System and method for rapidly displaying text in a graphical user interface

Claim 5

The system of claim 2, wherein each software instruction comprises a pixel-drawing function call for drawing a pixel on an output device.

Claim 6

The system of claim 3, further comprising a common sub-expression elimination module coupled to the code generation module for selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a function call for drawing a primitive.

Claim 7

The system of claim 4, wherein the function call for drawing a primitive comprises a line-drawing function call.

Claim 8

The system of claim 2, wherein the code generation module comprises a source code generation module for generating a function represented as source code, and a compiler coupled to the source code generation module for compiling the source code to generate executable code.

Claim 9

The system of claim 2, wherein the code generation module selectively generates executable code containing a sequence of software instructions for displaying in anti-aliased form the character represented by the bitmap.

Claim 12

A computer-implemented method of displaying text on an output device, comprising: a) accepting at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; b) generating executable code for drawing each character according to the characteristics, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; c) storing the generated executable code; and d) selectively executing the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 13

A computer-implemented method of displaying text on an output device, comprising: a) accepting at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; b) generating executable code for drawing each character according to the characteristics, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; c) storing the generated executable code; and d) selectively executing the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 14

A computer-implemented method of generating executable code for drawing characters in a character set, comprising: a) receiving encoded specifications for a character; b) interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap; c) scanning the bitmap to generate executable code containing a sequence of software instructions for displaying the character represented by the bitmap, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation and d) storing the generated executable code.

Claim 15

A computer-implemented method of generating executable code for drawing characters in a character set, comprising: a) receiving encoded specifications for a character; b) interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap; c) scanning the bitmap to generate executable code containing a sequence of software instructions for displaying the character represented by the bitmap, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation and d) storing the generated executable code.

Claim 16

The method of claim 10, wherein c) comprises: c.1) scanning, the bitmap to generate source code; and c.2) compiling the source code to generate executable code.

Claim 17

The method of claim 10, wherein c) comprises scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls.

Claim 18

The method of claim 10, wherein c) comprises: c.1) scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls; and c.2) selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a function call for drawing a primitive.

Claim 19

The method of claim 13, wherein c.1) comprises selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a line-drawing function call.

Claim 20

The method of claim 13, wherein c.1) comprises: c.1.1) selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a horizontal line-drawing function call; c.1.2) selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a vertical line-drawing function call; and c.1.3) selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a diagonal line-drawing function call.

Claim 21

The method of claim 10, wherein c) comprises scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions selectively containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for drawing anti-aliased text.

Claim 22

The method of claim 10, wherein c) comprises: c.1) determining the point size of the character; c.2) responsive to the determined point size falling below a predefined threshold value, scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for drawing anti-aliased text; and c.3) responsive to the determined point size not falling below the predefined threshold value, scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls for drawing non-anti-aliased text.

Claim 23

A computer-implemented method of displaying text on an output device, comprising: a) accepting at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; b) determining the point size of the character set; c) for each of a plurality of characters in the character set: c.1) receiving encoded specifications for the character; c.2) responsive to the point size of the character set being smaller than a predetermined point size: c.2.1) interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at increased resolution; and c.2.2) scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in anti-aliased form; c.3) responsive to the point size of the character set not being smaller than the predetermined point size: c.3.1) interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at standard resolution; c.3.2) scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in non-anti-aliased form; and c.3.3) selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a line-drawing function call; c.4) compiling the source code to generate executable code, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; and c.5) storing the generated executable code; and d) selectively executing the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 24

A computer-implemented method of displaying text on an output device, comprising: a) accepting at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; b) determining the point size of the character set; c) for each of a plurality of characters in the character set: c.1) receiving encoded specifications for the character; c.2) responsive to the point size of the character set being smaller than a predetermined point size: c.2.1) interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at increased resolution; and c.2.2) scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in anti-aliased form; c.3) responsive to the point size of the character set not being smaller than the predetermined point size: c.3.1) interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at standard resolution; c.3.2) scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in non-anti-aliased form; and c.3.3) selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a line-drawing function call; c.4) compiling the source code to generate executable code, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; and c.5) storing the generated executable code; and d) selectively executing the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 25

A computer-implemented method of displaying text on an output device, comprising: a) providing executable code for rendering at least one character in a character set comprising a plurality of characters, each character having characteristics, the executable code being directly executable without compilation; b) identifying for display one of the characters in the character set; c) determining characteristics for display of the identified character; and d) executing the executable code using the determined characteristics to display the identified character on an output device.

