Variable size character generation using neighborhood-derived shapes
AssigneeDennison Manufacturing Company
InventorDaniel W. Somerville
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for expanding point matrix characters. For each member of a character set there is stored a basic character matrix defining the character in its lowest magnification. A shape code is assigned to each point of the basic character matrix based upon the configuration of blacks and whites in a neighborhood centering on the point. Quantized versions of the shape codes are used as templates for assigning expanded point arrays to each point in the basic matrix. The method is advantageously implemented by logic circuitry for a matrix printer or the like. The user may vary the aspect ratio of the expanded characters, and may design the shape codes to produce a pleasing character appearance.
Claims20
A method for producing expanded versions of matrix defined characters of constant point density comprising the steps of:
- a. defining each character through a basic character matrix wherein each element consists of either "black" or "white";
- b. assigning a shape and corresponding code to each element of the basic character matrix on the basis of a predetermined identification of said shape with the pattern of blacks and whites in a neighborhood of the basic character matrix centering on said element;
- c. producing a quantized representation of said shape in response to said code, having a matrix pattern of black and white elements;
- d. coordinating said quantized representation with an expansion matrix subdivided in accordance with desired horizontal and vertical expansion factors;
- e. forming an expanded point array with elements matching the subdivisions of said expansion matrix such that each element of the expanded point array is assigned a black if and only if the center of the corresponding expansion matrix subdivision coincides with a black element of said quantized representation;
- and
- f. combining the expanded point arrays in a matrix defined by the ordering of elements of said basic character matrix.
Apparatus for expanding matrix characters of constant point density comprising
- a. means for generating a binary shape code for each element of a basic character matrix comprising
- (1) basic character matrix storage means for representing matrix characters, wherein binary "1" represents a black element and binary "0" represents a white element;
- (2) neighborhood-shape code storage means, for assigning binary shape codes to basic character elements at the center of a set of matrix character neighborhoods;
- (3) means responsive to a character identification signal to produce a binary shape code signal for each element of the basic character matrix indexed to said character identification signal, by reference to said neighborhood-shape code storage means;
- b. means for generating an expanded point array for each element of said basic character matrix comprising
- (1) quantized shape storage means, for assigning to said binary shape code a two-dimensional binary array representing the contour of a desired shape;
- (2) means responsive to signals indicative of horizontal and vertical expansion factors for assigning to each point within said expanded point array a quantized shape location index corresponding to the center of an expansion matrix subdivision, wherein said expansion matrix is subdivided in accordance with said horizontal and vertical expansion factors,
- (3) means responsive to said quantized shape location index to produce by reference to said two-dimensional binary array a "1" for a given element of said expanded point array if and only if a "1" is contained in the two-dimensional binary array at the appropriate quantized shape location;
- and
- c. expanded character storage means for combining the expanded point arrays in accordance with the ordering of elements of said basic character matrix to create an array of binary signals representative of the expanded character.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.