Abstract: A system and method determines an optimum size for a font for readability. A method determines font characteristics by determining a character density for the font and multiplying the character density by a sharpest focusable area of the viewing medium. The method further includes varying the character density according to a range in a number of clusters per fixation to determine a maximum font size and a minimum font size. In an embodiment, the character density is a ratio of a number of clusters per em in the font to a number of visible clusters within a predetermined foveal angle. The predetermined foveal angle can be a field of vision for sharpest focus of an eye or a reader specific foveal angle that reflects the reader's visual acuity, taking into consideration macular degeneration, vision impairments, vision sharpness, tunnel vision, eye disease, near sightedness, far sightedness, dyslexia, and astigmatism.

Abstract: A method and computer software product for processing outline fonts is described to skeletonize character fonts based on their outline data. The method may comprise: reading font data from an outline font dictionary that stores the outline data of an outline font, preparing element structures and constructing a graphic path; determining whether or not the element structures constitute another graphic path; determining whether or not, within the graphic path, there is another graphic path that is completely contained and has the same cyclic direction as the graphic path, if there is, then, deleting the other graphic path; and moving the element structures that constitute the graphic path by a predetermined distance to the direction of character width based on the character width of the outline font, thereby to output a plurality of line segments which effectively eliminates the character width of the outline font.

Abstract: A font memory for a display includes a ROM with a storage region divided into a program storing region and a font data storing region, divided into a mono-font data storing region and a color font data storing region, and designed to map and store data in three segment storage regions in the color font data storing region with respect to a character CRA code defining characteristics of color font data. Three segment storage regions in the color font data storing region, in which color font data corresponding to a CRA code, which is not displayed on a screen, of CRA codes of color font data with respect to a specific font, are to be written, have a mono-font storage diversion changeable storage region that stores therein mono-font data with respect to a font other than the specific font.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for presenting computer-generated characters. The method defines several frames for a character and sequentially presents the frames. Each frame depicts a particular representation of the character. Also, at least two of the frames provide different representations of the character. Some embodiments provide a method for applying effects to computer-generated characters. This method applies an effect to the computer-generated characters by first generating an effect script. It then selects the generated effect script to apply to the computer-generated characters.

Abstract: Programs, methods and apparatus for context sensitive font generation, especially handwriting fonts. In a preferred embodiment, a computer program product contains instructions to identify a character string including upper case, lower case, and/or symbolic characters; identify the first character in the string; identify a plurality of handwritten glyphs corresponding to the character; select one of the glyphs based upon an adjacent character in the string; and repeat the foregoing steps, thereby converting the character string.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention relate to iteratively solving constraints in a font-hinting language. A computing system accesses a more complex constraint that can not be natively expressed based on the vocabulary of the font-hinting language, the more complex constraint constraining at least a portion of the outline. The computing system decomposes the more complex constraint into a plurality of simpler constraints that can be natively expressed based on the vocabulary of the font-hinting language. The computer system represents each of the simpler constraints in corresponding font-hinting language instructions that can be iteratively processed to at least approximate a solution to the more complex constraint. The font-hinting language instructions are iteratively processed at the computing system or another computing system to cause a graphical object to comply, within a specific tolerance, with the more complex constraint.

Abstract: A system for displaying textual information includes a receiver (300) for receiving textual information that includes a plurality of words. A text segmenter (302), operatively associated with the receiver (300), segments the plurality of words into a plurality of word segments, each word segment having one or more words. A user interface device (304) receives a signal initiated by an action of a user to indicate a display rate. A display device (306) including a processor and a memory, is coupled to the text segmenter and the user interface device. The display device (306) displays the word segments in a temporal sequence by displaying a first word segment for a first display duration, that is based on the display rate, at a first position on the display device (306) and automatically proceeding to display a second word segment for a second display duration, that is based on the display rate, at a second position on the display device (306).

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: 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: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for coordinating grid tracking and character composition. A grid defining a layout of one or more lines of grid boxes is received. Each grid box can accommodate one full-width character and has a global track amount specified in an absolute unit. One or more of the grid boxes is populated with characters and associated spaces. The characters and their associated spaces in the one or more lines of grid boxes are tracked by an amount determined as a function of the global track amount and a proportion of an em for the characters and their associated spaces.

Abstract: A method to determine a font attribute includes: determining a first number and a second number; receiving input resulting from repositioning of a thumb of a slider to a position; and determining a value for the font attribute from the position relative to the first and second numbers. A font attribute is one of: a) font size; b) boldness; c) italic angle; d) baseline offset; e) line spacing; and f) character spacing. In one example, when the thumb is pushed against one end of the slider, at least one of the first number or the second number is adjusted. Another example shows at least one of the first number or the second number is updated when an input such as selecting a value from a list or typing in a value or pushing a thumb against one end of a slider is received.

Abstract: Methods and systems for hinting fonts are described. In one embodiment, a system for providing a hinted font is configured to define hints for a glyph of a first font. The hints are defined by one or more statements that contain multiple values that define constraints for the glyph. At least one of the values reference a table entry that corresponds to a table value that is used to constrain the glyph. An association is established between the glyph of the first font and a glyph of a second font. The second font is different from the first font. One or more statements are translated so that the statement(s) now pertain to and define constraints for the glyph of the second font.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for providing a hinted TrueType font is configured to provide a source character from a fully hinted TrueType font from which hints are to be transferred. The source character has multiple control points that are constrained by the hints. A target character is provided from a TrueType font to which hints from the source character are to be transferred. The target character has control points that will be constrained by the transferred hints. Hints associated with the source character and that refer to control points on the source character are transferred to hints associated with the target character and that refer to control points on the target 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: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for typesetting a text line of characters with different fonts or different sizes without the presence of a preset baseline in the font. A coordination line is set for the text line to coordinate the characters. The dimensions of each character to be typeset on the text line is first determined. An embox is determined for each character, where the vertical and horizontal size of each embox are the determined dimensions for the character. The characters are compared with at least one preselected reference character of the same font, and a coordination point is determined for each character in its embox, based on the result of the comparison with the reference character. Finally the coordination point is coordinated for each of the characters with the coordination line in order to typeset the characters on the text line.

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 for creating pixel-oriented pictorial datasets for representing graphic symbols with geometric elements and texts. The method includes a) storing image description datasets for a graphic symbol, b) storing at least one text dataset, c) storing user-specific prerequisites in at least one user dataset and d) creating a set of pixel-oriented image datasets by using the image description datasets, the at least one text datasets and the at least one user dataset.

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: 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: 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 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: 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 multiple master typeface can generate and display kanji characters. The graphical elements of the characters in the typeface are classified into shape types, and a glyph set is provided for each shape type. Each glyph set contains base glyphs which represent the variations in the shape type. To generate the character, the shape type of and position of each element in the character is identified. For each element in the character, a weighting factor is determined for each base glyph in the glyph set for the shape type of that element. A composite element is created from the base glyphs in the glyph set for the shape type of that element. The relative contribution of each base glyph to the composite element is determined by the weighting factors determined for that element and that base glyph. To display the character, the composite elements are placed in the identified positions.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying font in a wireless telephone. The system and method employ the operations of converting base font data into converted font data, wherein the converted font data has a data bits equal in number to data bits of a background screen into which the converted font data will be transcribed; generating a mask for the converted font data; storing the converted font data and the mask in a memory of the wireless telephone; retrieving the mask stored in the memory.

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 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 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: A presentation of textual material is provided in a “role-play” reading format which has text corresponding to the dialogue of a plurality of characters in order to facilitate reading aloud in a group. The text for the dialogue of a plurality of characters is presented in a different indicia throughout substantially all the presentation. Preferably the indicia is color so the dialogue for each character is in a different color. The test for each character is also selected and presented at a level corresponding to the reading level of the reader selecting or assigned to read each character. The text is preferably selected from among a plurality of texts pre-written at substantially different reading levels. The reading material can be presented on paper, or on media suitable for display on an electronic screen. The text for each character is in a size and font suitable for the reading level of the reader selecting or assigned to read the dialogue for the character.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for storing public and secure font data in a font file. The system and method include public glyph data stored in the font file. Secure glyph data is also provided that corresponds to the public glyph data and the secure glyph data is stored in the font file in an encrypted form. A security logic module is included and configured to allow the secure glyph data to be used when a decryption key is provided by a user to decrypt the secure glyph data.

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: A system and method is provided for storing public and secure font data in a font file. The system and method include public glyph data stored in the font file. Secure glyph data is also provided that corresponds to the public glyph data and the secure glyph data is stored in the font file in an encrypted form. A security logic module is included and configured to allow the secure glyph data to be used when a decryption key is provided by a user to decrypt the secure glyph data.

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: 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: An apparatus and method for rotating OSD fonts are disclosed. The OSD rotation device including a central processing unit, font addresses generator, memory, a font ROM, a decoder, a shift register, a output controller and output circuits, a synchronization signal generator, and a display device. In a manner, the OSD fonts corresponding to the OSD font addresses are produced. Next, the OSD fonts is read and delivered to the decoder. Further, the decoder performs a decoding process for the OSD fonts to form a plurality of rotated fonts. The OSD message, including the rotated fonts, is displayed on a display device so that the video display is synchronized with the OSD message.

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: A system and method determines an optimum size for a font for readability. A method determines font characteristics by determining a character density for the font and multiplying the character density by a sharpest focusable area of the viewing medium. The method further includes varying the character density according to a range in a number of clusters per fixation to determine a maximum font size and a minimum font size. In an embodiment, the character density is a ratio of a number of clusters per em in the font to a number of visible clusters within a predetermined foveal angle. The predetermined foveal angle can be a field of vision for sharpest focus of an eye or a reader specific foveal angle that reflects the reader's visual acuity, taking into consideration macular degeneration, vision impairments, vision sharpness, tunnel vision, eye disease, near sightedness, far sightedness, dyslexia, and astigmatism.

Abstract: A system and method automatically determines appropriate font characteristics for different display mediums and different readability parameters in any language. A method includes determining font characteristics by receiving data including a font identifier and a language identifier, producing a representative line of type in the identified language and with the identified font, measuring characteristics of the representative line of type, and normalizing the measurements across a plurality of fonts and a plurality of languages. In an embodiment, an international translator is used to receive the data including the font identifier and the language identifier and the received data can include text in a language. The normalizing refers to widths of portions of the text called a “black river,” which is used to identify plotted measured characteristics to determine an average grayness across a perpendicular to a reading direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for converting bit strings from a first resolution to a second resolution suitable for application, in particular, on peripherals such as printers, scanners or facsimile machines. The device comprises a source register 31 in which a string of bits to be converted is stored by a CPU 11, a destination register 32 from which the CPU 11 extracts the converted string, and a pair of control registers 21 and 22 which cooperate for converting bit by bit the bit strings from the source register 31 to the destination register 32. The control registers 21 and 22, the source register 31 and the destination register 32 operate independently from the CPU 11 used and at a clock rate (clk2) greater than that (clk1) of the CPU 11, thereby permitting extremely fast conversion times.

Abstract: A presentation of textual material is provided in a “role-play” reading format which has text corresponding to the dialogue of a plurality of characters in order to facilitate reading aloud in a group. The text for the dialogue of a plurality of characters is presented in a different indicia throughout substantially all the presentation. Preferably the indicia is color so the dialogue for each character is in a different color. The text for each character is also selected and presented at a level corresponding to the reading level of the reader selecting or assigned to read each character. The text is preferably selected from among a plurality of texts pre-written at substantially different reading levels. The reading material can be presented on paper, or on media suitable for display on an electronic screen. The text for each character is in a size and font suitable for the reading level of the reader selecting or assigned to read the dialogue for the character.

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 glyphs 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: A method and apparatus in a distributed data processing system for controlling printing. An interface is presented, wherein the interface allows for association of a logical font with a number of system fonts on a per printer queue basis. Responsive to a print request, the print request is printed using the system font associated with the logical font for that print request.

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: When retrieving documents over a network, such as the Internet, the font size imposed by default or by a style sheet is sometimes not the right size for comfortable viewing by a user. A database of font size changes made by a user to particular documents is maintained and used to infer a font size preference for a document. A document is displayed using a recorded preference. If no preference is found for a document, a check is made to determine if a preference has been specified for a different document related to that document by having a common portion of a network address. That is, if a preference had been specified for one chapter of a document having a particular network address, a preference would be inferred for other chapters of the document based on a common portion of a hierarchical address.

Abstract: A font controlling method and apparatus in a so-called on-screen display (OSD), in which, when displaying letters or the like of different languages, well-balanced high-quality display that is easy and comfortable to see is enabled without abbreviating a word or splitting one line into two lines. To this end, the font controlling apparatus includes an input signal discriminating unit 2, an OSD control micro-computer 3 and a character generator IC 5. The input signal discriminating unit 2 discriminates the sort of graphics display standard of an input signal. OSD control micro-computer 3 determines the sort of the font in use and size of the font based on a display language request signal from the user and the sort of graphics display standard of the input signal. The character generator IC 5 generates an OSD display signal responsive to the sort of the font determined by OSD control micro-computer 3 and the font size.

Abstract: This invention teaches a system and method for printing bar codes and forms in a soft font environment. Special codes that identify the underlying font and character code of a screen font are encoding in the drawing instructions of a soft font, allowing systems that monitor print data to identify the original character strings and substitute alternate printing fonts, even in environments where coding information is discarded during print text formatting. Applications, such as barcode applications that require additional characters to produce a barcode suitable for scanning, can seamlessly provide the additional control characters without interaction from the user or application program.

Abstract: A system, method and a computer readable medium for controlling character data access between a personal computer and server. This system allows a user to display large amounts of data required to accurately represent, store, manipulate and create characters of an Asian font. The system includes one or more personal computers and a server coupled to a public data network. The one or more personal computers and the server interact to provide the users of the one or more personal computers with access to Asian characters stored on both the personal computer and the server.

Abstract: A system for spacing, storing and recognizing electronic representations of handwriting and printing comprises a central processing unit that couples with a display device, an input device, and a memory. The memory includes means for spacing ink stroke representations, means for recognizing outline elements, means for performing deferred recognition, means for highlighting drawing areas and means for storing and displaying ink stroke representations. These means operate together to provide a pen-based or graphics oriented computer system with improved performance and added functionality for manipulating the space between ink stroke representations.

Abstract: A user of a data processing system may specify variability in the generation of data for data-presentation, either by displaying or printing, on an output device. The variability specification may be applied on a glyph-by-glyph basis to the presentation of glyphs. The data processing system provides processing of glyph-based quality variability requests in the following manner. The system receives a request for data-presentation of a series of glyphs and determines, for each glyph in the series of glyphs, whether quality variability is applicable to each glyph. If quality variability is applicable to each glyph, then the system determines a quality variance to be applied to each glyph according to predetermined data-presentation variability data and performs data-presentation of each glyph on an output device in accordance with the quality variance.

Abstract: For generating characters form data stored in a vector format, are provided two kinds of based skeleton data and data which depends on type style; from this a plurality of type styles are generated. The base skeleton data has a start portion, a middle portion, and an end portion. (Or, the base skeleton data has skeleton priority data, skeleton connection data, face modification data, or stroke weight data.) When the type style is generated, bit map, byte map, outline coordinate type, or skeleton coordinate type is generated as desired, in accordance with an output request.