US5808600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Character pattern forming method and apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1997-06-02
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Granted: 1998-09-15
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Expires: 2017-06-02
Abstract
Abstract Character forming method and apparatus are provided. Font data is stored. The conditions to develop the stored font data are stored. An area to develop the font data is reserved in a memory in accordance with the stored conditions. The font data is developed in the area reserved. The font data is vector information. The condition to develop the font data is that the data is either one of the outline data, shadow data, and filler data. The bit map patterns of filler pattern, outline pattern, and shadow pattern are formed in accordance with the developed font data and are individually stored.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasushi Mochizuki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A character pattern forming method comprising the steps of: storing one basic pattern data corresponding to one character code; designating a type of outline pattern and a type of shadow pattern; forming an outline pattern in accordance with the designated type of outline pattern and a shadow pattern in accordance with the designated type of shadow pattern from the stored basic pattern data, wherein the outline pattern and the shadow pattern are formed in respective different processes; individually storing each of the formed outline and shadow patterns; and controlling the output of a synthesized pattern by combining the stored outline and shadow patterns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A character pattern forming method comprising the steps of: storing one basic pattern data corresponding to one character code; designating a type of outline pattern and a type of shadow pattern; forming an outline pattern in accordance with the designated type of outline pattern and a shadow pattern in accordance with the designated type of shadow pattern from the stored basic pattern data, wherein the outline pattern and the shadow pattern are formed in respective different processes; individually storing each of the formed outline and shadow patterns; and controlling the output of a synthesized pattern by combining the stored outline and shadow patterns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said method is carried out in a printer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the controlling step further includes the step of controlling, in response to input of the output instruction, the output of either one of the stored outline and shadow patterns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the output instruction is input from a host computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the designated type indicates a type of hatching pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the designated type indicates color information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said controlling step comprises outputting the synthesized pattern combined with a filler pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said forming step comprises forming the pattern in response to a designated character size.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said forming step comprises forming the pattern in response to a designated outline thickness.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said forming step comprises forming the pattern in response to a designated shadow direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said forming step comprises forming the pattern in response to a designated shadow length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprises the step of storing the formed pattern in a font cache memory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said controlling step comprises outputting the synthesized pattern as a bit map image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
112 words
A character pattern forming apparatus comprising: storing means for storing one basic pattern data corresponding to one character code; designating a type of outline pattern and a type of shadow pattern; forming means for forming an outline pattern in accordance with the designated type of outline pattern and a shadow pattern in accordance with the designated type of shadow pattern from the stored basic pattern data, wherein the outline pattern and the shadow pattern are formed in respective different processes; storing means for individually storing each of the formed outline and shadow patterns; and control means for controlling the output of a synthesized pattern by combining the stored outline and shadow patterns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
112 words
A character pattern forming apparatus comprising: storing means for storing one basic pattern data corresponding to one character code; designating a type of outline pattern and a type of shadow pattern; forming means for forming an outline pattern in accordance with the designated type of outline pattern and a shadow pattern in accordance with the designated type of shadow pattern from the stored basic pattern data, wherein the outline pattern and the shadow pattern are formed in respective different processes; storing means for individually storing each of the formed outline and shadow patterns; and control means for controlling the output of a synthesized pattern by combining the stored outline and shadow patterns.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claims 14, wherein the control means further includes the controlling, in response to input of the output instruction, the output of either one of the stored outline and shadow patterns.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said apparatus is a printer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the output instruction is input from a host computer.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
16 words
A method according to claims 14, wherein the designated type indicates a type of hatching pattern.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein the designated type indicates color information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said control means outputs the synthesized pattern combined with a filler pattern.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said forming means forms the pattern in response to a designated character size.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said forming means forms the pattern in response to a designated outline thickness.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said forming means forms the pattern in response to a designated shadow direction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said forming means forms the pattern in response to a designated shadow length.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claims wherein said storing means comprises a font cache memory.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said control means outputs the synthesized pattern as a bit map image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer-readable memory medium storing computer-executable process steps to form a character pattern, the steps comprising: a storing step to store one basic pattern data corresponding to one character code; a designating step to designate a type of outline pattern and type of shadow pattern; a forming step to form an outline pattern in accordance with the designated type of outline pattern and a shadow pattern in accordance with the designated type of shadow pattern from the stored basic pattern data, wherein the outline pattern and the shadow pattern are formed in respective different processes; a storing step to individually store each of the formed outline and shadow patterns; and a controlling step to control the output of a synthesized pattern by combining the stored outline and shadow patterns.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer-readable memory medium storing computer-executable process steps to form a character pattern, the steps comprising: a storing step to store one basic pattern data corresponding to one character code; a designating step to designate a type of outline pattern and type of shadow pattern; a forming step to form an outline pattern in accordance with the designated type of outline pattern and a shadow pattern in accordance with the designated type of shadow pattern from the stored basic pattern data, wherein the outline pattern and the shadow pattern are formed in respective different processes; a storing step to individually store each of the formed outline and shadow patterns; and a controlling step to control the output of a synthesized pattern by combining the stored outline and shadow patterns.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said controlling step comprises outputting the synthesized pattern combined with a filler pattern.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said forming step comprises forming the pattern in response to a designated character size.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said forming step comprises forming the pattern in response to a designated outline thickness.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said forming step comprises forming the pattern in response to a designated shadow direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said forming step comprises forming the pattern in response to a designated shadow length.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 27, further comprises the step of storing the formed pattern in a font cache memory.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said controlling step comprises outputting the synthesized pattern as a bit map image.
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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) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-03-16 | 2002-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-14 | 2006-03-16 | 2006-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-14 | 2010-03-16 | 2010-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |