Bifurcating background colors between word and non-word space for improving text readability

Claim 1

A data presentation apparatus including: raster processor for converting text data specifying text elements, such as characters and words formed by characters, into raster image data for displaying said text elements, said raster image data comprising a pattern of filled area pixels having a first grey level or color and background pixels having a seconds, different, grey level or color; and a raster output device which is capable of reproducing multi-grey level or multi-color pixels, connected to said raster processor for reproducing said raster image data delivered by said raster processor; wherein said raster processor is laid out for delivering raster image data including background pixels having an adjusted grey level or color, so that the latter background pixels are reproduced having an intermediate grey level or color resulting from mixing said first and second grey levels or colors, said background pixels having said adjusted grey level or color being situated in the spaces between the characters within each word only, to the exclusion of the spaces between the words, and above and below the characters.

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claims 1 or 4, wherein said raster processor employs a font which, for each character, specifies a character matrix of filled area pixels depicting the character, and background pixels, in which character matrix background pixels flanking at least one side of the character have said intermediate grey level or color, while satisfying said exclusionary language.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claims 1 or 4, wherein said raster processor employs two fonts selectively, a first font specifying for each character a character matrix of filled area pixels of said first grey level or color, depicting the character, and background pixels having said second color; and a second font substantially identical to the first font, except in that in each character matrix background pixels flanking one side of the character have said intermediate grey level or color; and selects said first font for all characters, said one side of which borders on a word delimiter, and said second font for all other characters.

Claim 10

A method of processing text for reproduction on a raster output device which is capable of reproducing multi-grey level or multi-color pixels, comprising converting text data specifying text elements, such as characters and words formed by characters, into raster image data suitable for reproduction by said raster output device, said raster image data comprising a pattern of filled area pixels having a first grey level or color and background pixels having a second, different, grey level or color; wherein the grey level or color of at least some of said background pixels is adjusted, so that the latter background pixels are reproduced having an intermediate grey level or color resulting from mixing said first and said second grey levels or colors, said background pixels of which the grey level or color is adjusted being situated in the spaces between the characters within each word only, to the exclusion of the spaces between the words, and above and below the characters.

Claim 11

A method of processing text for reproduction on a raster output device which is capable of reproducing multi-grey level or multi-color pixels, comprising converting text data specifying text elements, such as characters and words formed by characters, into raster image data suitable for reproduction by said raster output device, said raster image data comprising a pattern of filled area pixels having a first grey level or color and background pixels having a second, different, grey level or color; wherein the grey level or color of at least some of said background pixels is adjusted, so that the latter background pixels are reproduced having an intermediate grey level or color resulting from mixing said first and said second grey levels or colors, said background pixels of which the grey level or color is adjusted being situated in the spaces between the characters within each word only, to the exclusion of the spaces between the words, and above and below the characters.

Claim 17

A method according to claims 9 or 12, wherein a font is used which for each character specifies a character matrix of filled area pixels depicting the character, and background pixels, in which character matrix background pixels flanking at least one side of the character have said intermediate grey level or color, while satisfying said exclusionary language.

Claim 18

A method according to claims 9 or 12, wherein two fonts are employed selectively, a first font specifying for each character a character matrix of filled area pixels of said first grey level or color, depicting the character, and background pixels having said second color; and a second font, substantially identical to the first font, except in that in each character matrix background pixels flanking one side of the character have said intermediate grey level or color; wherein said first font is selected for all characters the said one side of which borders on a word delimiter and said second font is selected for all other characters.