Apparatus for converting image outline data into dot data representative of dots to be formed
First Claim
1. A data converting apparatus for converting a batch of outline data representative of an outline of an image such as a letter, a symbol and a graphical representation, into a batch of dot data which is indicative of whether a dot is to be formed in each of picture elements positioned in a coordinate system in which the outline data is defined, said apparatus comprising:
- coordinate calculating means for calculating coordinate values of intersections between outlines of an image in the coordinate system and a plurality of parallel pixel lines superimposed on the outlines in the coordinate system;
coordinate storing means for storing the coordinate values calculated by the coordinate calculating means such that the coordinate values for each of the pixel lines are arranged in order of the magnitude of the values;
picture element judging means for retrieving, from the coordinate storing means, a pair of coordinate values constructed from adjacent two values of the ordered values and for judging whether at least one picture element is located between the pair of coordinate values;
dot data preparing means for, when at least one picture element is located between the pair of coordinate values, preparing a batch of dot data such that successive bits of the dot data corresponding to all of the at least one successive picture elements positioned between the pair of coordinate values are set at one time such that each of the successive bits indicates a dot to be formed in the corresponding picture element; and
dot data correction means for, when no picture element is located between the pair of coordinate values, searching status of dot data on at least one picture element located at a portion close to the pair of coordinate values and for preparing dot data for the pair of coordinate values based on the searched status.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An outline font data is converted into dot data, based on which a dot image is printed. When an image represented by the outline font data has a very narrow portion or very steep end portion, whether or not dots have been prepared at picture elements surrounding that portion is examined. Then, a dot is prepared at a position that can smoothly connect those dots. Even at this narrow portion, no dots will strangely protrude from the entire shape of the produced dot image.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A data converting apparatus for converting a batch of outline data representative of an outline of an image such as a letter, a symbol and a graphical representation, into a batch of dot data which is indicative of whether a dot is to be formed in each of picture elements positioned in a coordinate system in which the outline data is defined, said apparatus comprising:
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coordinate calculating means for calculating coordinate values of intersections between outlines of an image in the coordinate system and a plurality of parallel pixel lines superimposed on the outlines in the coordinate system; coordinate storing means for storing the coordinate values calculated by the coordinate calculating means such that the coordinate values for each of the pixel lines are arranged in order of the magnitude of the values; picture element judging means for retrieving, from the coordinate storing means, a pair of coordinate values constructed from adjacent two values of the ordered values and for judging whether at least one picture element is located between the pair of coordinate values; dot data preparing means for, when at least one picture element is located between the pair of coordinate values, preparing a batch of dot data such that successive bits of the dot data corresponding to all of the at least one successive picture elements positioned between the pair of coordinate values are set at one time such that each of the successive bits indicates a dot to be formed in the corresponding picture element; and dot data correction means for, when no picture element is located between the pair of coordinate values, searching status of dot data on at least one picture element located at a portion close to the pair of coordinate values and for preparing dot data for the pair of coordinate values based on the searched status. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification