Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, system, and article of manufacture for indicating available modifications to a geometric object in a computer drawing program. A three-dimensional geometric object is displayed in a computer drawing program. Additionally, an oriented three-dimensional glyph is displayed. The oriented three-dimensional glyph provides a direct visual indication of valid movement direction during direct manipulation of the three-dimensional geometric object.

Abstract: A method generates a distance field for a region of a shape descriptor representing an object. The distance field includes a set of cells for which cell types are defined. A configuration of a set of cells for the region is generated. Each cell of the configuration includes a cell type and a method for reconstructing the distance field within the cell. The configuration of the set of cells is modified until an optimal configuration is reached. The modification is based on the shape descriptor, the region, and the set of cell types. The optimal configuration of the set of cells is stored in a memory to generate the distance field for the region. Another method generates a two-dimensional distance field within a cell associated with a two-dimensional object. A set of boundary descriptors for the two-dimensional object is determined and partitioned into a set of segments. The segments are delimited by a set of features of the boundary descriptors.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a curve in a region, e.g., a Low Discrepancy Curve. The method may generate an unbounded Low Discrepancy Point (LDP); apply one or more boundary conditions to the unbounded LDP to generate a bounded LDP located within the region; repeat said generating and said applying one or more boundary conditions one or more times, generating a Low Discrepancy Sequence (LDS) in the region; store the LDS; and generate output comprising the LDS, wherein the LDS defines the curve in the region. The method may scan the region according to the defined curve. In generating the unbounded LDP, the method may select two or more irrational numbers, a step size epsilon (?), and a starting position; initialize a current position to the starting position; and increment components of the current position based on ? and the irrational numbers to generate the unbounded LDP.

Abstract: A method converts a two-dimensional object to a two-dimensional distance field. The object is represented as a set of boundary descriptors and a fill rule. The set of boundary descriptors is preprocessed and a spatial hierarchy is constructed from the preprocessed set of boundary descriptors. A cache of intersections is initialized. The spatial hierarchy is queried at a set of locations to determine a set of distances at the locations. The query invokes a distance function at each location to determine an unsigned distance. A sign of the unsigned distance is determined from the cache of intersections, the location, and the fill rule. The set of distances is used to construct the two-dimensional distance field.

Abstract: A computer method, apparatus and storage medium is provided for creating quantitative aesthetic graphics from data. The invention utilizes a graph algebra to construct graphs and visually or otherwise represents the graphs as a quantitative aesthetic graphic representation. To create the quantitative aesthetic graphics from data, the data is indexed to form a data set. Thereafter, the data is converted into a variable data structure composed of an index set, a range and a function. The variable data structure is converted into a variable set by using at least one of a blend step, a cross step and a nest step. The variable set is mapped into a set of points and the set of points is mapped into an aesthetic representation.

Abstract: Vector quantization provides font contour data reduction. Characters are defined in a font collection using segmented outline forms and common references stored to curve segments for similar segments in different characters of the font collection. Compressing the font collection preferably includes applying an entropy encoding data reduction. The common references are stored in a segment storage location. Another aspect includes decompressing a font store containing a compressed collection of outline fonts. The uncompressed curve segments are scaled so as to match a requested size for a letterform.

Abstract: Flexible framework within a CAD application program is described that serves as a neutral format for feature information relating to modeling data for a solid body. The framework is hierarchical in nature to allow for ease of use and universal access to the design data. The hierarchical framework is independent of the underlying feature information as well as independent of the underlying CAD program.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a personalized font allow a user to write characters as they should appear when used within a word processing document. A sheet having a grid is printed. The grid includes a blank space and an indication of the character that should be written in the blank space. The user writes in the characters on the sheet and then scans the sheet to digitize the characters. A computer system then analyzes the scan to extract each character as written and associate the extracted character with the appropriate character of a character set. The digitized and associated character data is then saved as a font that may be used by word processing programs.

Abstract: A character display device and method therefor are adapted to obtain a proximal reference point of each character comprising a character series and calculate display coordinates of each character from said proximal reference point and the display angle and display reference position of the character series.

Abstract: The invention improves the appearance of freehand drawn lines and shapes in an electronic document by first recognizing freehand drawn lines and shapes and generating a line made up of sequential straight line segments for the freehand drawn line when the line does not form a closed line and generating a multiple straight-line-segment shape when the line forms a closed line. If a multiple segment shape is being reshaped, a basic shape is selected from reference ideal shapes as the basic shape of the multiple segment shape. The basic shape is adjusted to provide a specific shape as an improved shape for the freehand drawn shape. The recognition of the freehand drawn lines and shapes is accomplished by comparing source segments of a source freehand drawn line to a straight line and substituting a straight line segment for a source segment if the deviation between the source segment and the straight line is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A character generator and its method are suitably applied to such a video title generator for adding title images to a video program. Specifically, the character generator according to the present invention analyzes the form of characters inputted by an operator through a keyboard, and generates a polygon model matching the inputted characters so that the inputted characters look a three-dimensional image. The generated polygon model is subjected to rendering processing and displayed on a computer display. The polygon model displayed on the display can be changed in real time by using three-dimensional parameter and so on, for a shadow or perspective, which is set by the operator on the GUI screen. Thereby, the three-dimensional character generated by transforming the inputted character into the three-dimensional form can be generated with simple constructions and operations and in real time.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of performing a font operation involves receiving a set of font data identifying a font operation to be performed. If a first font data unit in the set indicates that a first coordinate should be a background color and transparent background is enabled, the method involves outputting an enable for a second font data unit in the set. The second font data unit indicates that a second coordinate should be a foreground color. The enable for the second coordinate is output instead of a disable for the first coordinate. If instead the first font data unit in the set indicates that the first coordinate should be a background color and transparent background is disabled, the method may involve outputting a disable for the first coordinate.

Abstract: The kerning of text modified in various ways is disclosed. The text can be modified by distortion or perturbation. In one way no unmodified text character pair kerning distance is stored. The kerning distance (x) is calculated as typesetting proceeds. In another way, an unmodified text character pair kerning distance (k1) is used but modified by the amplitude of the text perturbing functions.

Abstract: An animation data generation apparatus that supplies a state where a character string can be read in a part of 3D character animation generated based on functions. The apparatus includes an interface unit for setting characters which are used for animation, time allocation between 3D character animations in a moving standstill state, and the type of the animation in the moving state. The apparatus also includes a calculation unit for calculating the number of frames corresponding to animation based on the time allocation, and a generation unit for generating animation data in the standstill state so that 3D characters corresponding to the set characters can be read, and for generating data of the 3D character animation in a moving state so as to link to the data of the animation in the standstill state by using the number of calculated frames and a function corresponding to the set animation.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for positioning characters within an arbitrarily sized graphics window in order to maximize the distribution of unused space. The method and system are particularly adapted for the redistribution of characters produced during a terminal emulation session with another computing system. Characters produced during the emulated session are adjusted to completely fill the graphics window, regardless of its size. A fill justification procedure distributes characters in areas within the graphics window that would otherwise appear as gutters or margins. A character spacing unit maintains correct character image proportions in the graphics window while not rigidly adhering to a uniform alignment of character rows and columns. A linear distribution procedure allows the character image to fill the graphics window completely with a natural appearance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus and method that enables extraction of line segments of an arbitrary width from multi-valued images not uniform in background. To extract line segment data constituting a line segment, image data is scanned using a line segment basic element to extract line segment data from the image data. In other words, pixel data included in the line segment basic element is used as one unit and it is judged for each unit whether the pixel data corresponds to line segment data. Thereby, even if the densities of pixel data corresponding to, e.g., backgrounds are not uniform, by judging the line segment basic element as one unit, line segment data of a line segment width to be extracted can be extracted free of the influence of the densities being not uniform.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a glyph in which a plurality of design characteristics are extracted from a target font and a source glyph program is generated using the design characteristics. The source glyph program defines a new glyph that corresponds to a character that is not present in the target font, e.g., the Euro, and is stylistically similar to glyph of the target font. The new glyph may be added to the target font, it may be rendered on an output device, or it may be saved separately from the target font.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically hinting fonts, particularly TrueType fonts, by transferring hints from one font to another are described. In one embodiment, a character or glyph (i.e. a source character) from a first font is selected and provides hints that are to be transferred to a character or glyph of a second font (i.e. a target character). The hints comprise statements defined in terms of control points or knots that define the shape or appearance of a character. A match is found between individual control points on the different characters and then used as the basis for transferring the hints. In one embodiment, hints are transferred by modifying values in a control value table (CVT) that contains entries that are used to constrain the control points of the source character. The CVT values are modified so that they now constrain corresponding control points in the target character.

Abstract: The process for coding characters and associated display attributes in a video system consists in: coding a first cue of character type in a first word; coding a second cue of display attribute type, a so-called parallel attribute, defining the color or aspect associated with a character, in a second word, comprising at least one selection bit whose value indicates whether the parallel display attribute transmitted is a color attribute or a shape attribute; storing the value of the said parallel display attribute; using, for display of the current character, the color attribute, respectively the shape attribute, transmitted at the same time as the current character, or by default, the color attribute, respectively the shape attribute, stored during transmission of a previous character.

Abstract: A system for typographic glyph construction includes a graphics system, a glyph server coupled to the graphics system, and an operating system coupled to the glyph server. An apparatus for typographic glyph construction of input text in a graphics system running on a computer system and output on an output device of the computer system includes a line layout core unit, a glyph cache unit coupled to the line layout core unit, an open font architecture services unit coupled to the glyph cache unit, at least one scaler unit coupled to the open font architecture unit, a font object management unit coupled to the at least one font scaler, and an attribute group support unit supporting a data structure for communication among the units of the apparatus.

Abstract: A decoding system which is arranged to perform a plural-stage process in determining which of the driver lines to stimulate in response to each electrode address value supplied to the decoder. This enables the network configuration of the impedances to be machine generated, and also enables the decoder to calculate on the fly which driver lines to stimulate in response to each address value. Furthermore, different resolutions may be provided to enable groups of the electrodes to be addressed simultaneously. Such a decoder arrangement may also be used with an electrode arrangement in which each electrode is connected to only two of the driver lines, in order to achieve addressing schemes in which up to t consecutive electrodes can be driven simultaneously. The invention is applicable, for example, to liquid crystal displays, arrays of memory elements and arrays of sensors such as light-sensors.

Abstract: A general-purpose system for enabling the user to easily enter characters whose contents are hard to understand at a glance, such as bar codes, by using a general-purpose application program such as a wordprocessor is provided. For this purpose, a printer driver comprising a font file storing a display font and a bar code record font corresponding to the display font and a conversion function of converting display font codes into record font codes is provided. When a bar code is entered in an application program, a legible display font corresponding to the bar code can be used. On the other hand, when the bar code is printed, the printer driver compatible with a given printer converts the display font into a bar code record font and supplies the bar code record font. Thus, a high-accuracy bar code is printed in accordance with the standard.

Abstract: A television broadcasting device 1 transmits a television signal onto which control data for controlling a browser function of a television receiver 2 has been multiplexed. A television screen generating section 20 generates a television screen based on the received television signal. A browser display instruction obtaining section 71, a URL obtaining section 72, and a display style information obtaining section 73 extract the control data multiplexed onto the television signal. When a browser display instruction 111 is received, a microcomputer 51 receives a content 102 corresponding to a URL 112 from a server 3, and generates a browser screen based thereon. A screen combining section 30 combines the browser screen with the television screen in accordance with display style information 113 received from the microcomputer 51. Thus, it is possible to display the browser screen in a combined form with the television screen in accordance with a display style designated by a broadcaster of the television signal.

Abstract: A method renders a graphical object for display on a destination raster of pixels having a destination resolution by rendering the graphical object at a resolution higher than the destination resolution to generate one or more pieces, the pieces in the aggregate representing the graphical object at the higher resolution, and each of the pieces having a position with respect to the destination raster, whereby each piece overlaps one or more pixels; for each of the pieces, calculating a contribution made by the piece to each of one or more pixels according to a selected algorithm, the algorithm being selected by a process applying a plurality of factors; and aggregating all the contributions made to each pixel to determine a value for the pixel.

Abstract: The present invention provides for automatic placement of typographical features such as vertical stems or horizontal segments of a character on high contrast pixel sub-component boundaries as part of a rendering process that uses separately controllable pixel sub-components of pixels to represent different portions of the character. In order to identify the typographical features of the character that are to be aligned with high contrast pixel sub-component boundaries, topology of the character is analyzed at runtime. In display devices having vertical stripes of same-colored pixel sub-components, it has been found that character legibility is increased when the left edges of stems are aligned with high contrast boundaries between pixel sub-components. Processing time and resources are conserved by performing a partial, rather than a full, topological analysis of the character.

Abstract: A method for rendering a line segment extending in the positive-x direction and positive-y direction on a computer display given a starting point and an ending point, the starting point having the form (xs, ys) and the ending point having the form (xe, ye). In this method, &Dgr;x and &Dgr;y are computed using the formula &Dgr;x=|xe−xs| and &Dgr;y=|ye−ys|, respectively. Then dt(0)=(yf*&Dgr;x)−(xf*&Dgr;y) is computed, where xf is the fractional portion of xs and yf is the fractional portion of ys, which allows for more precision. If the line segment extends in the postive-x and positive-y directions, then for each column n containing a portion of said line segment the process: plots said current pixel if dt(n)<=0.5*&Dgr;x and plotting the pixel above said current pixel if dt(n)>0.5*&Dgr;x; moves said current pixel to the right one pixel if dt(n)<=0.5*&Dgr;x and moves said pixel to the right and up one pixel if dt(n)>0.

Abstract: Two curves indicating the border of an object in an image are simply edited and loops formed owing to edition of the curves indicating the border of an object in an image are detected and removed. A curve edition apparatus according to the present invention incorporates: converting units for converting two curves indicating positions of inner and outer boundaries of a border of an object included in an image to produce a dot sequence for each curve; a changing unit for changing the coordinates of each point by linking the dot sequence of each curve produced by the converting units; and restructuring units for restructuring the two curves from the coordinates of each point having the coordinates changed by the changing unit.

Abstract: An improved scan converter to support the efficient and accurate display of character outlines by pixel-oriented display devices. To conserve the finite resource of memory, the improved scan converter supports an efficient use of available memory workspace by accurately determining an upper bound for the amount of memory required to support scan conversion calculations. To achieve improvements in speed and character image quality, the improved scan converter renders the spline segments of a character outline by using a second order equation to calculate an implicit function based on the control points of each segment. The improved scan converter further addresses in a systematic manner the rendering of an endpoint located on a scan line to determine whether the pixel associated with the endpoint should be activated. This decision is based upon the direction of approach to and exit from this endpoint for the pair of segments connected to the endpoint.

Abstract: A thickening process of figure data (outline font data) is performed, an intersection where line segments on outlines cross is obtained, the outlines are separated at the intersection, the separated outline portions are synthesized, the rounding direction of the outlines after the outline synthesis is compared with the original rounding direction of the outlines, and the outlines in which the rounding directions are different from the original rounding direction are deleted. Thus, the outlines overlapped by the thickening process are correctly connected and the inside can be correctly painted.

Abstract: A computer method, apparatus and storage medium is provided for creating quantitative aesthetic graphics from data. The invention utilizes a graph algebra to construct graphs and visually or otherwise represents the graphs as a quantitative aesthetic graphic representation. To create the quantitative aesthetic graphics from data, the data is indexed to form a data set. Thereafter, the data is converted into a variable data structure composed of an index set, a range and a function. The variable data structure is converted into a variable set by using at least one of a blend step, a cross step and a nest step. The variable set is mapped into a set of points and the set of points is mapped into an aesthetic representation.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for positioning characters within an arbitrarily sized graphics window in order to maximize the distribution of unused space. The method and system are particularly adapted for the redistribution of characters produced during a terminal emulation session with another computing system. Characters produced during the emulated session are adjusted to completely fill the graphics window, regardless of its size. A fill justification procedure distributes characters in areas within the graphics window that would otherwise appear as gutters or margins. A character spacing unit maintains correct character image proportions in the graphics window while not rigidly adhering to a uniform alignment of character rows and columns. A linear distribution procedure allows the character image to fill the graphics window completely with a natural appearance.

Abstract: An undirected graph is generated based on a set of finite n-dimensional space curves. One or more traversal modulations are selected and a directed graph is created by traversing the edges of the undirected graph and determining a direction, either a forward direction or a reverse direction, for each edge in accordance with the selected traversal modulations. The method then re-orientates the set of finite n-dimensional space curves in accordance with the directed graph.

Abstract: In a communication apparatus, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 4 determines whether or not a message codeword included in a received message begins with a background picture display command. If a background picture display commands heads the message codeword, the CPU 4 reads a background picture designated by a symbol following the command out of a ROM (Read Only Memory) 7. If the message codeword includes a fixed sentence command, then the CPU 4 reads a fixed sentence designated by a symbol following the command out of a ROM 8. Each fixed sentence is associated a particular background picture stored in the ROM 7 and is displayed in a particular format in the background picture. As a result, each fixed sentence read out of the ROM 8 is displayed in a particular area on the basis of a background picture read out of the ROM 7. Further, when the message codeword includes a position command or a font command, the CPU 4 controls the position or the font of characters to be displayed in accordance with the command.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that process a front-end editable text file—a feature file—that specifies features for a font, and in particular to an OpenType™ font. The specified features are parsed and stored in the font as font data. The feature file contains simple logic statements for the specification of various typographical features, such as layout features, expressed in a high-level feature definition language. The feature file may contain override values for fields in font tables. The feature file can be processed in combination with an existing font file to establish an enhanced font file.

Abstract: A set diagram display control apparatus performs a set diagram display process. When the elements or number count of each of a plurality of sets is input to a set relation list, the element counts of all set relations are calculated in accordance with the elements or element counts of those sets. A display range of a set diagram is determined in accordance with the input or calculated element counts. The areas of circular diagrams which compose the set diagram are displaced in correspondence to their elements counts in the displayed range. And the displayed positions and radii of the circular diagrams are determined depending on the element count of the set diagram, in order to display the set diagram as composed of the circular diagrams.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for utilizing pixel sub-components which form a pixel element of an LCD display, e.g., as separate luminous intensity elements, are described. Each pixel of a color LCD display is comprised of three non-overlapping red, green and blue rectangular pixel sub-elements or sub-components. The invention takes advantage of the ability to control individual RGB pixel sub-elements to effectively increase a screen's resolution in the dimension perpendicular to the dimension in which the screen is striped, e.g., the RGB pixel sub-elements are arranged lengthwise. In order to utilize the effective resolution which can be obtained by treating RGB pixel sub-components separately, scaling or super sampling of digital representations of fonts is performed in one dimension at a rate that is greater than the scaling or sampling performed in the other dimension. In some embodiments where weighting is used in determining RGB pixel values, e.g.

Abstract: An external character creating method is provided for an image forming apparatus having a display screen. The external character creating method includes the steps of displaying at least a portion of image data in a specifying area on the display screen, displaying a dot-shaped cursor on the display screen, and creating an external character on the displayed image data using the cursor. The cursor is fixed at a position in the specifying area, so that the image data is scrolled in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction to create an external character.

Abstract: A character is represented in a character generator as a set of polygons. The character may be manipulated using three-dimensional animation techniques. A code for a character may be used to access a set of curves defining the outline of the character. This set of curves is transformed into a set of polygons. The set of polygons may be rendered as a three-dimensional object. The set of polygons may be created by converting the curves into sets of connected line segments and then tessellating the polygon defined by the line segments. Animation properties are represented using a normalized scale over time. Animation may be provided in a manner that is independent of the spatial and temporal resolution of the video to which it is applied. Such animation may be applied to characters defined by a set of polygons. A user interface for editing a character string may provide two alternate displays. A first display allows a user to input and view any desired portion of the character string for the purpose of editing.

Abstract: A character line address counter clock signal generator for generating a character line address counter clock signal for an on screen display (OSD) circuit used to selectively display a character image within an on screen display contained within a displayed screen image. The character image displayed within the OSD is maintained at a substantially constant image height regardless of the number of image lines contained within the overall displayed screen image. The character image lines for a base character image are displayed in accordance with a predetermined repetition sequence without requiring phase lock loop to generate a reduced character line address clock or requiring arithmetic computation to calculate each character line address.

Abstract: Image data processing and image rendering methods and systems whereby images are displayed on display devices having pixels with separately controllable pixel sub-components. Images, such as text characters, are displayed on a display device with at least some features being rendered with sub-pixel precision. The displayed advance width of a character displayed with sub-pixel precision is compatible with the advance width of the character if it had instead been displayed with a conventional full pixel precision rendering process. Thus, characters are displayed with sub-pixel precision, resulting in improved resolution and readability, while the advance width and the corresponding size and spacing of the characters and the overall formatting of the document remains the same compared to documents and characters rendered using conventional full pixel precision processes.

Abstract: Rendering glyphs using a layout services library. A layout services library provides a set of text-processing functions for use by a client program. The text-processing functions access font information stored in the font tables insulating the client program from the details of the font table formats. The layout services library may be used to identify glyph variants and to position glyphs along a base line for a run of text. To identify glyph variants, the layout services library scans the run of text to identify the locations of characters having alternative glyph forms. The layout services library creates a list of feature parameter structures, each of which contains a count of the number of glyph alternates that apply for each identified character. The client program assembles a list of identical characters which have different parameters and presents a list of all glyph variants to the user who chooses one of the alternatives.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for displaying an image by uttilizing pixel sub-components which form a pixel element of an LCD display as separate luminous intensity elements. By treating the pixel sub-components independently, increased resolution is achieved in the dimension that is perpendicular to the dimension in which the screen is striped. To take advantage of the increased resolution, the image is processed by first scaling the image data in one dimension at a rate that is greater than the scaling of the image data in another dimension. The pixel sub-components are then independently determined from different portions of the scaled image data though scan conversion, which may involve the use of different weights for each color component. Color distortions such as color fringing is compensated by treating eachi pixel sub-component independently. For horizontally flowing text, applications, screens with vertical striping are preferred.

