Apparatus for forming character patterns with line segments

Abstract

A character pattern forming apparatus has a ROM, a RAM, and a CPU. The ROM includes a first memory area for storing a plurality of segment data respectively designating different segments of a character each segment having one or more dots arranged in a row and column of a pattern. The first memory also stores predetermined arrangement forms for forming line patterns. A second memory area of the ROM stores a plurality of character fonts each having a plurality of line pattern data which respectively specify a type segment forming a basis for each line pattern, and a dimension and an arrangement of said line patterns. The RAM includes a third memory area in which line patterns for at least one character are stored. The CPU reads from the second memory area a character font of a character to be formed, reads from the first memory area segment data specified by each of the line pattern data for the character font. The CPU determines the number of segments of said segment data needed for determining a size of the specified line patterns. The CPU forms the specified line patterns by arranging a needed number of the segments in said third memory area that correspond to the specified pattern arrangement, thereby forming a character pattern in combination with the line patterns arranged in the third memory area.