Apparatus for converting character outline data into dot data, having means for moving outline segments

A data converting apparatus for converting original data representing a character outline into dot data representing image dots having centers formed at pixel positions within the character outline, the pixel positions being defined on a pixel grid having X-axis pixel lines and Y-axis pixel lines, the X-axis pixel lines and Y-axis pixel lines being spaced apart by the width of a pixel and defining integer X and Y coordinate values on the pixel grid, the character outline comprising a plurality of segments including curved segments, the apparatus comprising:

• a segment identifier that identifies at least one of said curved segments;
• a calculator, responsive to the segment identifier, that calculates an original coordinate value of a maximal or minimal point of the curved segment;
• and
• an outline mover, responsive to the segment identifier, that moves the maximal or minimal point to a new position on the pixel grid, the new position being offset from each X-axis pixel line or each Y-axis pixel line in the pixel grid,
• wherein said new position of said maximal or minimal point is defined by a new coordinate value, and wherein each original coordinate value and each new coordinate value comprises an integer portion and a decimal portion, said each new coordinate value being determined by adding a predetermined value to the integer portion of the corresponding original coordinate value.

A method of improving the appearance of a character upon converting original character outline data into dot data representing image dots having centers formed at pixel positions within the character outline, the pixel positions being defined on a pixel grid having X-axis pixel lines and Y-axis pixel lines, the X-axis pixel lines and Y-axis pixel lines being spaced apart by the width of a pixel and defining coordinate values on the pixel grid, the method comprising the steps of:

• reading the original character outline data to determine points that define segments of the outline;
• determining segments of the outline that are curved;
• determining a minimal or maximal point of at least one of the curved segments;
• calculating an original coordinate value of the minimal or maximal point of said at least one curved segment, the original coordinate value having an integer portion and a decimal portion;
• determining a new coordinate value for the minimal or maximal point, the determining step including the step of adding a predetermined value to the integer portion of the original coordinate value to obtain the new coordinate value of the minimal or maximal point;
• moving the minimal or maximal point to a new position defined by the new coordinate value;
• finding all points on said at least one curved segment that have original coordinate values whose difference from the original coordinate value of the minimal or maximal point is within a predetermined range;
• and
• moving said found points so that said coordinate values of said found points are the same as the new coordinate value of the minimal or maximal point.