US5577184A
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US
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Character pattern output apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1993-09-22
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Granted: 1996-11-19
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Expires: 2013-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A character output apparatus including a memory for storing a first type of character pattern definition having a bit map form and a second type of character pattern definition which can be output in bit map form by an arithmetic operating process. A selection is made whether a first output process using the first type of character pattern definition or a second output process using the second type of character definition is used for outputting a given character pattern. A determination is made whether a prescribed condition is satisfied upon generation of the character pattern in accordance with the first or second output process selected. The selected first or second output process is changed to the other one if it is determined that the prescribed condition is not satisfied.
Inventors
- 👤 Toru Matoba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:17
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/22; G09G5/24; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/002; G06K2215/0037; G06K2215/004; G06K2215/0054; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S345/00; Y10S345/948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A character output apparatus comprising: memory means for storing a first type of character pattern definition having a bit map form and a second type of character pattern definition which can be output in bit map form by an arithmetic operating process; means for determining whether an additional memory has a sufficient available capacity for storing a character pattern in accordance with either a first output process using the first type of character pattern definition or a second output process using the second type of character pattern definition; and means for selecting the first or second output process in response to a determination by said determining means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A character output apparatus comprising: memory means for storing a first type of character pattern definition having a bit map form and a second type of character pattern definition which can be output in bit map form by an arithmetic operating process; means for determining whether an additional memory has a sufficient available capacity for storing a character pattern in accordance with either a first output process using the first type of character pattern definition or a second output process using the second type of character pattern definition; and means for selecting the first or second output process in response to a determination by said determining means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selecting means is responsive to an external command indicating which process is to be used.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selecting means selects either one of the two processes for character data input after receipt of the external command.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the external command is manually input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, or 4, wherein the second type of character pattern definition comprises stroke font data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second type of character pattern definition comprises vector font data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the external command is effective for character data received until the next such command is received.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 or 7, further comprising means for storing information indicating which of the first and second processes is currently selected for use.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic operating process is a scaling process for the character pattern.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second type of character pattern definition includes coordinate data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, including means for connection to a host computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for receiving a variety of control commands from the host computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a page buffer memory.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising means for determining whether or not data input from the host computer is character data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting the character pattern generated in accordance with the first or second output process selected by said selecting means or changed by said changing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said output means comprises a printer device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said output means comprises a display device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
116 words
A character output method using memory means for storing a first type of character pattern definition having a bit map form and a second type of character pattern definition which can be output in bit map form by an arithmetic operating process and using an additional memory, said method comprising the steps of: determining whether the additional memory has a sufficient available capacity for storing a character pattern in accordance with either of a first output process using the first type of character pattern definition or a second output process using the second type of character pattern definition; and selecting the first or second output process in response to a determination made in said determining step.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
116 words
A character output method using memory means for storing a first type of character pattern definition having a bit map form and a second type of character pattern definition which can be output in bit map form by an arithmetic operating process and using an additional memory, said method comprising the steps of: determining whether the additional memory has a sufficient available capacity for storing a character pattern in accordance with either of a first output process using the first type of character pattern definition or a second output process using the second type of character pattern definition; and selecting the first or second output process in response to a determination made in said determining step.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An output method according to claim 18, wherein the selecting step is responsive to an external command indicating which process is to be used.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
An output method according to claim 19, wherein the external command is manually input.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
An output method according to claim 18, 19, or 20, wherein the second type of character pattern definition comprises stroke font data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
An output method according to claim 19, wherein said selecting step selects either one of the two processes for character data input after receipt of the external command.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
An output method according to claim 19, wherein the external command is effective for character data received until the next such command is received.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
An output method according to claim 22 or 23, further comprising a step for storing information indicating which of the first and second processes is currently selected for use.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
An output method according to claim 18, wherein the arithmetic operating process is a scaling process for the character pattern.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
An output method according to claim 18, wherein the second type of character pattern definition includes coordinate data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
An output method according to claim 18, further comprising a step for determining whether or not data input from a host computer is character data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
An output method according to claim 18, wherein the second type of character pattern definition comprises vector font data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 18, further comprising a step for outputting the character pattern generated in accordance with the first or second output process selected by said selecting step or changed by said changing step.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said output step outputs using a printer device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein said output step outputs using a display device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-19 | 2000-05-20 | 2000-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-19 | 2004-05-20 | 2004-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-19 | 2008-05-20 | 2008-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |