Apparatus for converting character outline data into dot-matrix data for display or printing

An apparatus for producing dot-matrix data from outline data defining at least one original outline of an alpha-numeric character or other symbol in an image in a two-dimensional coordinate system provided by an X axis and a Y axis perpendicular to each other, comprising:

• first transforming means for transforming, according to transformation data, first interval data defining a plurality of original intervals with respect to at least one of said X axis and said Y axis, into second interval data defining a plurality of transformed intervals with respect to said at least one of said X axis and said Y axis;
• correcting means for correcting, according to a first predetermined rule, said second interval data into third interval data defining a plurality of corrected intervals with respect to said at least one of said X axis and said Y axis;
• transformation-function determining means for determining, based on said first interval data and said third interval data, a transformation function for each of at least one of said original intervals defined with respect to said at least one of said X axis and said Y axis;
• second transforming means for transforming first outline data as said outline data, into second outline data defining at least one transformed outline of said image, said first outline data comprising a plurality of original sets of x and y coordinates which cooperate with each other to define said original outline of said image, said second outline data comprising a plurality of transformed sets of x and y coordinates which cooperate with each other to define said transformed outline of said image,
• said second transforming means transforming at least one of (a) an x coordinate and (b) a y coordinate of at least one said original set of x and y coordinates within said each of said at least one of said original intervals defined with respect to said at least one of (a) said X axis and (b) said Y axis, into at least one of (a) an x coordinate and (b) a y coordinate of at least one said transformed set of x and y coordinates within a corresponding one of said corrected intervals, according to said transformation function determined for said each original interval;
• dot-matrix data producing means for producing said dot-matrix data from said second outline data according to a second predetermined rule, said dot-matrix data comprising a plurality of sets of inside data substantially defining an image area within said transformed outline of said image defined by said second outline data, and a plurality of sets of outside data substantially defining an outside area outside of said transformed outline of said image;
• and
• presentation means for presenting said dot-matrix data to an observer corresponding to the alpha-numeric character or other symbol in the image.