System, method and computer readable medium for encoding curves

A system for encoding a curve comprising:

• a point selection module for selecting a plurality of representative points disposed along the curve;
• an arrangement module for arranging a plurality of elemental structure blocks at the representative points, each of the elemental structure blocks corresponding to the respective one of the representative points, each of the elemental structure blocks comprising:
• a trunk, and
• a plurality of branches, each of which being attached to an end point of the trunk at a predetermined angular configuration and having a different code assigned, the end point of the trunk generally overlapping with each of the representative points;
• a branch selection module for selecting a branch closest to the gradient vector at respective one of the representative points from the plurality of branches included in the current elemental structure block corresponding to the respective one of the representative points, the branch selection being performed sequentially from one representative point to another along the curve;
• an adjustment module for adjusting a direction and a rotational angle of a next elemental structure block, a direction and rotational angle of the trunk arranged at the next representative point generally coinciding with a designated direction and rotational angle predetermined for the selected branch, the adjustment being performed after the branch selection module selecting the branch arranged at the current representative point and before the branch selection module selecting the branch arranged at the next representative point;
• and
• a code generator module for generating data representing the curve by using the assigned codes of the selected branches.

A method for encoding a curve comprising:

• preparing the curve as a target to be encoded;
• selecting a plurality of representative points disposed along the curve;
• calculating a plurality of gradient vectors, each of which corresponding to the respective one of the representative points;
• providing a plurality of elemental structure blocks, each of which comprising a trunk and a plurality of branches, each branch being attached to an end point of the trunk at a predetermined angular configuration, each of the branch having a direction vector;
• arranging a first elemental structure block, which corresponding to a first representative point, the end point for the first elemental structure block generally overlapping with the first representative point;
• selecting a branch closest to a first gradient vector corresponding to the first representative point among the branches included in the first elemental structure block;
• adjusting a direction and a rotational angle of the selected branch, the direction vector of which generally coinciding with the first gradient vector;
• adjusting a direction and a rotational angle of a branch of a second elemental structure block to be selected, the direction of the trunk included in the second elemental structure block generally coinciding with the direction of the selected branch included in the first elemental structure block;
• assigning codes to the branches included in the second elemental structure block, the branches having a different code from each other;
• repeating from the first elemental structure block arranging step to the code assigning step with respect to a next representative point disposed along the curve;
• and
• generating data representing the curve by using the assigned codes of the selected branches, wherein
• the method is performed using a processor or computer.