Abstract: The principles of the present invention relate to using externally parameterizeable constraints in a font-hinting language to synthesize font variants. A computing system accesses a scaled font that has been scaled for rendering at a target size and a target resolution. The scaled font includes hints that constrain how glyphs of the scaled font are to be rendered at the target size and target resolution. The computing system accesses one or more external font parameters that alter how the glyphs of the scaled font are to be rendered. The computing system applies the one or more external font parameters to the scaled font to synthesize a font variant such that hints from the scaled font are preserved in the font variant. The computing system can render glyphs of the font variant that comply with the one or more external font parameters and the hints.

Abstract: An example design information disclosure system includes a design information managing system for storing design information produced on the basis of a given format, a terminal system, connected to a communication network, having a terminal with an electronic mail function, and a design information disclosing system connected to the communication network. The disclosing system has a format converter and a storage to establish a TIFF file. The format converter receives design information at a predetermined timing when the design information is made to be stored into the design information storing system and converts the received design information into a format displayable on the terminal. The TIFF file is used to store the format-converted design information as terminal-use design information. The terminal system is configured to display on the terminal the terminal-use design information through the electronic mail function.

Abstract: A system and method for rendering fonts into a memory is disclosed. The system and method comprises a data structure located within the memory. The data structure includes at least one font array. The method and system includes a graphics controller for accessing at least one font array in the memory and for rendering characters of at least one font array into the appropriate locations in the memory to be scanned onto a monitor. Accordingly, a system and method in accordance with the present invention provides for a plurality of font arrays to be provided within a memory of a computer system. The memory could be the frame buffer, system memory or any other memory within the computer system. The graphics controller includes a mechanism which allows for a font array to be accessed by the graphics controller. The graphics controller also includes a mechanism for allowing each font character to be rendered into the memory. In so doing, the number of transfers from the CPU is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A program which can dynamically and realistically express an impact which a game character rendered by motion data receives is provided. In bullet ball-related processing (S114), determination is made about whether a bullet ball hits either one of node assigned balls. When the determination is affirmative, a torque at a hit point is calculated as an impact magnitude and the node assigned balls are disposed, through calculation of a rotation angle per frame, to nodes whose coordinate positions are corrected in metaball update processing (S120), density is calculated for each vertex of voxels from a reference position of each metaball towards the minimum direction and the maximum direction of a voxel index of the voxels according to a calculation equation expressing a solid shape in density distribution processing (S122), and vertex coordinates of polygons are calculated based upon density of each metaball at the vertex coordinates of the voxels and a predetermined threshold in marching cube processing (S124).

Abstract: A method generates a two-dimensional distance field from a pen stroke. A pen state is sampled during the pen stroke to generate an ordered list of pen states along the pen stroke. The pen state includes a location of the pen stroke. A set of boundary descriptors is generated from the ordered list of pen states. The two-dimensional distance field is generated from the set of boundary descriptors.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alphabetic character input device which includes a key input section composed of a first key group having input keys mapped with first half patterns of certain alphabetic characters which are divided into a pair of half patterns and a second key group having input keys mapped with second half patterns of said certain alphabetic characters, the other undivided alphabetic characters being mapped on the input keys of either the first key group or the second key group; a memory for storing a table that maps the input keys of the first and second key groups with the first and second half patterns of said certain alphabetic characters and said other alphabetic characters; and a control section that recognizes a key mapped with the alphabetic character is pressed and combines a first half pattern with a second half pattern when keys mapped with first second half patterns are pressed in sequence, thereby recognizing the combined patterns as a single alphabetic character.

Abstract: A method and system for compressing bitmap data in a system for sharing an application running on a host computer with a remote computer, wherein the shared application's screen output is simultaneously displayed on both computers. Simultaneous display of screen output is achieved by efficiently transmitting display data between the host computer and the remote computer. When a font used by the host computer for displaying text is not available on the remote computer, the host computer sends a bitmap representation of the text for display, rather than the text itself. Bitmap representations are cached by the remote computer, so that the same bitmap representation need not be repeatedly transmitted from the host computer to the remote computer. Bitmap representations are compressed by the host computer prior to transmission, transmitted, then decompressed by the computer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, method and computer program product for compressing and/or displaying digital data. The system includes a storage medium for storing a plurality of instruction sequences representing displayable characters, a display for displaying these characters, and a receiver for receiving at least a first code symbol being assigned to the first one of the instruction sequences. The first instruction sequence represents the first character displayable in a bitmap, wherein first instruction sequence defines a line pattern. Decomposing, storing and restoring a Chinese character, e.g., into a line pattern is advantageous as being memory saving and fast. The invention is particularly applicable for mobile phones having restricted memory space.

Abstract: A user gives, as input, two curves at a start time and at an end time and reference correspondence points with respect to the respective curves. Then, a pursuit operation of pursuing a reference correspondence point is carried out with respect to picture images successive in the time axis direction. As a result, positions of reference correspondence points at respective intermediate stages can be determined. Then, interpolation of the shape is carried out. Then, the determined interpolated shape is deformed in correspondence with the determined reference correspondence point. Accordingly, even in the case where a contour shape does not linearly move, it is possible to precisely pursue correspondence points on the contour. Thus, a contour shape with higher precision can be prepared.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a font-hinting system is configured to select a first TrueType font that has been hinted with hints that define constraints between control points associated with individual characters of the font. Individual characters of a second TrueType font that correspond to individual characters of the first TrueType font are identified. The second TrueType font is different from the first TrueType font and individual characters of the second TrueType font are unhinted. Hints are transferred from characters of the first TrueType font to individual corresponding characters of the second TrueType font, and a hint is discarded where it appears inappropriate for a character of the second TrueType font. Further, the system maintains indicia of a discarded hint to indicate where a hint has been discarded.

Abstract: A method and system of operating a remote terminal by a terminal server caches representation data of glyphs to be displayed on the remote terminal to reduce the amount of glyph data that have to be transmitted to the remote terminal through a network connection. The glyph caching is performed on a level of text fragments each of which includes a plurality of glyphs. The remote terminal stores a fragment cache for caching fragments and glyph caches for caching individual glyphs. Each entry in the fragment cache contains data indicating where the glyph data for the glyphs of the fragment are stored in the glyph caches. When the terminal server receives a request to display a text fragment on the remote terminal, it checks whether that fragment is cached at the remote terminal. If so, the terminal server sends a fragment index to the client identifying the entry in the fragment cache for that fragment.

Abstract: Data tables that are required for the proper processing of font glyphs are automatically synthesized if they do not form part of an original font definition. The synthesized tables are stored in an annex file that is associated with the font, rather than being incorporated into the font definition. As a result, the integrity of the original font data is maintained, and does not adversely affect font protection systems that are based upon font data.

Abstract: In a method of text improvement, image text in an image is detected (SW, Det), the image is scaled (Scal) to adjust first numbers of pixels per line and lines per image of the image to second numbers of pixels per line and lines per image that fit in with a display (D) on which the image is to be displayed, and the image is processed (Post-proc) in dependence on a result of the text detection.

Abstract: A system and method for use with a computer having a memory for drawing a picture on a display of the computer which comprises a plurality of geometric parts stored as fonts in the memory, each font having a code number, the geometric part fonts, and a finished picture assembled by the picture parts whereby the encoded parts and the finished pictures can be stored in the memory systematically, exchangeably and removably by coded numbers.

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 method generates a two-dimensional distance field within a cell associated with a corner of a two-dimensional object. A set of boundary descriptors for the two-dimensional object is determined. A corner point in the cell is identified from the set of boundary descriptors. The corner point represents the corner of the object. The corner point partitions the set of boundary descriptors into two subsets. The cell is partitioned into two regions where one region is closest to the corner point and the other region is closest to the set of boundary descriptors. Two lines passing through the corner point are determined such that each line corresponds to one of the two subsets of boundary descriptors. These lines delimit the two regions. A set of values and a method using the two regions are specified for reconstructing the distance field within the cell.

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: The movement of an object due to the continuous pushing of a simple ON/OFF switch is made an easier-to-use interface for users by a method of moving an object displayed on a screen of a TV monitor of a computer having a controller which has a pressure-sensitive unit. In the method, the pushing by a user on the controller is sensed by the pressure-sensitive unit, a pressure-sensing output signal is determined depending on the pushing pressure, and the object is moved within the screen of the TV monitor depending on the magnitude of the pressure-sensing output signal of the controller.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display section having plural display elements for displaying a display object with N (natural number larger than one) display elements per pixel, and a display control section, communicably connected to the display section, for controlling the displaying state of the display section in terms of color factors of the respective display elements in such a manner that the display object is displayed with each of the display elements corresponding to one or more pixels on the display object. It is possible to display a small letter, serving high visibility.

Abstract: A character that includes a character element is represented and/or displayed by receiving a character element code that specifies the character element and skeleton point data that represent a position of the character element, providing a character element generating function corresponding to the character element code, and generating the shape of the character element using the character element generating function with the skeleton point data as arguments therefor.

Abstract: A font generation apparatus includes: a basic font storage section storing a font character of a basic font for generating a font character; a feature parameter storage section storing a feature parameter expressing a feature of the font character; a genetic algorithm processing section generating plural new feature parameters by performing genetic algorithm processing on the feature parameter; a font generation section generating new font characters by deforming the font character of the basic font based on the plural generated feature parameters; and a display unit displaying the generated new font characters. The genetic algorithm processing section determines the feature parameter according to the preferences of a user based on a font character selected by the user from among the new font characters displayed on the display unit. The font generation section creates a font based on the determined feature parameter according to the preferences of the user.

Abstract: An on-screen display device that can effectively utilize a video RAM area. This on-screen display device includes a video RAM that holds character data of desired characters that are to be displayed; a display character setting unit for locating the number of bits as many as the remainder that is obtained by dividing character data corresponding to one character by the number of bits that can be read at one-time access from the video RAM, collectively by one line in the video RAM; buffers for storing a part of character data of the respective characters; a character generator ROM for outputting font data corresponding to the character codes; and a display control unit for reading character data from the video RAM via the buffers at the display of the characters, and reading the font data that are created by the character generator ROM, thereby outputting an on-screen output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating three-dimensional text 1403 within images 1601 composited in real time, by means of generating three-dimensional text 1403 from one or a plurality of text formatting templates 303. Storage means 204 stores said text formatting templates 303 and instructions 302 for processing means 201, 202. Said instructions 302 configure said processing means 201, 202 to define (404) a text formatting template 512. Said instructions 302 further configure said processing means 201, 202 to equip (405) said defined text formatting template 512 with three-dimensional preferences with which to format text 1402 to be included in said template and subsequently equip (407) said defined text formatting template 512 with said text 1402. Said instructions 302 finally configure said processing means 201,202 to render (408) said two-dimensional template 512 including said text 1403 formatted according to said three-dimensional preferences (1602).

Abstract: A method typesets a set of glyphs. A current glyph is selected from the set of glyphs and a current position of the current glyph is selected. A next position of a next glyph is determined, where the next glyph is selected from the set of glyphs. The determination of the next position of the next glyph first represents the current glyph as a two-dimensional distance field and then determines the next position using the current position, an escapement of the current glyph, and an alignment of the two-dimensional distance field. The current glyph is then updated to be the next glyph and the current position is updated to be the next position. The selection of the next glyph and the determination of the next position continue until a termination condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Character display apparatus includes a display device and a control section. The control section controls the display device such that: a color element level of at least one first sub-pixel, which corresponds to a basic portion of a first character, is set to a predetermined color element level; and a color element level of a first vicinal sub-pixel located in the vicinity of the at least one first sub-pixel is set to a color element level different from the predetermined color element level, whereby the first character is displayed on a display plane, the basic portion of the first character is included in a first frame having a predetermined size, the at least one first sub-pixel is included in a first region on the display plane which corresponds to the first frame, and at least one of the at least one first vicinal sub-pixel is out of the first region.

Abstract: A character information processing apparatus outputs a character pattern corresponding to an input data. The character information processing apparatus includes a logic code acquiring unit which acquires a logic code based on the input data, a code converting unit which converts the logic code acquired by the logic code acquiring unit into a font number and a character code, and an output unit which outputs a character pattern depending on the character code, by use of a font file corresponding to the font number obtained by the code converting unit.

Abstract: A character code converting system capable of lightening the burden imposed on the management of a code converting library and mapping information on the side of users and of easily and surely carrying out code conversion of character data including types of characters such as special characters and external characters between a plurality of different coding schemes. In the character code converting system, a code converting component carries out code conversion of character data, which are exchanged between processing programs operating on the respective platforms and an internal code converting module in a middleware, based on mapping information by an external code converting part, and processes the code-converted character data into a predetermined data format, which will be code-converted by the internal code converting module, by a data processing part. Thus, even if the internal code converting module in the middleware is operating, it is possible to equivalently transmit character data.

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: Methods and apparatus for composite font editing in a DTP system. A font file stores multiple different fonts. A composite font editor can select two or more different fonts to create a composite font. A composite font file stores the created composite font. The composite font editor can display a composite font dialog box on the screen of a display device. The composite font dialog box contains a sample window with sample text of the composite font. An icon is provided for controlling display/non-display of at least one reference line associated with the font of the sample text displayed in the sample window in response to a user input.

Abstract: The present invention provides effective information search means, and/or effective acquired information submission means, without overtly expressing an intent (e.g., through the depression of a search button) to acquire information. In an example embodiment, the kana-kanji conversion routine is activated, and a character string is input using voice, a keyboard or a graphic entry process. Then, a conversion key is depressed to convert the input character string into kanji. Upon the depression of the conversion key, the homonym candidate selection routine is initiated, and the conversion candidate is presented. In response to the depression of the conversion key, or the change of the conversion candidate in the homonym candidate selection routine, the information access routine is activated. Then, the information access procedure is performed, and the search results are acquired. Thereafter, the search results are presented.

Abstract: In a mobile communication terminal device that obtains data including text or an image from an external server through a digital network, a display displays display data DD generated based on data in a first storage unit. A plurality of display modes are predetermined in a display mode switching unit. When instructed by a user while the display data is displayed on the display, the display mode switching unit switches the display mode according to a predetermined order. A display data generator generates the display data DD according to the next display mode. The display displays the display data DD generated by the display data generator. It is thus possible to provide a mobile communication terminal device capable of displaying data while switching among a plurality of display modes (character sets or image display forms) through simpler operation.

Abstract: The preferred method transforms a set of closed curves, such as a typeface, font, or character. The method projects a pattern of continuous curves over the closed curves (502). The method then determines a set of intersection points of the closed curves and continuous curves (506). Cross-over points are then determined from the set of intersection points (508). Closed loops are then assembled from the cross-over points to form the transformed typeface, font or character (510).

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for providing a variable character size in an on-screen display application. The system includes logic means and a font memory means adapted to store a plurality of bitmaps corresponding to a plurality of characters. A mapping memory means is adapted to map the plurality of characters into the plurality of bitmaps. And a display means is adapted to display the plurality of bitmaps responsive to the logic means. The mapping memory comprises a width and a height associated with each of the plurality of characters. The mapping memory comprises a pointing means adapted to store an address associated with each of the plurality of bitmaps.

Abstract: There is provided a character-string information output apparatus that can avoid any confusion due to a difference between character string commands, and that can improve its expandability. An image writing apparatus analyzes commands identical in information content to character string information to which an input instruction has been issued. The analyzed support commands are all written onto a nonvolatile memory through a card drive. On the other hand, an electrophotographic image processing apparatus searches a DPOF file on the nonvolatile memory for all commands through a card read drive. From among the searched commands, a command that the electrophotographic image processing apparatus can support is extracted as a target command for the electrophotographic image processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method for determining the growing degree units (GDUs) accumulated at a particular farm site throughout the growing season, the amount that such accumulation is above or below the average historical GDU accumulation that occurred at the farm site, and a GDU meter for obtaining and displaying such information. The GDU meter measures and stores the temperatures that occur at a farm site throughout every 24-hour period of the growing season and calculates and stores the accumulated GDUs that impinge on the site year to date. The GDU meter compares the GDUs accumulated year to date (year to date GDUs) to the average GDUs accumulated in previous years at the same site (historical GDUs) and calculates how much the year to date GDUs are above or below the historical GDUs. The GDU meter of the present invention displays year to date GDUs and the amount that it is above or below the historical GDUs. Optionally, the GDU meter of the present invention displays the date, time, and temperature.

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: The present invention provides a method for hierarchically decomposing a visual or audio object within an animation into plurality of objects which can be individually edited to achieve particular animation effects. For example, a graphical object may be decomposed into a plurality of graphical sub-objects, each of which is inherits an anchor point from the original object, or is given an original anchor point distinct from the original object. Each sub-object also includes a relative position for the sub-object relative to the anchor point. The path of the anchor point is combined with relative positions of the sub-objects to produce an animation for the object as a whole. This decomposition technique can greatly increase computational efficiency of an animation. It also provides for inheritance of attributes between objects and descendent sub-objects. The objects may support functions, or behaviors, such as morphing or motion blurring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of orientating a space curve having two endpoints. The method comprises selecting a desired direction and then generating a first vector having a direction which is same as the selected desired direction. At least one second vector is then generated, each said second vector having a corresponding direction indicative of a corresponding characteristic of the space curve. The first and second vectors are compared so as to determine a direction of the space curve, wherein the determined direction of the space curve is along the curve from the first endpoint to the second endpoint and which is closest to the selected desired direction. The direction of the space curve is then oriented in accordance with the determined direction.

Abstract: A server machine receives an input string of characters from a client machine, and the string includes at least one abbreviated substring preceded and followed by word delimiters. Each abbreviated substring represents an expanded substring. The server machine automatically finds one of the abbreviated substrings based on the preceding and following word delimiters, determines that it is one of a set of abbreviated substrings, and produces an expanded version of the string of characters with the abbreviated substring replaced by its expanded substring. The case of the beginning character of the expanded substring can be the same as that of the abbreviated substring. The expanded substring can depend on time, such as the current time.

Abstract: The invention provides a font processing device. In font enlargement, a target font to be enlarged or reduced is divided into columns or rows, and a cost is calculated based on the pixel pattern formation for each column and row. In enlargement processing, a cost represents a line segment volume, and a column or a row that has low-cost, that is, has a pixel array close to a line segment, is difficult to be enlarged. Further, in reduction processing, a cost represents a degree of likeness to an adjacent column or row, and a column or a row that has a similar pixel pattern is reduced with priority. In practice, the column or row for the target font is decided based on the pixel formation of the target font for enlargement or reduction so that natural enlargement/reduction can be obtained. In addition, font modification is executed by using enlargement and reduction of the font.

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: A system and method are disclosed for a Java X font server, capable of displaying high quality text images on a remote display over a network based on the X Window graphical interface. This system and method avoids reliance on the rasterizer in the X server. The Java X font server runs in the client computer and creates the glyphs corresponding to the text to be displayed, using the high performance font rasterizer within the JVM. When the client needs to display text, it makes a request of the X server. If the necessary glyphs are not locally available in the X server, the request is relayed to the Java X font server. The Java X font server then generates the glyphs and transmits them to the X server, where they are cached for subsequent use.

Abstract: A character background color is rendered based on a text command. In such case, if all text commands are rendered as text objects, the obtained background color does not often match other background colors rendered as graphics objects. Upon processing a text command, the background of a character string to be rendered is rendered as a graphics object, and the character string to be rendered is rendered as a text object.

Abstract: A novel and unique method and program for producing a photograph of a celebrity figure with personalized and autographed messages. The method includes the steps of collecting signatures and photographs of celebrity figures, generating corresponding special character font sets for the celebrity figures respectively from their writing samples, and creating executable computer software programs and databases containing the signatures and photographs of celebrity figures and the special character font sets of the celebrity figures for producing a selected photograph of a celebrity figure chosen by a user with an autographed personal text message. The autographed text message is written in the respective character font set generated from the handwriting samples of the celebrity figure and therefore closely resembles the handwriting of the celebrity figure.

Abstract: A Font Quantization Engine receives layout data including font, font matrix, glyphs and position data. This received position data includes non-integer positions for the glyphs to be rendered. According to a tolerance that is either pre-specified, or selected at run time an appropriate quantization level is determined by the Font Quantization Engine. This quantization level and the fractional position data is then used to determine quantized positions for the glyphs. Once the quantized positions are determined, a rendering engine either renders the bitmaps for the glyphs, or retrieves cached versions of the bitmaps. In this manner, glyphs are positioned at non-integer locations, yet a different bitmap is not required for each possible non-integer location. This allows for both efficiency of operation and the use of higher quality bitmaps.

Abstract: A method for examining font files for corruption involves an font manager communicating with a remote font server which stores uncorrupted font files. A portion of the font file to be checked for corruption may be compared with the uncorrupted font file to determine whether the file is corrupted. If the file is corrupted, an uncorrupted font file may be downloaded to the font manager to replace a portion of the corrupted font file containing the actual font file as opposed to a portion of the font file which may include other information such as kerning information.

Abstract: A method of creating a series of font characters (101) on a computer system (150) is disclosed. A series of font outlines (111) and source artwork (112); a series of manipulation tools (116) for the manipulation of aspects of the outlines and artwork. Such an arrangement provides for the creation of substantially arbitrarily complex font structures from the outlines, artwork and manipulation tools. A series of font characters is then formed through the application of the complex font structures to each of a base font outline in the series of font characters. Preferably, the complex font structures can comprise a graphical expression tree of operations (120) to be performed in the creation of a font and the tree includes an outline of a font character. The manipulation tools can include tools for distorting, replacing or compositing the outline of a font and can further include the tools for the application of morphological and non-morphological effects to the font outlines.

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: The present invention displays text within a region by identifying text boxes within the region. To identify the text boxes, the invention uses scan lines that are spaced at intervals that are smaller than the text height of the text to be placed in the boxes. These scan lines are combined to identify the full text boxes. Additionally, under the invention, a region is transformed before text boxes are generated for the region. The transform is an inverse of a text transform that is applied to the text placed in the region. This allows rotated and skewed text to be placed in the region. The invention also facilitates displaying a single text string across several disjointed regions.