Brother Kogyo Kabushiki-Kaisha

Yosuke Ito

Hiroshi Hattori

Hiroyuki Sasaki

Ichiro Sasaki

Fumihito Hayano

To reduce a memory area required to store bit-map data in a character output device in which bit-map data generated from outline data is stored for reuse. If font data corresponding to one character data read is from an input data RAM, then bit-map data is generated from the character data. If the vertical size of the bit-map data is 64 dots or longer than this, then the bit-map data is converted into run length data, which is stored in the font data RAM. If the vertical size of the bit-map data is less than 64 dots long, then the bit-map data is stored in the font data RAM.

Character output device

An apparatus having a dot data preparing device for converting original outline data representative of an outline of a character into dot data indicative of image dots to be formed at picture elements which lie within the character outline, when the character outline is superimposed on a coordinated pixel screen wherein the picture elements are defined by parallel x-axis pixel lines and parallel y-axis pixel lines perpendicular to the x-axis pixel lines. The apparatus includes a device for calculating a coordinate value of a maximal or minimal point of a segment of the character outline in an x-axis or y-axis direction, and an outline moving device for moving the outline such that the coordinate value of the maximal or minimal point has a predetermined positional relationship with the pixel lines. The dot data preparing device prepares the dot data, according to the outline data representative of the outline moved by the outline moving device.

Apparatus for converting character outline data into dot data, having

Two thick line segments intersecting at respective ends thereof are drawn with smooth lines at a portion where the ends of the two line segments merge. To this end, the two lines segments are extended in directions to overlap one on the other and an overlapped graphic segment is extracted for use in complementing the intersecting portion.

Graphic image drawing device

An apparatus for preparing output data representative of an output image consisting of output image segments each defined by output picture elements such that each output image segments corresponds to each input picture element. The apparatus includes a pattern data memory for storing at least one set of basic output-image unit pattern data each representative of a basic pattern of position of output picture elements defining a basic output image area, and a device for preparing the output data for each output image segment whose pattern of positions of output picture elements is identical with the basic pattern represented by any set of basic output-image unit pattern data stored in the memory. The output data are prepared based on the appropriate set of unit pattern data, without determining the positions of the output picture elements lying within the outline of that output image segment obtained from the corresponding input picture element.

Growing community of inventors

Nagoya, Japan

Yosuke Ito