Abstract: A system and method for implementing a user interface for use with Japanese characters includes a font-encoder compiler on a host computer for encoding selected text strings and creating custom fonts, and further includes an electronic device which contains a standard font and a font manager. The font manager selectively accesses the standard font and the custom fonts to display the encoded text strings on the user interface of the electronic device. Specific characters may be selected by entering a hierarchical text edit dialog, choosing a character category, selecting an articulation group and then choosing a specific character from the selected articulation group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving glyph data, specifying glyphs according to a pixel map, and for automatically compiling the glyph data to form compiled glyph code for imaging the specified glyphs in an imaging system. The compiled glyph code uses instructions from the instruction set of the imaging system and hence the compiled glyph code directly interfaces with display devices in the imaging system to image the glyphs.

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: A scheme for detecting telop character displaying frames in video image which is capable of suppressing erroneous detection of frames without telop characters due to instability of image features is disclosed. In this scheme, each input frame constituting the video data is entered, and whether each input frame is a telop character displaying frame in which telop characters are displayed or not is judged, according to edge pairs detected from each input frame by detecting each two adjacent edge pixels for which intensity gradient directions are opposite on some scanning line used in judging an intensity gradient direction at each edge pixel and for which an intensity difference between said two adjacent edge pixels is within a prescribed range as one edge pair, edge pixels being pixels at which an intensity value locally changes by at least a prescribed amount with respect to a neighboring pixel among a plurality of pixels constituting each input frame.

Abstract: A method and system for providing multiple typographic glyph data items to a requesting client from a font scaler sub-system. The method and system includes accepting a request from the client that describes multiple glyphs and a destination memory in which to store the glyphs. From the request, a transaction message is formed and transmitted to a scaler server using an application program interface. The scaler server then generates the multiple glyph data items from the descriptions of the multiple glyphs, and stores the glyph data items directly into the destination memory.

Abstract: Techniques for accessing oversampled sub-pixels, also referred to as “source sub-pixels”, such that the blocks of source sub-pixels to be accessed are shifted to account for a left side bearing remainder in the final display of the character. The source sub-pixels are accessed, efficiently, in blocks (or chunks) corresponding to the over-sampling rate.

Abstract: A character display device comprises a memory for storing OSD character data and wallpaper (background) character data, and shift registers for outputting the corresponding one of those character data stored in the memory in accordance with a command to display either one of the OSD character data or one of the wallpaper character data, wherein the character display device combines the OSD character data and the wallpaper character data by use of a mixer, when the timing for displaying the OSD character data and that for displaying the wallpaper character data coincide with each other, so that both character data can be displayed in a superimposed manner.

Abstract: The resolution of text rendered on a display device having sub-pixel elements, such as an RGB LCD for example, and in particular, on a display device having horizontal striping is enhanced by (i) overscaling (or oversampling) character outline information in the vertical (or Y) direction, and (ii) filtering displaced information from the overscaled (or oversampled) character outline information. Metrics associated with character outline information may be appropriately adjusted. The vertical (or Y) position of the baseline of adjacent characters may be constrained by forcing the first pixel above the baseline to be composed of a full number N of scan conversion source samples, where N corresponds to an overscaling (or oversampling) factor. Groups of scan conversion source samples may be converted into packed pixel index values. Color values may be selectively filtered when the differences in the intensity of adjacent sub-pixel elements would otherwise be irritating to view.

Abstract: The present inventions relates to an apparatus and method for inputting Chinese characters, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for inputting a Chinese character by generating the Chinese character designated by the inputted radical key and the combination key from a memory mean.

Abstract: The discriminability of character data that is displayed on a screen is improved by performing a color conversion on the character data. More specifically, a color conversion system is provided which comprises: extraction means for extracting character data including color data; conversion means for converting the extracted color data based on a predetermined color conversion rule; and output means for outputting the character data and the obtained color data to the application. The color conversion rule for this invention is set in advance so as to attain a specific objective (e.g., to enable a color-blind user to easily identify displayed characters). A single color conversion process and/or a process that provides the sequential conversion of multiple character colors at a constant time interval may be used.

Abstract: A plurality of letter output devices (workstations, printers) are connected to a letter data control device by a transmission path. The control device stores letter data for transmission to the letter output devices, and is able to convert that letter data to a desired layout (e.g. from a vector font to a dot font) and then transmits the converted letter data to one or more of the letter output devices. The control device is able to select part of its stored letter data for transmission so that only commonly used letter data need be transmitted during start up of the system. Since a large amount of letter data may be stored in the control device, and only part may be transmitted to the letter output devices, those output devices can have a relatively small memory.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved living body variable measuring apparatus equipped with a display capable of presenting a time-related graphic representation. The graphic representation is composed of crosswise arrangement of rectangles relative to abscissa and ordinate representing time and measured quantity respectively. Each time-related column has a selected rectangle representing the quantity of a measured living body variable. The horizontal time-related arrangement of narrow rectangles facilitates survey of graphic representation. The living body variable measuring apparatus permits the user to select desired data among those measured for record, preventing so selected data from invading locations allotted to others' data and vice versa.

Abstract: A computer program, system, article of manufacture, operator-system interface, and propagated signal for processing digitial images, which are extremely flexible in terms of availability, connectability, and the number and types of receivable input formats and outputs. The computer program, article of manufacture, propagated signal, system, and operator/system interface permit users to input image information in a wide variety of formats, input the image information in many different ways, process the image information utilizing various techniques, in various languages, and produce outputs in a plurality of different format types and as a plurality of different products.

Abstract: To enable the speedup of processing for generating a document image and the reduction of an area for storing a character pattern without using processing requiring time if a character is output, a pattern format selecting section 106 for selecting a pattern format based upon the character data of a character to be output, a pattern generating section 107 which can generate a character pattern in plural pattern formats for generating a character pattern in the pattern format selected by the pattern format selecting section 106 based upon the character data of the character to be output, a pattern storing section 112 for storing the generated character pattern together with format information showing pattern format thereof and a pattern converting section 115 for converting the stored character pattern corresponding to the format information to a character pattern in a format required in the generation of a document image if the stored format information shows that the format is a format requiring conversion in

Abstract: A web-based system for sending an electronic mail message containing simulated human handwriting includes a website having a user interface whereby an email sender can enter a message in text format directly into the website, convert the message into simulated handwriting and forward the email to a recipient, without having to download or install additional software. The email sender may tailor the appearance of the message by choosing from a variety of formatting parameters including character size, color, pen type and choice of script. From this information, a compressed graphic image of handwritten script is created, which may then be presented to the sender for preview or editing prior to being sent to the recipient. The generated compressed graphic images are encoded in standard formats (e.g., GIF or JPEG) and sent using standard email protocols, which are acceptable to most email readers, thereby eliminating the need for special-purpose software for the recipient.

Abstract: A method is provided for correcting flicker and flutter of an OSD on a video image. According to the method, values of pixels of the OSD are stored, pixels of lines of the OSD that are to be displayed without processing are substituted for pixels of the video image, and pixels of lines of the OSD that are to be displayed after processing are subjected to a mathematical filter. In the subjecting step, the value of another pixel of the video image is assigned to each pixel of the video image that is required by the mathematical filter but presently unavailable, with the other pixel belonging to the same column as the required pixel. In a preferred embodiment, the required pixel is a pixel of the video image that is not covered by the OSD, and the other pixel belongs to the closest line of the video image that is covered by the OSD. This makes it possible to simplify the use of mathematical filters associated with a unique equation for all of the lines of the overlaid OSD.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provide for access and use of information from fonts in multiple formats (including font format specific information) in an object oriented system. A generic private Font Handler abstract class is defined with multiple methods and references to objects and variables to provide for the storage and retrieval of information. Subclasses of the Font Handler class implement the abstract methods and provide for retrieval of this information. Further, each Font Handler subclass and instances thereof implement a specific interface that provides format specific capabilities. Font information is stored in instances of the Font Handler. A Font class is defined that provides application developers the ability to access the information from the Font Handler. When an application developer desires to use a particular font, the developer creates an instance of the Font class and establishes an association with a corresponding Font Handler instance.

Abstract: A system and methods automatically provide access and management of installed and noninstalled fonts in a computer system. Installed fonts are resident in computer memory, whereas the noninstalled fonts are preferably described in a compact database including the computer-accessible location of the physical font. Broadly, the invention provides user applications with the capability of automatic selection of both installed and noninstalled fonts without modifications to the application itself.

Abstract: A method and system in a computer network for the dynamic conversion of foreign language data transferred from a remote network site to a local network site into data supportive of the foreign language data, such that the data supportive of the foreign language data may be displayed at the local network site. Initially, the foreign language data at the remote network site is scanned, and individual foreign language characters are associated with the foreign language data. Next, each individual foreign language character associated with the foreign language data is mapped to a position in a table of characters capable of being transferred as data to another network site. The table and the mapping information are then transferred as data to the local network site. The characters contained in the table are subsequently automatically converted at the local network site into foreign language data. Finally, the foreign language data is displayed at the local network site.

Abstract: When character media data is output to a client unit, a server unit dynamically extracts font data corresponding to the character media data from font resources of various styles of type that have been prepared in advance and creates required font resources. The font resources are sent to the client unit through the network and are used to display the character media data.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for multi-threaded texture modulation in axis-aligned volume rendering. Three texture modulation threads are used to modulate texture of three sets of the volumetric data (image sets) in accordance with a texture modulation request. Control is returned from the first texture modulation thread to a main rendering thread while the first texture modulation thread is executing. A user can then interact with a display view while the first texture modulation thread is executing. An intermediate display view of a texture modulated set of volumetric data can be rendered. In one example, a plurality of display connections and contexts are opened for the main rendering thread and each texture modulation thread respectively. Sets of pixel buffers and look-up tables are provided for the respective texture modulation threads. A texture object is included in a context of the main rendering thread.

Abstract: In a display device, a language switching key is operated so that a language in which a character string is displayed on an LCD is set. Upon operation of an information key, information in the set language is displayed on the LCD. When a character size is “16×16,” the character string is displayed in one line on the screen of the LCD and the screen is scrolled horizontally. When the character size is “8×8,” the character string is displayed in two lines on the screen of the LCD and the screen is scrolled vertically.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a character pattern includes a first memory for storing reference character font data as a coordinate point array, a second memory for storing parameter data in correspondence with at least character size data, and a generator for generating size data of a target character on the basis of the parameter data. Font data corresponding to an input character code is read out from the first memory and is developed into pattern data of a size corresponding to character size data converted by the generator. A method of generating a character pattern for the above apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: If the color of a character is modified, for example, from “black” to “blue”, “” is inputted and a conversion key is pressed. In this case, although “”etc., is displayed as in usual kana/kanji conversion, “” is displayed in blue if “” is also set as a control code. If this is selected, “” inputted before is recognized to be a control code instructing to set the color of characters to “blue”, the character stringy “” is deleted and subsequent inputted characters are displayed in blue. If a color printer is used, the characters which are displayed in blue can be printed in blue.

Abstract: A customizable user interface for a mailing apparatus, such as a postage meter or other mailing equipment, provided as input data to a user interface control program, the input data specifying all aspects of the look and feel of the user interface. The invention provides a specific organization of the input data suitable for providing the required specifications. At a high level, the data is organized into a screen tree component, for providing the feel of each screen, i.e. the response by the mailing apparatus (usually the execution of a function) to any key pressed by a user in association with each screen of the user information as well as for providing what screens to display in response to an event so as to communicate the occurrence of the event to a user; and a screen language component, used in conjunction with a font component, for providing the look of each screen, i.e.

Abstract: There is provided a character group display unit for displaying a plurality of character groups at one time, a direction indication input unit for inputting a direction indication, a character group selection unit for causing movement of the cursor in response to a direction indication input, and selecting one among the character groups displayed, a group character display unit for displaying the number of characters included the selected character group at one time, and a character selection unit for causing movement of the cursor in response to a direction indication input, and selecting one among the character displayed.

Abstract: To secure high quality, require no bulk memory and reduce processing time when code image data is expanded to plotted pattern data, a binary expansion section for expanding code image data to binary plotted pattern data, a multivalued expansion section for expanding code image data to multivalued plotted pattern data and an expansion method determining section for judging whether code image data is data for plotting a character and a line or not and whether code image data meets a predetermined condition or not and determining the expansion section to be applied are provided, and code image data is applied to the expansion section determined by the expansion method determining section.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for generating an image of handwritten text having improved appearance, includes the steps of: providing a handwritten sample of the text; generating a digital image of the handwritten sample; processing the digital image of the handwritten sample to generate a digital image of text having improved appearance; and displaying the digital image having improved appearance. According to one approach, the digital image of a handwritten sample is combined with a digital image of the sample written in a normative handwriting font. According to an alternative approach, the digital images of several samples of the same text are combined to produce the improved image.

Abstract: A vertex processing unit is provided for labeling each selected vertex dot as a vertical or horizontal attribute dot based on the direction of a side vector terminating at the vertex dot selected and that of a side vector originating from the vertex dot selected. A contour line segment processing unit is also provided for labeling each edge dot selected from a side as a vertical attribute dot if the y coordinate of the edge dot selected is different from that of a previous edge dot and that of a vertex dot located at the terminal point of the side, or otherwise, as a horizontal attribute dot. Contour color data are defined for the dots labeled as vertical or horizontal attribute dots. And inner color data are defined for the dots existing between an odd-numbered vertical attribute dot and an even-numbered vertical attribute dot, which is next to the former dot, on a selected scan line parallel to the axis of x coordinates, except for horizontal attribute dots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for generating a metadata stream. A request is received to render an object. A determination is made as to whether a device hint associated with the object is present. The object is placed in the metadata stream. The device hint is placed in the metadata stream, responsive to the device hint associated with the object being present. Then the device can take advantage of the hints without requiring it to preprocess the set of objects.

Abstract: Font information includes the stroke type, the skeleton point and the stroke tip type information (Types I, II, and III) shared by various kinds of font variants. Each variant is added with horizontal and vertical stroke widths, and the stroke shape control information (803 and 805-810) expressed as their functions. The stroke skeleton point widening (Wx, Wy, Wz, Wr, and Wt) and the follow-up information, the stroke width non-linear scaling information and the composite stroke information of the primary character style based on the scaling proportion and the space occupation information can be added. The restoration method includes processes, such as the determination of the stroke shape control information and the outline control information, the widening adjustment of the skeleton points, the determination of the follow-up points, the adjustrnent of the present stroke width, the isometric adjustment of the composite strokes, and the re-adjustment of the stroke width, which avoids strokes merging together.

Abstract: A character processing apparatus has a font storage area with at least fonts for representative characters stored therein, and a character information table with storage address for the fonts, no-font information or the like stored therein. A retrieving section is provided for receiving arbitrary inputted character code, referring to storage address information or no-font information in the character information table, and outputting the storage address information corresponding to character code for a representative character having the same group number and the same type information as that of the retrieved character code according to type information as well as to group information when there is no-font information. A display control section and a display section are included for receiving a corresponding font from the font storage area and displaying a character for the arbitrary character code on a screen according to the storage address information inputted from the retrieving section.

Abstract: A character processing apparatus includes a receiving section receiving a request for character information, a code allocating section allocating a code to the requested character information, a control section controlling creation of the requested character information, and a setting section setting created character information with respect to the allocated code.

Abstract: A structural graph displaying system for generating a new structural graph by changing sub-graphs of an existent structural graph. The displaying system includes a drawing control program for controlling the drawing process of a character, a contour changing program for changing the contour of a stroke along a contour changing direction, and a graph integration program for integrating and outputting the changed contours of all strokes of a character onto a screen. The displaying system further includes a stroke table for storing a stroke ID and corresponding stroke drawing program of each stroke, and a character description file for storing various stroke parameters of each character. The character description file includes an index file and a stroke description table of each character. The index table contains a WID of each character and the addresses of the correspondent stroke description tables.

Abstract: In a display device, a language switching key is operated so that a language in which a character string is displayed on an LCD is set. Upon operation of an information key, information in the set language is displayed on the LCD. When a character size is “16×16,” the character string is displayed in one line on the screen of the LCD and the screen is scrolled horizontally. When the character size is “8×8,” the character string is displayed in two lines on the screen of the LCD and the screen is scrolled vertically.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cellular phone handset which can display a variety of special characters.

Abstract: A character pattern generator includes: an input section for inputting an input information that contains a character code, a character style, and a character size of a character pattern to be generated; a character information storing section for storing, for each character code, a character information containing a stroke configuration information composed of skeleton coordinate data of strokes constituting the character pattern; a bit map font generating section for reading, from the character information storing section, the stroke configuration information contained in the character information based on the input information input by the input section and for generating a bit map font based on the skeleton coordinate data of the stroke configuration information that has been read; and an output section for outputting, as a character pattern, the bit map font generated by the bit map font generating section.

Abstract: A character sequence drawing apparatus which stores font data and font processing functions for executing processes for using the font data. The font processing functions are, for example a rasterizer initialization function, a glyph-by-glyph pattern obtaining function, a glyph-by-glyph font metrics information obtaining function, and a common font metrics information obtaining function. The character sequence drawing apparatus receives, from an application program (AP), a piece of font access information that includes addresses of font data and a group of types of font processing functions, assigns a font ID to the piece of font access information, stores the font ID with correspondence to the piece of font access information, and sends the font ID to the AP. After this, the AP can issue a request to execute a drawing-related process (e.g., obtaining a character sequence width, obtaining height of a font, or drawing a character sequence) to the character sequence drawing apparatus, specifying a font ID.

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: This invention relates to an outline font, and more particularly to a progressive renderable outline font and methods for transforming and rendering the same. Its purpose lies in supplying a progressively renderable Font which can be varied according to the quantity of the data composing the font. The Progressively Renderable Font has the function of controlling the display speed and the quality of the font. For example, if the hardware speed is relatively slow and a high quality font is not needed, only a part of the font data will be transmitted and displayed. On the contrary, if the hardware speed is relatively fast and high quality font is needed, gradually increased data will be transmitted and displayed. Therefore, a font can be transmitted and displayed using minimal data without sacrificing quality. On the other hand, in case of the environment, all the data can be transmitted and displayed so that the quality of the font can be fully realized.

Abstract: An information processing method and apparatus which uses a memory storing stroke data forming one character together with respective stroke order information to display each stroke data based on the stored stroke order information at an arbitrary speed. In addition, a display speed changing instruction is input into the apparatus and the display speed of the stroke data is changed in response to the display speed changing instruction. In addition, stroke data stored in correspondence to the stroke order information of an input stroke order number is read from the memory and displayed. Further, the stroke data can be displayed under different display conditions such that the stroke order information stored in correspondence to the stroke data can be distinguished from each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a stroked-based font defined by a stroke representation displayable in high-resolution and low-resolution space. The stroke representation includes defining a basic stroke with key points and width values as its primary parameters and feature points and curve features as the secondary parameters. Hinting information for certain key points provide information for displaying quality strokes in low resolution space. A CAD tool allows a font designer to easily select the parameters for the design of basic strokes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for setting a body frame for a pattern and collectively deleting an area located outside the body frame. Consecutive codes can be assigned to scanned patterns.

Abstract: In a digital still camera, a character font readout control circuit (20) has the character constituted by 46 lines read out from a font memory (23) into a display memory (8) when the monitor device complies with the NTSC system, and the number of lines of the character increased to 54 lines and then written into the display memory (8) when the monitor device complies with the PAL system. The memory capacity can be reduced since the font for only the NTSC system, and not the PAL system,needs to be stored.

Abstract: A communication terminal apparatus such as a portable telephone apparatus has a main body, a selection operation unit, an operation inputting unit, a display unit, and a controller. The main body has a speaker and a microphone. The selection operation unit is provided on the main body and selects one mode from a plurality of modes of the communication terminal apparatus. The operation inputting unit is provided on the main body and changes functions based on the mode selected by the selection operation unit. The display unit is provided on the main body and displays information required for selection operation or inputting operation by the selection operation unit and/or the operation inputting unit. The controller sets a mode selected based on the input from the selection operation unit, and switches a function of the operation inputting unit based on the input from the selection operation unit.

Abstract: A gray scale reduction method or apparatus reduces required memory capacity for storing gray scale as compared with conventional gray scale reduction methods. The gray scale reduction apparatus performs quantization error scattering of input gray level data of an input image. Data produced by the quantization error scattering is filtered after completing the quantization error scattering.

Abstract: A printer device driver system includes a relatively simplistic kernel mode device driver, KM.sub.-- DRIVER. KM.sub.-- DRIVER supplies limited functionality for basic Device Driver Interface, DDI, operations compatible with O/S kernel mode components. Separate reporting of graphics objects data and text data is made. The device driver is now divided into: a kernel mode analysis segment KM.sub.-- TEXT and a user mode text resolution generator UM.sub.-- TEXT segment. A user mode driver, UM.sub.-- DRIVER, is provided for receiving DDI coded instructions. In essence, UM.sub.-- TEXT subroutine ignores reported resolution and renders text in any resolution up to and including the highest possible resolution for the printer apparatus provided. A set of text data output from the application and O/S is reported to KM.sub.-- DRIVER in a fixed resolution. Text data is received with DDI text print requests. When a font is not recreatable, rendering is performed at the fixed resolution and output to the printer.

Abstract: A character pattern generating apparatus includes a CPU and a memory for pre-storing character shape skeleton data, element skeleton shape data, element skeleton shape data, and element outline shape data. The CPU determines whether a thickness of a character is to be altered or not from a standard thickness, and determines whether the process of altering the thickness of each constituent element in the element outline shape data is to be performed by calculation, or by replacing the element with an alternative element in the case where character thickness is to be altered. The CPU then alters the thickness in the element outline shape data according to the determination and deforms the element skeleton shape data based on the character shape skeleton data. Associated therewith, the CPU alters the element outline shape data based on the altered element skeleton shape data and generates a character pattern from the altered element outline shape data.

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 network system includes a font resource server that is accessible to all devices that communicate via the network. The font server contains the necessary information pertaining to the various types of fonts that may be required by users. This information describes the characters in a font in both a bitmap form and an outline form, so that either type of font information can be selectively employed at any given site. When a document is transmitted from the site of its creation to a remote site, the computer at the remote site first determines whether information pertaining to all of the fonts contained in the document is stored at the remote site. If not, the necessary font resources are downloaded from the font server to the remote site, via any suitable communication network. Once the resources have been downloaded, the document can be viewed and printed at the remote site.