US5740456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and system for controlling intercharacter spacing as font size and resolution of output device vary
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1996-04-03
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Granted: 1998-04-14
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Expires: 2016-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A method of controlling the intercharacter spacing between adjacent characters in automatic typography systems. The method ensures that the autohinter creates even spacing between two adjacent characters as the resolution and font size varies. The left and right sidebearings of each character are hinted to one of a plurality of numbers of pixels to produce a hinted left sidebearing and a hinted right sidebearing. Next, a predetermined number of pixels are subtracted from one of the hinted sidebearings and added to the other of the hinted sidebearings. At font sizes less than a predetermined threshold, the plurality of numbers of pixels are such that the left and right sidebearings are hinted to a nearest integer plus one-half pixel, and at all font sizes greater than the predetermined threshold, the left and right sidebearings are hinted to a nearest integer.
Inventors
- 👤 Dov Harel
- 👤 Martin P. Tompa
- 👤 Eliyezer Kohen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/20; G06T11/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In an automatic typography system, a method of controlling the intercharacter spacing between adjacent characters, each of said characters having a left sidebearing and a right sidebearing, said method comprising the steps of: hinting each of said left and right sidebearings of said each character to one of a plurality of numbers of pixels to produce a hinted left sidebearing and a hinted right sidebearing; and subtracting a predetermined number of pixels from one of said hinted sidebearings and adding said predetermined number of pixels to the other of said hinted sidebearings to make said one of said hinted sidebearings a first integral number of pixels and said other of said hinted sidebearings a second integral number of pixels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In an automatic typography system, a method of controlling the intercharacter spacing between adjacent characters, each of said characters having a left sidebearing and a right sidebearing, said method comprising the steps of: hinting each of said left and right sidebearings of said each character to one of a plurality of numbers of pixels to produce a hinted left sidebearing and a hinted right sidebearing; and subtracting a predetermined number of pixels from one of said hinted sidebearings and adding said predetermined number of pixels to the other of said hinted sidebearings to make said one of said hinted sidebearings a first integral number of pixels and said other of said hinted sidebearings a second integral number of pixels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1, wherein at font sizes less than a predetermined threshold, said plurality of numbers of pixels are such that said left and right sidebearings are hinted to a nearest integer plus one-half pixel, and at all font sizes greater than said predetermined threshold said left and right sidebearings are hinted to a nearest integer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 2, wherein at said font sizes less than a predetermined threshold, said predetermined number of pixels is one half pixel, and at said all font sizes greater than said predetermined threshold said predetermined number of pixels is zero.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined number of pixels is one-half pixel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
An autohinter for controlling intercharacter spacing between adjacent characters, each of said characters having a left sidebearing and a right sidebearing, comprising: a hinting element for hinting said left and right sidebearings of said each said character to one of a plurality of numbers of pixels to produce a hinted left sidebearing and a hinted right sidebearing; and an adjusting element for subtracting a predetermined number of pixels from one of said hinted sidebearings and adding said predetermined number of pixels to the other of said hinted sidebearings to make said one of said hinted sidebearings a fast integral number of pixels and said other of said hinted sidebearings a second integral number of pixels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
An autohinter for controlling intercharacter spacing between adjacent characters, each of said characters having a left sidebearing and a right sidebearing, comprising: a hinting element for hinting said left and right sidebearings of said each said character to one of a plurality of numbers of pixels to produce a hinted left sidebearing and a hinted right sidebearing; and an adjusting element for subtracting a predetermined number of pixels from one of said hinted sidebearings and adding said predetermined number of pixels to the other of said hinted sidebearings to make said one of said hinted sidebearings a fast integral number of pixels and said other of said hinted sidebearings a second integral number of pixels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The autohinter of claim 5, wherein at font sizes less than a predetermined threshold, said plurality of numbers of pixels are such that said left and right sidebearing are hinted to a nearest integer plus one half pixel, and at all larger font sizes said left and right sidebearings are hinted to a nearest integer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The autohinter of claim 6, wherein at font sizes less than said predetermined threshold, said predetermined number of pixels is one half pixel, and at all larger sizes said predetermined number of pixels is zero.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program module for controlling the intercharacter spacing between adjacent characters, each character having a left sidebearing and a right sidebearing, the program module comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform the steps of: hinting each of said left and right sidebearings of said each character to one of a plurality of numbers of pixels to produce a hinted left sidebearing and a hinted right sidebearing; and subtracting a predetermined number of pixels from one of said hinted sidebearings and adding said predetermined number of pixels to the other of said hinted sidebearings to make said one of said hinted sidebearings a first integral number of pixels and said other of said hinted sidebearings a second integral number of pixels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program module for controlling the intercharacter spacing between adjacent characters, each character having a left sidebearing and a right sidebearing, the program module comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform the steps of: hinting each of said left and right sidebearings of said each character to one of a plurality of numbers of pixels to produce a hinted left sidebearing and a hinted right sidebearing; and subtracting a predetermined number of pixels from one of said hinted sidebearings and adding said predetermined number of pixels to the other of said hinted sidebearings to make said one of said hinted sidebearings a first integral number of pixels and said other of said hinted sidebearings a second integral number of pixels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein at font sizes less than a predetermined threshold, said plurality of numbers of pixels are such that said left and right sidebearings are hinted to a nearest integer plus one-half pixel, and at all font sizes greater than said predetermined threshold said left and right sidebearings are hinted to a nearest integer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein at font sizes less than a predetermined threshold, said predetermined number of pixels is one-half pixel, and at all font sizes greater than said predetermined threshold, said predetermined number of pixels is zero.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein said predetermined number of pixels is one-half pixel.
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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) | 2001-04-13 | 2001-10-13 | 2002-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-13 | 2005-10-13 | 2006-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-13 | 2009-10-13 | 2010-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |