Output apparatus and method for outputting a character using a run-length compressed font
AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsYasuki Onizuka, Masashi Kamada
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Data is converted by a prediction function. The converted data is run length compressed and the resultant compressed font data is stored into an ROM. When outputting, the compressive data is sent to a run length expander. The run length expander produces bits of fonts and sequentially stores the produced bits in a RAM. The stored data is sent to a reverse prediction function processor and a font pattern is formed.
Claims18
An output apparatus comprising:
- memory means for storing image data obtained by changing a target pixel to a white pixel if a pattern comprising the target pixel and a pixel adjacent to the target pixel is coincident with a predetermined pattern and if the target pixel is a black pixel, such that image data is converted into image data having an increased number of white pixels and by compressing the converted image data by a run-length method;
- expansion means for expanding the compressed image data read from said memory means by the run-length method;
- and
- reproduction means for reproducing image data on the basis of the image data expanded by said expansion means by changing a target pixel to a black pixel if a pattern comprising the target pixel and a pixel adjacent to the target pixel is not coincident with a predetermined pattern and if the target pixel is a white pixel,
- wherein said expansion means inputs the compressed image data in parallel, converts the input image data into serial data, expands the serial data, converts the expanded serial data into parallel data, and outputs resulting data in parallel, and
- wherein said reproduction means inputs the image data expanded by said expansion means in parallel, reproduces the image data on the basis of the input image data, and outputs the reproduced image data in parallel.
An output method using a memory for storing image data obtained by changing a target pixel to a white pixel if a pattern comprising the target pixel and a pixel adjacent to the target pixel is coincident with a predetermined pattern and if the target pixel is a black pixel, such that image data is converted into image data having an increased number of white pixels and by compressing the converted image data by a run-length method, said output method comprising the steps of:
- expanding the compressed image data read from the memory by the run-length method;
- and
- reproducing image data on the basis of the image data expanded in said expansion step by changing a target pixel to a black pixel if a pattern comprising the target pixel and a pixel adjacent to the target pixel is not coincident with a predetermined pattern and if the target pixel is a white pixel,
- wherein said expansion step inputs the compressed image data in parallel, converts the input image data into serial data, expands the serial data, converts the expanded serial data into parallel data, and outputs the resulting data in parallel, and
- wherein said reproduction step inputs the image data expanded in said expansion step in parallel, reproduces the image data on the basis of the input image data, and outputs the reproduced image data in parallel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.