Claim 26

A computer-implemented method of displaying text on an output device, comprising: a) providing executable code for rendering at least one character in a character set comprising a plurality of characters, each character having characteristics, the executable code being directly executable without compilation; b) identifying for display one of the characters in the character set; c) determining characteristics for display of the identified character; and d) executing the executable code using the determined characteristics to display the identified character on an output device.

Claim 27

A computer-implemented system for displaying text on an output device, comprising: input means for accepting at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; executable code generation means, coupled to the input means, for generating executable code for drawing each character according to the characteristics, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; storage means, coupled to the executable code generation means, for storing the generated executable code; and execution means, coupled to the storage means, for selectively executing the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 28

A computer-implemented system for displaying text on an output device, comprising: input means for accepting at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; executable code generation means, coupled to the input means, for generating executable code for drawing each character according to the characteristics, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; storage means, coupled to the executable code generation means, for storing the generated executable code; and execution means, coupled to the storage means, for selectively executing the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 29

A computer-implemented system for generating executable code for drawing characters in a character set, comprising: input means for receiving encoded specifications for a character; interpretation means, coupled to the input means, for interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap; scanning means, coupled to the interpretation means, for scanning the bitmap to generate executable code containing a sequence of software instructions for displaying the character represented by the bitmap, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; and storage means, coupled to the scanning means, for storing the generated executable code.

Claim 30

A computer-implemented system for generating executable code for drawing characters in a character set, comprising: input means for receiving encoded specifications for a character; interpretation means, coupled to the input means, for interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap; scanning means, coupled to the interpretation means, for scanning the bitmap to generate executable code containing a sequence of software instructions for displaying the character represented by the bitmap, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; and storage means, coupled to the scanning means, for storing the generated executable code.

Claim 31

The system of claim 21, wherein the scanning means comprises: source code generation means, for scanning the bitmap to generate source code; and compiling means, coupled to the source code generation means, for compiling the source code to generate executable code.

Claim 32

The system of claim 21, wherein the scanning means comprises: scanning means, for scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls.

Claim 33

The system of claim 21, wherein the scanning means comprises: software generation means for scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls; and function call generation means, coupled to the software generation means, for selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a function call for drawing a primitive.

Claim 34

The system of claim 24, wherein the software generation means comprises line-drawing function call means, for selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a line-drawing function call.

Claim 35

The system of claim 24, wherein the software generation means comprises: horizontal line-drawing function call means, for selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a horizontal line-drawing function call; vertical line-drawing function call means, for selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a vertical line-drawing function call; and diagonal line-drawing function call means, for selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a diagonal line-drawing function call.

Claim 36

The system of claim 21, wherein the scanning means comprises software generation means, for scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions selectively containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for drawing anti-aliased text.

Claim 37

The system of claim 21, wherein the scanning means comprises: point size determination means, for determining the point size of the character; anti-aliased text software generation means, coupled to the point size determination means, for, responsive to the determined point size falling below a predefined threshold value, scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for drawing anti-aliased text; and non-anti-aliased text software generation means, coupled to the point size determination means, for, responsive to the determined point size not falling below the predefined threshold value, scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls for drawing non-anti-aliased text.

Claim 38

A computer-implemented system for displaying text on an output device, comprising: input means for accepting at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; point size determination means, coupled to the input means, for determining the point size of the character set; executable code generation means, coupled to the input means, for, for each of a plurality of characters in the character set: receiving encoded specifications for the character; responsive to the point size of the character set being smaller than a predetermined point size: interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at increased resolution; and scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in anti-aliased form; responsive to the point size of the character set not being smaller than the predetermined point size: interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at standard resolution; scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in non-anti-aliased form; and selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a line-drawing function call; and compiling the source code to generate executable code, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; storage means, coupled to the executable code generation means, for storing the generated executable code; and execution means, coupled to the storage means, for selectively executing the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 39

A computer-implemented system for displaying text on an output device, comprising: input means for accepting at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; point size determination means, coupled to the input means, for determining the point size of the character set; executable code generation means, coupled to the input means, for, for each of a plurality of characters in the character set: receiving encoded specifications for the character; responsive to the point size of the character set being smaller than a predetermined point size: interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at increased resolution; and scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in anti-aliased form; responsive to the point size of the character set not being smaller than the predetermined point size: interpreting the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at standard resolution; scanning the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in non-anti-aliased form; and selectively replacing at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a line-drawing function call; and compiling the source code to generate executable code, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; storage means, coupled to the executable code generation means, for storing the generated executable code; and execution means, coupled to the storage means, for selectively executing the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 40

A computer-implemented system for displaying text on an output device, comprising: executable code means, for providing executable code for rendering at least one character in a character set comprising a plurality of characters, each character having characteristics, the executable code being directly executable without compilation; identification means, coupled to the executable code means, for identifying for display one of the characters in the character set; characteristics determination means, coupled to the identification means, for determining characteristics for display of the identified character; and execution means, coupled to the executable code means, for executing the executable code using the determined characteristics to display the identified character on an output device.

Claim 41

A computer-implemented system for displaying text on an output device, comprising: executable code means, for providing executable code for rendering at least one character in a character set comprising a plurality of characters, each character having characteristics, the executable code being directly executable without compilation; identification means, coupled to the executable code means, for identifying for display one of the characters in the character set; characteristics determination means, coupled to the identification means, for determining characteristics for display of the identified character; and execution means, coupled to the executable code means, for executing the executable code using the determined characteristics to display the identified character on an output device.

Claim 42

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for displaying text on an output device, comprising: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to accept at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to generate executable code for drawing each character according to the characteristics, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to store the generated executable code; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to selectively execute the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 43

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for displaying text on an output device, comprising: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to accept at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to generate executable code for drawing each character according to the characteristics, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to store the generated executable code; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to selectively execute the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 44

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for generating executable code for drawing characters in a character set, comprising: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to receive encoded specifications for a character; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to interpret the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap to generate executable code containing a sequence of software instructions for displaying the character represented by the bitmap, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to store the generated executable code.

Claim 45

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for generating executable code for drawing characters in a character set, comprising: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to receive encoded specifications for a character; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to interpret the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap to generate executable code containing a sequence of software instructions for displaying the character represented by the bitmap, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to store the generated executable code.

Claim 46

The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap comprise: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap to generate source code; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to compile the source code to generate executable code.

Claim 47

The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap comprise: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls.

Claim 48

The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap comprise: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to selectively replace at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a function call for drawing a primitive.

Claim 49

The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls comprise: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to selectively replace at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a line-drawing function call.

Claim 50

The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls comprise: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to selectively replace at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a horizontal line-drawing function call; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to selectively replace at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a vertical line-drawing function call; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to selectively replace at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a diagonal line-drawing function call.

Claim 51

The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap comprise: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions selectively containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for drawing anti-aliased text.

Claim 52

The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to scan the bitmap comprise: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to determine the point size of the character; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to, responsive to the determined point size falling below a predefined threshold value, scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for drawing anti-aliased text; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to, responsive to the determined point size not falling below the predefined threshold value, scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls for drawing non-anti-aliased text.

Claim 53

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for displaying text on an output device, comprising: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to accept at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to determine the point size of the character set; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to, for each of a plurality of characters in the character set: receive encoded specifications for the character; responsive to the point size of the character set being smaller than a predetermined point size: interpret the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at increased resolution; and scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in anti-aliased form; responsive to the point size of the character set not being smaller than the predetermined point size: interpret the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at standard resolution; scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in non-anti-aliased form; and selectively replace at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a line-drawing function call; and compile the source code to generate executable code, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to store the generated executable code; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to selectively execute the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 54

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for displaying text on an output device, comprising: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to accept at least one character set comprising characters having characteristics; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to determine the point size of the character set; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to, for each of a plurality of characters in the character set: receive encoded specifications for the character; responsive to the point size of the character set being smaller than a predetermined point size: interpret the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at increased resolution; and scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing variable-intensity pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in anti-aliased form; responsive to the point size of the character set not being smaller than the predetermined point size: interpret the encoded specifications to draw the character as a bitmap at standard resolution; scan the bitmap to generate a plurality of software instructions containing pixel-drawing function calls for displaying the character represented by the bitmap in non-anti-aliased form; and selectively replace at least two pixel-drawing function calls with a line-drawing function call; and compile the source code to generate executable code, the generated executable code being directly executable without compilation; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to store the generated executable code; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to selectively execute the stored executable code to display characters on the output device.

Claim 55

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for displaying text on an output device, comprising: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to provide executable code for rendering at least one character in a character set comprising a plurality of characters, each character having characteristics, the executable code being directly executable without compilation; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to identify for display one of the characters in the character set; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to determine characteristics for display of the identified character; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to execute the executable code using the determined characteristics to display the identified character on an output device.

Claim 56

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for displaying text on an output device, comprising: computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to provide executable code for rendering at least one character in a character set comprising a plurality of characters, each character having characteristics, the executable code being directly executable without compilation; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to identify for display one of the characters in the character set; computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to determine characteristics for display of the identified character; and computer-readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to execute the executable code using the determined characteristics to display the identified character on an output device.