Abstract: Morphing is performed without self-intersection in a vector space, for the outlines for various types and shapes of figures. The morphing is performed by apparatus containing an outline extractor, for receiving two target figures for the morphing process and for extracting a set of outlines for each of the target figures; an outline tree generator and an outline tree arrangement unit, for retaining one specific outline of each of the two sets of outlines and for deleting the other outlines; an outline editor, for performing a smoothing process for the two outlines for the target figures that are retained by the outline tree arrangement unit in order to prevent self-intersection during the morphing process; and a sequence generator and a morphing viewer, for performing the morphing process in response to the progress made by the smoothing process performed by the smoothing processor.

Abstract: Flexible framework within a CAD application program is described that serves as a neutral format for feature information relating to modeling data for a solid body. The framework is hierarchical in nature to allow for ease of use and universal access to the design data. The hierarchical framework is independent of the underlying feature information as well as independent of the underlying CAD program.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for positioning characters within an arbitrarily sized graphics window in order to maximize the distribution of unused space. The method and system are particularly adapted for the redistribution of characters produced during a terminal emulation session with another computing system. Characters produced during the emulated session are adjusted to completely fill the graphics window, regardless of its size. A fill justification procedure distributes characters in areas within the graphics window that would otherwise appear as gutters or margins. A character spacing unit maintains correct character image proportions in the graphics window while not rigidly adhering to a uniform alignment of character rows and columns. A linear distribution procedure allows the character image to fill the graphics window completely with a natural appearance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for creating high-level language hinting instructions through the use of a graphical user interface. The present invention enables a user to generate complex font programs without requiring knowledge or experience in font programming. Graphical commands are entered by a user while editing a glyph. The graphical commands are converted into functional data and stored within a data structure that represents the edited glyph. The functional data is then compiled or translated into high-level language hinting instructions that can later be compiled to machine code. Specifically, this aspect of the present invention relieves the user of having to specify the order of the hinting instructions. The present invention also provides a method to translate high-level language hinting instructions into functional data. The functional data can then be used to update the display of the edited glyph.

Abstract: A method for providing a beveling effect to a video polygon a second polygon is generated in a plane parallel to the first polygon. The second polygon is an expanded copy of the first polygon. Vertices of the first polygon are connected to corresponding vertices of the second polygon according to a predetermined beveling function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically setting the height of an on-screen display (OSD) font in a display device which supports a multi-resolution are provided. The apparatus for controlling the OSD font height includes a horizontal line number generator and a font height generator. The horizontal line number generator generates information on the number of horizontal lines of a display region of the display device. The font height generator receives a predetermined font height reference value and the horizontal line number information, obtains automatic font height, and generates the automatic font height. The font height reference number is preferably the number of OSD fonts to be displayed in a vertical direction in the display region.

Abstract: An information processing device includes an element deforming section for transfer-deforming at least one of divided plurality of elements of a graphic character; and an output section for alternately outputting first display data of the element after being transfer-deformed by the element deforming section and second display data of the element before being transfer-deformed by the element deforming section by switching the first display data and the second display data. According to the described arrangement, a dynamic image of the graphic character can be displayed on a screen in such a manner that only a portion as desired of the element which constitutes the graphic character can be displayed on the screen. As a result, a dynamic image of the character or drawing can be displayed in a manner as desired by the user with ease without requiring a complicated process.

Abstract: When a character image composed of strokes is generated, character generation is performed at high speed by simplifying strokes for which the processing of the stroke contours can be executed in simple fashion. In other words, if a stroke has a substantially linear shape parallel to a coordinate axis, the contour of the stroke will have sides parallel to the coordinate axis and can therefore be generated in a simple manner. In another aspect of the invention, character generation is performed at high speed by generating the image of a stroke in such a manner that dots of the stroke in the longitudinal direction thereof are stored at memory locations having successive addresses. That is, memory cells having successive addresses usually are allocated along the direction of the scanning lines. Accordingly, when necessary a stroke is rotated in such a manner that the longitudinal direction thereof becomes parallel to the raster lines, thereby producing a stroke.