Method and apparatus for generating and producing two-dimensional graphic object by polynominal parametric curves
First Claim
1. A method for generating two-dimensional graphic objects for electronic or electromechanical reproduction by the use of polynomials, where the graphic objects are provided as reference contours in contour coordinates, and where the number of contours per object and the number of contour segments per contour is predetermined, and where the starting point and the end point of the contour segments are established, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) subdividing the length of any given contour segment into a plurality of curve segments;
(b) defining the starting point and the end point of the given contour segment;
(c) connecting the starting point and the end point of the given contour segment by a defined curve section, the length of which is subdivided into the same number of curve segments as the given contour segment;
(d) comparing the coordinate points of the respective curve segment of the defined curve section and the contour segment with each other;
(e) determining the distance between the coordinate points of the defined curve segment and the contour segment;
(f) choosing a base coordinate point, when the distance between the coordinate points of the defined curve segment and the contour segment exceeds a predetermined amount, which is at the greatest distance from the defined curve segment;
(g) laying a resulting curve through the starting point and the end point and the base point with the use of parametric spline functions;
(h) again subdividing the resulting curve segment into the same number of curve segments as the given contour segment;
(i) comparing the coordinate points of the resulting curve with the coordinate points of the given contour segment;
(j) determining the distance between the coordinate points of the resulting curve and the contour segment;
(k) choosing a further base point, when the distance between the coordinate points of the resulting curve and the contour segment exceeds a determined amount, which is the greatest distance from the the given contour segment; and
(1) repeating steps g through k until the predetermined distance amount is no longer exceeded.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention utilizes polynomials, where the graphic objects are predetermined in the form of reference contours in contour coordinates. The generation process involves subdividing the length of each contour segment into a multiple of curve segments each, preferably a straight line. The coordinate points associated with the respective curve segments are compared with those of the given contour segment and the distance between them is determined. If a predetermined distance between them is exceeded, the coordinate location on the contour segment which is at the greatest distance from the straight line is chosen. A curve defined by the use of parametric spline functions is then laid between the starting and end point and incorporating the chosen base point. At a time when the predetermined distance no longer is exceeded, the base points assigned are stored in a memory. The apparatus contains a central processing unit, a register for storage of the scanned pixel matrix and the outside contours, and a register for storage of the reference contours and the spline data. Corner recognition and filtering circuitry provides the recognition of corners and filtering where the scanned contour is smoothed for determining the reference contour. A step counter and a step register are provided for coordination between the deviation stored in a register and the respective coordinates.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for generating two-dimensional graphic objects for electronic or electromechanical reproduction by the use of polynomials, where the graphic objects are provided as reference contours in contour coordinates, and where the number of contours per object and the number of contour segments per contour is predetermined, and where the starting point and the end point of the contour segments are established, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) subdividing the length of any given contour segment into a plurality of curve segments; (b) defining the starting point and the end point of the given contour segment; (c) connecting the starting point and the end point of the given contour segment by a defined curve section, the length of which is subdivided into the same number of curve segments as the given contour segment; (d) comparing the coordinate points of the respective curve segment of the defined curve section and the contour segment with each other; (e) determining the distance between the coordinate points of the defined curve segment and the contour segment; (f) choosing a base coordinate point, when the distance between the coordinate points of the defined curve segment and the contour segment exceeds a predetermined amount, which is at the greatest distance from the defined curve segment; (g) laying a resulting curve through the starting point and the end point and the base point with the use of parametric spline functions; (h) again subdividing the resulting curve segment into the same number of curve segments as the given contour segment; (i) comparing the coordinate points of the resulting curve with the coordinate points of the given contour segment; (j) determining the distance between the coordinate points of the resulting curve and the contour segment; (k) choosing a further base point, when the distance between the coordinate points of the resulting curve and the contour segment exceeds a determined amount, which is the greatest distance from the the given contour segment; and
(1) repeating steps g through k until the predetermined distance amount is no longer exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for generating two-dimensional graphic objects for electronic or electromechanical reproduction by the use of polynominals where the graphic objects are provided as reference contours in contour coordinates, and where the number of contours per object and the number of contour segments per contour is predetermined, and where the starting point and the end point of the contour segments are established, the apparatus comprising:
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central processing means; means, responsive to the central processing means, for scanning an original character; first storage means, responsive to the output of the scanning means, for storing the scanned pixel matrix and the outside contours of the original character; second storage means, response to the output of the scanning means, for storing reference contours and spline function data; means for recognizing the corners of each character and for filtration of outside contour points of the character to smooth out the scanned contour for determining the reference contour; and approximation means for approximating the reference contour segment. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for generating two-dimensional graphic objects for electronic or electromechanical reproduction by the use of polynomials where the graphic objects are provided as reference contours in contour coordinates, and where the number of contours per object and the number of contour segments per contour is predetermined, and where the starting point and the end point of the contour segments are established, the apparatus comprising:
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central processing means; means, responsive to the central processing means, for scanning an original character; first storage means, responsive to the output of the scanning means, for storing the scanned pixel matrix and the outside contours of the original character; second storage means, responsive to the output of the scanning means, for storing reference contours and spline function data; means for recognizing the corners of each character and for filtration of outside contour points of the character to smooth out the scanned contour for determining the reference contour; and approximation means for approximating the reference contour segment, the approximation means including logic means, responsive to the central processing means, for generating the starting values of the coordinates of each contour point, the logic means comprising; reference contour storage register means for storing the coordinates of the reference contour; comparison means for comparing the coordinates of the approximating contour with the coordinates of the reference contour; and deviation storage register means for storing the deviation between the coordinates of the approximating contour and the coordinates of the reference contour; the comparison means comparing the deviations of the two successive coordinates and storing the largest deviation in the deviation storage register means. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification