Apparatus for forming a character by a matrix pattern of picture elements

An apparatus for expanding an original character formed by a matrix of display components and non-display components comprising:

• first means for storing a bit pattern in which the display components and the non-display components forming an original character are converted into bits of the first logical value and bits of the second logical value respectively;
• second means for selecting the respective bits which constitute the aforementioned bit pattern in accordance with a predetermined order;
• first storage means for storing the number of row magnification of the original character;
• second storage means for storing the number of column magnification of the original character independently of said first storage means whereby said number of column magnification may be arbitrarily different from said number of row magnification;
• third means for detecting whether or not the array of both a bit of the second logical value selected from the aforementioned bit pattern and the surrounding bits thereof coincides with a predetermined rule and, if it coincides, converting the bit into a bit of the first logical value;
• fourth means for converting each bit which has made the respective bits selected by the second means pass through the third means into a bit matrix in which the number of bits arranged in the respective rows coincides with said number of row magnification stored in said first storage means and the number of bits arranged in the respective columns coincides with said number of column magnification independently stored in said second storage means;
• and
• fifth means for forming dots in accordance with the output of said fourth means and thereby forming a magnified character.

An apparatus for expanding a character formed by a matrix of display components and non-display components comprising:

• first shift register means for storing a bit pattern in which the display components and the non-display components forming an original character are converted into bits of the first logical value and bits of the second logical value respectively and in which the respective stored bits are shifted longitudinally and transversely;
• first means for selecting the respective bits which constitute the bit pattern in accordance with a predetermined order from a fixed storage position of said shift register means;
• second means for detecting whether or not an array formed by both of a bit of the second logical value selected by the first means and the surrounding bits thereof in the bit pattern coincides with predetermined rules and, if it coincides, for converting the logical value of the bit into the first logical value;
• third means for storing the number of row magnification of the original character;
• fourth means for storing the number of column magnification of the original character independently of said fourth means whereby said number of columns magnification may be arbitrarily different from said number of row magnification;
• fifth means for converting each bit which has made the respective bits selected by the first means pass through the second means into bits of the same number as that of the column magnification stored in said fourth means;
• second shift register means for storing bits of a predetermined number from among bits to be converted by said fifth means;
• dot forming means for forming dots in order every column in accordance with the output of said second shift register;
• first counter means for advancing a count every time a bit is stored in said second shaft register;
• second counter means for counting the number of columns of dots formed by said dot forming means;
• sixth means for resetting said first counter when a counting value of said first counter has coincided with the number stored in said fourth means;
• and
• seventh means for resetting the second counter when a counting value of the second counter has coincided with the number stored in said third means.