hatched zones in the display areas, a character having the same size as that of the corresponding hatched zone is displayed. 
     Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-171457 discloses a method for prohibiting the characters from being displayed and a method for displaying the characters in an enlarged state, both when the characters displayed by the display device are difficult to read as a result of being reduced (see Patent Document 1). 
     Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-265480 discloses a method for modifying the character size in compliance with the size of the display area (see Patent Document 2). 
     Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 4-177295 discloses a method for first enlarging a plurality of characters and then reducing the inter-character space (see Patent Document 3). 
     Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 5-257450 discloses a method for modifying the enlargement ratio of a character and a virtual area (see Patent Document 4). 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-171457 
     Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-265480 
     Patent Document 3: Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 4-177295 
     Patent Document 4: Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 5-257450 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     However, conventional character display apparatuses have the drawback that the positions at which the characters are displayed are changed and so the layout is not maintained. The reason is that when a conventional character display apparatus is used to enlarge the inter-character space, it is necessary to modify the positions at which the characters are displayed. In the case where the layout is not maintained, it is difficult to grasp the positions at which the characters are displayed and to understand the intention of the sender of the message. 
       FIG. 23  shows exemplary display areas which display the characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (1). 
     A display area  23 A and a display area  23 B are display areas before the inter-character space is enlarged. A display area  23 A′ and a display area  23 B′ are display areas after the inter-character space is enlarged. As displayed in the display area  23 A′, the positions of the characters have been changed as a result of the size of the characters in the display area  23 A being enlarged and the inter-character space being enlarged. As displayed in the display area  23 B′, the positions of the characters have been changed as a result of the size of the characters in the display area  23 B being enlarged and the inter-character space being enlarged. 
       FIG. 24  shows exemplary display areas which display the characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). 
     A display area  24 A and a display area  24 B are display areas before the inter-character space is enlarged. A display area  24 A′ and a display area  24 B′ are display areas after the inter-character space is enlarged. As displayed in the display area  24 A′, the positions of the characters have been changed as a result of the inter-character space in the length direction being enlarged. As displayed in the display area  24 B′, the positions of the characters have been changed as a result of the inter-character space in the length direction being enlarged. 
       FIG. 25  shows exemplary display areas which display the characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). 
     A display area  25 A and a display area  25 B are display areas before the inter-character space is enlarged. A display area  25 A′ and a display area  25 B′ are display areas after the inter-character space is enlarged. As displayed in the display area  25 A′, the positions of the characters have been changed as a result of the inter-character space in the width direction being enlarged. As displayed in the display area  25 B′, the positions of the characters have been changed as a result of the inter-character space in the width direction being enlarged. 
       FIG. 26  shows exemplary display areas which display the characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). 
     A display area  26 A and a display area  26 B are display areas before the inter-character space is enlarged. A display area  26 A′ and a display area  26 B′ are display areas after the inter-character space is enlarged. As displayed in the display area  26 A′, the positions of the characters have been changed as a result of the inter-character space in the width direction and the length direction being enlarged. As displayed in the display area  26 B′, the positions of the characters have been changed as a result of the inter-character space in the width direction and the length direction being enlarged. 
     The present invention, made in light of the above-described situation, has an objective of providing a character/graphic display apparatus, a character/graphic display method, a program, and a recording medium for improving the visual recognizability (ease of reading, or ease of recognition through reading) of characters or graphics, without changing the layout of the characters or graphics. 
     Means for Solving the Problems 
     A character/graphic display apparatus according to the present invention includes a display device including a display area for displaying a plurality of characters or graphics; and a control section for controlling the display device. The display area includes a plurality of virtual areas. The control section modifies the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area. The control section controls the display device, such that each of the plurality of characters or graphics having the modified size is displayed in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. The above-described objective can be achieved by this. 
     The size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics may be defined by a length and a width thereof. The control section may modify the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics such that at least one of the length and the width is modified. 
     The control section may modify the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics such that the ratio of the length and the width is maintained. 
     The control section may modify the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics such that the ratio of the length and the width is changed. 
     The display area may include a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels may be divided into a plurality of sub-pixels. The control section may modify the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics sub-pixel by sub-pixel. 
     The character/graphic display apparatus may further include a storage section for storing a character/graphic modification information table. The character/graphic modification information table may include a plurality of pieces of character/graphic modification information. Each of the plurality of pieces of character/graphic modification information may be information for modifying the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics. The control section may select at least one piece of character/graphic modification information from the character/graphic modification information table including the plurality of pieces of character/graphic modification information. The control section may modify the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics in accordance with the selected at least one piece of character/graphic modification information. 
     A character/graphic display method according to the present invention is for displaying a plurality of characters or graphics by a display device including a display area. The display area includes a plurality of virtual areas. The character/graphic display method includes the steps of modifying the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area; and controlling the display device so as to display each of the plurality of characters or graphic shaving the modified size in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. The above-described objective can be achieved by this. 
     A program according to the present invention is for allowing a character/graphic display apparatus, which includes a display device having a display area for displaying a plurality of characters or graphics and also includes a control section for controlling the display device, to execute character/graphic display processing. The display area includes a plurality of virtual areas. The character/graphic display processing includes the steps of modifying the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area; and controlling the display device so as to display each of the plurality of characters or graphics having the modified size in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. The above-described objective can be achieved by this. 
     A recording medium according to the present invention is readable by a character/graphic display apparatus which includes a display device having a display area for displaying a plurality of characters or graphics and also includes a control section for controlling the display device. The display area includes a plurality of virtual areas. The recording medium has a program recorded thereon for allowing the control section to execute processing which includes the steps of modifying the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area; and controlling the display device so as to display each of the plurality of characters or graphics having the modified size in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. The above-described objective can be achieved by this. 
     EFFECT OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, the control section modifies the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area, and displays each of the plurality of characters or graphics having the modified size in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. 
     In this manner, the character/graphic display apparatus according to the present invention modifies the size of each of a plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of a plurality of virtual areas. Thus, the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics is enlarged, or inter-character spaces, spaces between characters and graphics, and inter-graphic spaces are enlarged. As a result, the visual recognizability (ease of reading, or ease of recognition through reading) of characters or graphics is improved. 
     The character/graphic display apparatus according to the present invention maintains the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area. Thus, the position of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area is maintained. Each of the plurality of characters or graphics is displayed in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. Therefore, the position at which each of the plurality of characters or graphics is displayed is kept within the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. Accordingly, the layout of the plurality of characters or graphics is prevented from being changed. 
     As a result, the visual recognizability (ease of readability, or ease of recognition through reading) of characters or graphics can be improved without changing the layout of the characters or graphics. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a display screen  400  of a display device included in a character display apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows the positional relationship between the virtual areas and the character areas. 
         FIG. 3  shows a structure of a character display apparatus  100  according to an example of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a character basic information table  143 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a display screen information table  144 . 
         FIG. 6  shows a character modification information table  145 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a character display program  141 . 
         FIG. 8  shows an exemplary character basic information table before the modification by the CPU  121 , and an exemplary character basic information table after the modification by the CPU  121 . 
         FIG. 9  shows the relationship of the shape of a pixel and the shape of a sub-pixel. 
         FIG. 10  shows exemplary display areas which display characters having a reduced size. 
         FIG. 11  shows the relationship between the sizes of virtual areas A through M and the sizes of characters a through m. 
         FIG. 12  shows exemplary display screens including the virtual areas shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  shows exemplary display screens including the virtual areas shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  shows exemplary display screens including the virtual areas shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  shows an operation procedure to be followed by the user of the character display apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 16  shows a plurality of characters displayed by the display device. 
         FIG. 17  shows a plurality of characters displayed by the display device after the character display program  141  is executed. 
         FIG. 18  shows display screens which display characters. 
         FIG. 19  shows an exemplary display area which displays characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (1). 
         FIG. 20  shows an exemplary display area which displays characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). 
         FIG. 21  shows an exemplary display area which displays characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). 
         FIG. 22  shows an exemplary display area which displays characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). 
         FIG. 23  shows exemplary display areas which display characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (1). 
         FIG. 24  shows exemplary display areas which display characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). 
         FIG. 25  shows exemplary display areas which display characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). 
         FIG. 26  shows exemplary display areas which display characters, the space between which is enlarged by method (2). 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           100  Character display apparatus 
           110  Display device 
           120  Control section 
           121  CPU 
           122  Main memory 
           130  Input device 
           140  Assisting memory device 
           141  Character display program 
           142  Character data 
           143  Character basic information table 
           144  Display screen information table 
           145  Character modification information table 
       
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a display screen  400  of a display device included in a character display apparatus according to the present invention. 
     The display screen  400  includes display areas  410   a ,  410   b  and  410   c . In each of the display areas  410   a ,  410   b  and  410   c , a plurality of characters are to be displayed. The size of each of the display areas  410   a ,  410   b  and  410   c  is defined by the logical product of the length and the width of the respective display area. Characters include, for example, “hiragana” Japanese phonetic letters, “katakana” Japanese phonetic letters, Chinese characters, alphabets, pictographs, and numerals. 
     The display area  410   a  includes character areas  420   a ,  420   b ,  420   c ,  420   d  and  420   e . In each of the character areas  420   a ,  420   b ,  420   c ,  420   d  and  420   e , one character is to be displayed. The display area  410   b  includes character areas  421   a  and  421   b . In each of the character areas  421   a  and  421   b , one character is to be displayed. 
     The size of each of the character areas  420   a ,  420   b ,  420   c ,  420   d  and  420   e  is defined by the logical product of the length and the width of the respective character area. 
     In this specification, the expression “the size of a character” means the size of a character area in which the character is displayed. For example, where a character area in which one character is displayed has a length x and a width y, the size of the character is xy. According to this definition, a space representing a blank space and having a prescribed size, hiragana “ ” and hiragana “ ” (contracted sound) have the same size as long as they are displayed in character areas of an identical size. 
     The display areas  410   a ,  410   b  and  410   c  each include a plurality of character areas arranged in a width direction. However, the plurality of character areas are not limited to be arranged in the width direction. The display areas  410   a ,  410   b  and  410   c  may include a plurality of character areas arranged in a length direction. 
     The display area  410   a  includes virtual areas  430   a ,  430   b ,  430   c ,  430   d  and  430   e . The virtual areas  430   a ,  430   b ,  430   c ,  430   d  and  430   e  are spread in the display area  410   a  without overlapping each other. Each virtual area includes a character area. The character are as  420   a ,  420   b ,  420   c ,  420   d  and  420   e  are included in, and correspond to, the virtual areas  430   a ,  430   b ,  430   c ,  430   d  and  430   e , respectively. 
     The display area  410   b  includes virtual areas  431   a  and  431   b . The character areas  421   a  and  421   b  are included in, and correspond to, the virtual areas  431   a  and  431   b , respectively. 
     The size of each of the virtual areas  430   a ,  430   b ,  430   c ,  430   d  and  430   e  is defined by the logical product of the length and the width of the respective virtual area. 
       FIG. 2  shows the positional relationship between a virtual area and a character area. 
     The character area  420   a  and the character area  420   b  are adjacent to each other and arranged in the width direction. The character area  421   a  and the character area  420   a  are adjacent to each other and arranged in the length direction. 
     In this specification, the distance between two adjacent character areas is referred to as a “inter-character space”. In the case where two adjacent character areas are arranged in the length direction, the inter-character space of those character areas will be specifically referred to as an “inter-row space”. In the case where two adjacent character areas are arranged in the width direction, the inter-character space of those character areas will be specifically referred to as an “inter-column space”. 
     The character areas  420   a ,  420   b  and  421   a  each have a width of x and a length of y. The distance between the character areas  420   a  and  420   b  is an inter-column space (a+b). The distance between the character areas  420   a  and  421   a  is an inter-row space (c+d). The virtual areas  430   a ,  430   b  and  431   a  each have a width X and a length Y. In this case, the virtual areas  430   a ,  430   b  and  431   a  are each surrounded by a frame having the width X (X=x+a+b) and the length Y (Y=y+c+d). In this case, each of frames having the width x and the length y matches an outer perimeter of each of the character areas  420   a ,  420   b  and  421   a . Accordingly, when the inter-row space and the inter-column space are both 0, the virtual area  430   a  and the character area  420   a  are the same area, the virtual area  430   b  and the character area  420   b  are the same area, and the virtual area  431   a  and the character area  421   a  are the same area. 
     The size of the character (width: x′; length: y′) displayed in the character area  421   b  is smaller than the size of the character (width: x; length: y) displayed in the character area  421   a . This means that there is the relationship x′·y′&lt;x·y. For example, any of the following relationships is applicable: x′&lt;x and y′&lt;y; x′&lt;x and y′=y; and x′=x and y′&lt;y. 
       FIG. 3  shows a structure of a character display apparatus  100  in one example according to the present invention. 
     The character display apparatus  100  may be, for example, a personal computer. As the personal computer, any type of computer such as, for example, a desk-top type or lap-top type computer is usable. Alternatively, the character display apparatus  100  may be a wordprocessor. 
     The character display apparatus  100  may be any information display apparatus such as, for example, an electronic device or an information device including a display device. For example, the character display apparatus  100  may be an electronic device, a mobile information terminal used as a mobile information tool, a cellular phone or a PHS terminal, a communication device such as a general telephone/facsimile machine, a game machine, a TV, a PDA or the like, which includes a liquid display device. 
     The character display apparatus  100  includes a display device  110  for displaying a plurality of characters, a control section  120  for controlling the display device  110 , an input device  130 , and an assisting memory device  140 . The control section  120  is connected with the display device  110 , the input device  130  and the assisting memory device  140 . 
     The display device  110  includes a display area having a plurality of pixels. The display device  110  also includes a display screen  400  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ; see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). As the display device  110 , any display device having a function of displaying characters is usable. The display device  110  is, for example, a liquid crystal display device. 
     The input device  130  is used for supplying the control section  120  with character information representing a character to be displayed by the display device  110  and an instruction to the display device  110 . The character information includes, for example, a character code for identifying a character. As the input device  130 , any type of input device capable of inputting character information is usable. For example, a keyboard including cursor keys, ten keys and function keys is preferably usable as the input device  130 . 
     The assisting memory device  140  stores a character display program  141 , character data  142 , a character basic information table  143 , a display screen information table  144 , and a character modification information table  145 . As the assisting memory device  140 , any type of memory device capable of storing the character display program  141 , the character data  142 , the character basic information table  143 , the display screen information table  144 , and the character modification information table  145  is usable. In the assisting memory device  140 , any recording medium is usable as a recording medium for storing the character display program  141 , the character data  142 , the character basic information table  143 , the display screen information table  144 , and the character modification information table  145 . Recording mediums such as, for example, hard discs, CD-ROMs, MOs, MDs, DVDs, IC cards, and optical cards are preferably usable. 
     The character display program  141 , the character data  142 , the character basic information table  143 , the display screen information table  144 , and the character modification information table  145  are not limited to being stored on a recording medium in the assisting memory device  140 . For example, the character display program  141 , the character data  142 , the character basic information table  143 , the display screen information table  144 , and the character modification information table  145  may be stored in a main memory  122  or a ROM (not shown). The ROM may be, for example, a mask ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or a flash ROM. In the case of a ROM system of storing information in a ROM, various types of processing can be realized simply by exchanging ROMs. The ROM system is preferably applicable when, for example, the character display apparatus  100  is a mobile terminal or a cellular phone. 
     The recording medium for storing the character display program  141 , the character data  142 , the character basic information table  143 , the display screen information table  144 , and the character modification information table  145  may be a medium such as a disc, card, other memory devices or a semiconductor memory, for fixedly carrying a program or data. Alternatively, the recording medium may be a medium for fluidly carrying a program or data, for example, a communication medium used for carrying a program or data in a communication network. In the case where the character display apparatus  100  includes means for connection with a communication line including the Internet, the character display program  141 , the character data  142 , the character basic information table  143 , the display screen information table  144 , and the character modification information table  145  can be downloaded from the communication line. In this case, a loader program necessary for downloading may be pre-stored in the ROM (not shown) or installed into the control section  120  from the assisting memory device  140 . 
     The control section  120  includes a CPU  121  and a main memory  122 . 
     The CPU  121  controls and monitors the entirety of the character display apparatus  100  and also executes the character display program  141  stored in the assisting memory device  140 . 
     The main memory  122  temporarily stores data input from the input device  130 , data to be displayed by the display device  110 , and data necessary for executing the character display program  141 . The main memory  122  is accessed by the CPU  121 . 
     The CPU  121  executes the character display program  141  based on various types of data stored in the main memory  122 , so as to modify the size of each of the plurality of characters while maintaining the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area. Each of the plurality of modified characters is once stored in the main memory  122  and then output to the display device  110 . Each of the plurality of characters modified to correspond to the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas is displayed in the respective virtual area. 
     The function of the character display program  141  will be described later in detail. 
     The character data  142  defines the shape of a character. The character data  142  is, for example, vector data defining the shape of a vector font. The character data  142  may be outline data defining the shape of an outline font. 
       FIG. 4  shows the character basic information table  143 . 
     The character basic information table  143  includes data indicating lengths of the virtual areas (KBT), data indicating widths of the virtual areas (KBY), data indicating lengths of the characters (KLT), and data indicating widths of the characters (KLY). However, data included in the character basic information table  143  is not limited to such data. The character basic information table  143  may include data indicating the number of characters which can be displayed on the display screen  400  in the length direction (KMT) and data indicating the number of characters which can be displayed on the display screen  400  in the width direction (KMY). 
       FIG. 5  shows a display screen information table  144 . 
     The display screen information table  144  includes data indicating the lengths of a plurality of types of display screens, and data indicating the widths of the plurality of types of display screens. 
       FIG. 6  shows a character modification information table  145 . The character modification information table  145  includes a plurality of pieces of character modification information. The character modification information is information for modifying the size of characters. 
     For example, the character modification information indicates how much the size of a character is to be modified. The character modification information labeled “larger” indicates that the length of the character is to be extended by 2 and the width of the character is to be extended by 3. The character modification information labeled “smaller” indicates that the length of the character is to be shortened by 1 and the width of the character is to be shortened by 2. The character modification information labeled “wider” indicates that the length of the character is not to be modified and the width of the character is to be extended by 1. The character modification information labeled “narrower” indicates that the length of the character is not to be modified and the width of the character is to be shortened by 4. The character modification information labeled “higher” indicates that the length of the character is to be extended by 4 and the width of the character is not to be modified. The character modification information labeled “lower” indicates that the length of the character is to be shortened by 3 and the width of the character is not to be modified. 
     The character modification information is not limited to indicating how much the size of a character is to be modified. The character modification information may indicate post-modification length and width of the character. The character modification information may indicate that at least one of the length and width of the character is to be modified. The character modification information may indicate that the size of the character is to be modified such that the ratio of the length and the width of the character is maintained even after the modification. The character modification information may indicate that the size of the character is to be modified such that the ratio of the length and the width of the character is changed after the modification. 
     The CPU  121  uses the character data  142 , the data included in the character basic information table  143 , the data included in the display screen information table  144 , and the data included in the character modification information table  145 , to execute the character display program  141 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the character display program  141 . The character display program  141  is executed by the CPU  121 . 
     Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the character display program  141  will be described step by step with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     Step S 101 : Character information indicating a character to be displayed by the display device  130  is input to the main memory  122  via the input device  130 . Based on the input character information, the CPU  121  reads the character data  142  stored in the assisting memory device  140  from the assisting memory device  140  and inputs the character data  142  to the main memory  122 . The CPU  121  reads the data included in the character basic information table  143  and the data included in the display screen information table  144  from the assisting memory device  140 , and inputs the read data to the main memory  122 . The CPU  121  selects at least one piece of character modification information from the plurality of pieces of character modification information included in the character modification information table  145 , and inputs the selected at least one piece of character modification information to the main memory  122 . The character modification information is not limited to being pre-stored in the character modification information table  145 . The user may input desired character modification information to the main memory  122  via the input device  130 . 
     After the CPU  121  inputs the data included in the character basic information table  143 , the data included in the display screen information table  144 , and the character modification information selected by the CPU  121 , to the main memory  122 , the CPU  121  proceeds with the processing step S 102 . 
     Step S 102 : The CPU  121  determines the size of the display screen based on the data included in the display screen information table  144 . Based on the selected character modification information, the CPU  121  modifies the data indicating the length of the character area and the data indicating the width of the character area which are included in the character basic information table  143 . The modification of such data is executed by the CPU  121  while the size of the virtual area is maintained. 
       FIG. 8  shows an example of the character basic information table before the modification by the CPU  121  and an example of the character basic information table after the modification by the CPU  121 . 
     In the case where the character modification information selected by the CPU  121  is, for example, “narrower” the character basic information table is modified such that the width of the character is shortened by 4 without the length of the character being modified. Among the data included in the character basic information table, the data indicating the length of the character remains 19 whereas the data indicating the width of the character is modified from 19 to 15. 
     Among the data included in the character basic information table, the data indicating the length of the virtual area before the character size is modified is 20, and the data indicating the width of the virtual area before the character size is modified is 20. The data indicating the length of the virtual area after the character size is modified is 20, and the data indicating the width of the virtual area after the character size is modified is 20. The CPU  121  maintains the data indicating the length of the virtual area even after the modification of the character size. The CPU  121  maintains the data indicating the width of the virtual area even after the modification of the character size. 
     Among the data included in the character basic information table, the data indicating the number of characters which can be displayed on the display screen  400  in the length direction before the modification of the character size is 15, and the data indicating the number of characters which can be displayed on the display screen  400  in the width direction before the modification of the character size is 10. The data indicating the number of characters which can be displayed on the display screen  400  in the length direction after the modification of the character size is 15, and the data indicating the number of characters which can be displayed on the display screen  400  in the width direction after the modification of the character size is 10. 
     The CPU  121  does not necessarily modify both of the data indicating the length of the character area and the data indicating the width of the character area. The CPU  121  may modify either the data indicating the length of the character area or the data indicating the width of the character area. In this case, the CPU  121  generates data having a character having the modified size based on the modified data and non-modified data. 
     After modifying the character basic information table, the CPU  121  proceeds with the processing to step S 103 . 
     Step S 103 : The CPU  121  generates drawing data from the data indicating the character having the modified size, such that the data indicating the character having the modified size can be displayed by the display device. For example, the CPU  121  generates drawing data from the data indicating the character having the modified size using a straight line drawing program or a curve drawing program such as a spline or the like. The generated drawing data is stored in the main memory  122 . 
     For example, the CPU  121  generates drawing data based on the post-modification character basic information table shown in  FIG. 8 . The drawing data is generated from the data indicating the character having the modified size (the data indicating the length of the character is 19 and the data indicating the width of the character is 15). 
     After storing the generated drawing data in the main memory  122 , the CPU  121  proceeds with the processing to step S 104 . 
     Step S 104 : Based on the drawing data generated in step S 103 , the CPU  121  controls the display device  110  such that the character having the modified size is displayed in the virtual area included in the display screen  400  of the display device  110 . 
     For example, the CPU  121  modifies the data included in the character basic information table shown in  FIG. 8  before the characters are displayed. In accordance with the modified data, the CPU  121  determines the size of the characters, the size of the virtual areas, and the number of characters. For example, in the case where the width of the characters is to be narrowed while the size of the virtual areas is maintained, the data included in the character basic information table shown in  FIG. 8  is modified such that the width of the characters is shortened, without modifying the data indicating the size of the virtual areas. In the example shown in  FIG. 8 , the data indicating the width of the characters is modified from 19 to 15. 
     In the case where the display device is a liquid crystal display device, a plurality of pixels are provided in the display screen of the display device. Each of the plurality of pixels is divided into a plurality of sub-pixels. To each of the plurality of sub-pixels, a respective color element is assigned among a plurality of color elements (for example, R(red), G (green) and B (blue)). The CPU  121  can control the character size pixel by pixel, but is not limited to this. In the case where the display device is a liquid crystal display device, the CPU  121  may control the character size sub-pixel by sub-pixel. The CPU  121  can control the display device so as to modify the character size sub-pixel by sub-pixel. In this case, the character size can be controlled more precisely than the case where the CPU  121  modifies the character size pixel by pixel. 
       FIG. 9  shows the relationship between the shape of a pixel and the shape of a sub-pixel. 
     The sub-pixel is made by dividing the pixel into three and has a shape of a strip longer in the length direction. However, the sub-pixel is not limited to being strip-shaped longer in the length direction. The sub-pixel may have a shape of a strip longer in the width direction. The sub-pixel may have any shape which can be made by dividing the pixel. 
       FIG. 10  shows exemplary display areas which displays characters having a reduced size. 
     A display area  10 A and a display area  10 B are display areas before the character size is reduced. A display area  10 A′ and a display area  10 B′ are display areas after the character size is reduced. As displayed in the display area  10 A′, the positions of the characters are kept within the virtual areas since the width of the characters is reduced while the size of the virtual areas is maintained. As displayed in the display area  10 B′, the positions of the characters are kept within the virtual areas since the width of the characters is reduced while the size of the virtual areas is maintained. 
       FIG. 11  shows the relationship between the size of virtual areas A through M and the size of characters a through m displayed in the virtual areas A through M. For example, each of the virtual areas A through M are any one of the virtual areas  430   a  through  430   e  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     It is assumed herein that in the hatched zones in the virtual areas A through M, the characters a through m having the same size as that of the corresponding hatched zone are displayed, respectively. 
     The virtual areas A through M have all the same size. 
     In the virtual area A, the character a is displayed. The size of the character a is the same as that of the virtual area A. 
     In the virtual area B, the character b is displayed. The length of the character b is shorter than the length of the character a. The width of the character b is equal to the width of the character a. 
     In the virtual area C, the character c is displayed. The length of the character c is shorter than the length of the character b. The width of the character c is equal to the width of the character a. 
     In the virtual area D, the character d is displayed. The length of the character d is shorter than the length of the character c. The width of the character d is equal to the width of the character a. 
     In the virtual area E, the character e is displayed. The length of the character e is shorter than the length of the character d. The width of the character e is equal to the width of the character a. 
     In the virtual area F, the character f is displayed. The length of the character f is equal to the length of the character a. The width of the character f is shorter than the width of the character a. 
     In the virtual area G, the character g is displayed. The length of the character g is equal to the length of the character a. The width of the character g is shorter than the width of the character f. 
     In the virtual area H, the character his displayed. The length of the character h is equal to the length of the character a. The width of the character h is shorter than the width of the character g. 
     In the virtual area I, the character i is displayed. The length of the character i is equal to the length of the character a. The width of the character i is shorter than the width of the character h. 
     In the virtual area J, the character j is displayed. The length of the character j is equal to the length of the character b. The width of the character j is equal to the width of the character f. 
     In the virtual area K, the character k is displayed. The length of the character k is equal to the length of the character c. The width of the character k is equal to the width of the character g. 
     In the virtual area, the character l is displayed. The length of the character l is equal to the length of the character d. The width of the character l is equal to the width of the character h. 
     In the virtual area M, the character m is displayed. The length of the character m is equal to the length of the character e. The width of the character m is equal to the width of the character l. 
       FIG. 12  shows exemplary display screens including the virtual areas shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     A display screen AA includes the virtual areas A shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen FF includes the virtual areas F shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen GG includes the virtual areas G shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen HH includes the virtual areas H shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen II includes the virtual areas I shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  shows exemplary display screens including the virtual areas shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     A display screen AA includes the virtual areas A shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen BB includes the virtual areas B shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen CC includes the virtual areas C shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen DD includes the virtual areas D shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen EE includes the virtual areas E shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 14  shows exemplary display screens including the virtual areas shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     A display screen AA includes the virtual areas A shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen JJ includes the virtual areas J shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen KK includes the virtual areas K shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen LL includes the virtual areas L shown in  FIG. 11 . A display screen MM includes the virtual areas M shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     For example, in the example shown in  FIG. 7 , step S 102  corresponds to “the step of modifying the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area”, and step S 104  corresponds to “the step of controlling the display device so as to display each of the plurality of characters or graphics having the modified size in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas”. However, the processing procedure of the character display program  141  is not limited to the one shown in  FIG. 7 . The character display program  141  may have any processing procedure which has the functions of “the step of modifying the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area” and “the step of controlling the display device so as to display each of the plurality of characters or graphics having the modified size in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas”. 
     In the above example, the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics is modified while the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area is maintained, and each of the plurality of characters or graphics having the modified size is displayed in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to the case where the size of each of a plurality of graphics, instead of, or in addition to, characters while the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area is maintained, and then each of the plurality of graphics having the modified size is displayed in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. In this case, a graphic display program is usable instead of, or in addition to, the character display program  141 . Graphic data is usable instead of, or in addition to, the character data  142 . A graphic basic information table is usable instead of, or in addition to, the character basic information table  143 . A graphic modification information table is usable instead of, or in addition to, the character modification information table  145 . The graphic display program may also include substantially the same steps as those of the character display program  141 . A graphic modification program may also include substantially the same steps as those of a character modification program. The graphics may include, for example, part of characters, patterns, and symbols. 
     According to the present invention, the control section modifies the size of each of a plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of a plurality of virtual areas included in a display area, and displays each of the plurality of characters or graphics having the modified size in the respective virtual area. 
     In this manner, the character/graphic display apparatus according to the present invention modifies the size of each of a plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of a plurality of virtual areas. Thus, the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics is enlarged, or inter-character spaces, spaces between characters and graphics, and inter-graphic spaces are enlarged. As a result, the visual recognizability (ease of reading, or ease of recognition through reading) of characters or graphics is improved. 
     The character/graphic display apparatus according to the present invention maintains the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in a display area. Thus, the position of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area is maintained. Each of the plurality of characters or graphics is displayed in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. Therefore, the position at which each of the plurality of characters or graphics is displayed is kept within the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. Accordingly, the layout of the plurality of characters or graphics is prevented from being changed. 
     As a result, the visual recognizability (ease of readability, or ease of recognition through reading) of characters or graphics can be improved without changing the layout of the characters or graphics. 
       FIG. 15  shows an operation procedure to be followed by the user of the character display apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Step S 201 : The user uses the input device  130  to send a signal for modifying the inter-character space to the character display apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a plurality of characters displayed by the display device. 
     At this point, the plurality of characters displayed by the display device may be a plurality of characters which has been stored in the assisting memory device  140 , or a plurality of characters which has been input to the character display apparatus  100  via the input device  130 . The plurality of characters stored in the assisting memory device  140  may be, for example, an electronic mail message received by the character display apparatus  100  via a communication line (not shown). 
     Step S 202 : The user checks the display screen on which the inter-character space has been modified. 
     Step S 203 : The user determines whether or not the layout is maintained. 
     In step S 203 , the user may have the CPU  121  determine whether or not the layout is maintained based on the character basic information table  143  and the display screen information table  144 . 
     When “Yes” in step S 203 , the processing is terminated. 
     When “No” in step S 203 , the processing proceeds to step S 204 . 
     Step S 204 : The user determines whether or not the layout is to be maintained. 
     When “Yes” in step S 204 , the processing proceeds to step S 205 . 
     When “No” in step S 204 , the processing is terminated. 
     Step S 205 : The user uses the input device  130  to send a signal to the character display apparatus  100 , the signal being for allowing the control section  120  included in the character display apparatus  100  to execute the character display program  141 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a plurality of characters displayed by the display device after the character display program  141  is executed. 
     Each of the plurality of characters is displayed on the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. Therefore, the position at which each of the plurality of characters is displayed is kept within the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. As a result, the visual recognizability (ease of reading, or ease of recognition through reading) of characters is improved without changing the layout of the characters or graphics. 
     The present invention has been described by way of preferable examples thereof. It is not intended that the present invention is limited to these examples. It is understood that the scope of the present invention is construed as being only limited by the claims. It is understood that those skilled in the art can work the equivalents of the present invention based on the description of the present invention and the technological common knowledge. The patents, patent applications and documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference and construed as being specifically described in this specification. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     According to the present invention, the control section modifies the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area, and displays each of the plurality of characters or graphics having the modified size in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. 
     In this manner, the character/graphic display apparatus according to the present invention modifies the size of each of a plurality of characters or graphics while maintaining the size of each of a plurality of virtual areas. Thus, the size of each of the plurality of characters or graphics is enlarged, or inter-character spaces, spaces between characters and graphics, and inter-graphic spaces are enlarged. As a result, the visual recognizability (ease of reading, or ease of recognition through reading) of characters or graphics is improved. 
     The character/graphic display apparatus according to the present invention maintains the size of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area. Thus, the position of each of the plurality of virtual areas included in the display area is maintained. Each of the plurality of characters or graphics is displayed in the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. Therefore, the position at which each of the plurality of characters or graphics is displayed is kept within the respective virtual area among the plurality of virtual areas. Accordingly, the layout of the plurality of characters or graphics is prevented from being changed. 
     As a result, the visual recognizability (ease of readability, or ease of recognition through reading) of characters or graphics can be improved without changing the layout of the characters or graphics.