US5506941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pattern generation method and pattern generation apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1995-04-20
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Granted: 1996-04-09
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Expires: 2015-04-20
Abstract
Abstract In a pattern generation method, corresponding binary bit map data is generated based on a desired one of vector font data, an area of the binary bit map data on a memory is divided to judge a density in a predetermined area, and digital multi-value data is generated in correspondence with the judged density. There is also disclosed a pattern generation apparatus for carrying out this method.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsuneaki Kurumida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/40068; G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/1204; G06K15/1223; G06K15/128; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/22; G09G5/24; G09G5/28; H04N1/40075; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/004; G06K2215/0042; G06K2215/0045; G06K2215/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A pattern generation apparatus for generating gray scale pattern data in accordance with vector data, said apparatus comprising: means for inputting information on a size of a character to be generated; means for deriving information on a size in converting vector data into bit map data on the basis of the output gradation capability of an output apparatus, the size represented by the derived information being larger than the size represented by the input information; means for converting vector data into bit map data of the size represented by the derived information; and means for generating gray scale pattern data of the size represented by the input information on the basis of the bit map data converted by said converting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A pattern generation apparatus for generating gray scale pattern data in accordance with vector data, said apparatus comprising: means for inputting information on a size of a character to be generated; means for deriving information on a size in converting vector data into bit map data on the basis of the output gradation capability of an output apparatus, the size represented by the derived information being larger than the size represented by the input information; means for converting vector data into bit map data of the size represented by the derived information; and means for generating gray scale pattern data of the size represented by the input information on the basis of the bit map data converted by said converting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising conversion means, having vector fonts, for converting desired data of the vector font into the binary.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising printer means for, receiving the gray scale data, converting the multi-value data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to form a pulse-width modulated signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising printing means for controlling ink injection in accordance with the gray scale digital data to express gradation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
A pattern generation method for use in generating gray scale pattern data in accordance with vector data, said method comprising the steps of: inputting information on a size of a character to be generated; deriving information on a size in converting vector data into bit map data on the basis of the output gradation capability of an output apparatus, the size represented by the derived information being larger than the size represented by the input information; generating bit map data of the size represented by the derived information; and generating gray scale pattern data of the size represented by the input information on the basis of the bit map data generated in said first-mentioned generating step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
A pattern generation method for use in generating gray scale pattern data in accordance with vector data, said method comprising the steps of: inputting information on a size of a character to be generated; deriving information on a size in converting vector data into bit map data on the basis of the output gradation capability of an output apparatus, the size represented by the derived information being larger than the size represented by the input information; generating bit map data of the size represented by the derived information; and generating gray scale pattern data of the size represented by the input information on the basis of the bit map data generated in said first-mentioned generating step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of judging a distribution state of a pattern in each of a plurality of areas of image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of receiving the gray scale data, converting the gray scale data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to form a pulse-width modulated signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
A pattern generation method comprising the steps of: dividing an area of a binary character pattern, having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output, obtained by scaling vector data, into plural predetermined areas; judging a density in a predetermined area obtained in said dividing step; generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with the density judged in said judging step so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; and converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to pulse-width modulate the analog image signal, thereby outputting a gradation pattern.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
A pattern generation method comprising the steps of: dividing an area of a binary character pattern, having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output, obtained by scaling vector data, into plural predetermined areas; judging a density in a predetermined area obtained in said dividing step; generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with the density judged in said judging step so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; and converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to pulse-width modulate the analog image signal, thereby outputting a gradation pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the multi-value digital data is obtained by generating a binary character pattern based on the vector data, and judging a density based on a distribution of the binary character pattern.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
A pattern generation apparatus comprising: means for dividing an area of a binary character pattern, having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output, obtained by scaling vector data into plural predetermined area; means for judging a density in a predetermined area obtained by said dividing means; means for generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with the density judged by said judging means so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; means for converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to obtain a pulse-width modulated signal; and laser output means for outputting a gradation image based on the pulse-width modulated signal obtained by said converting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
129 words
A pattern generation apparatus comprising: means for dividing an area of a binary character pattern, having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output, obtained by scaling vector data into plural predetermined area; means for judging a density in a predetermined area obtained by said dividing means; means for generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with the density judged by said judging means so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; means for converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to obtain a pulse-width modulated signal; and laser output means for outputting a gradation image based on the pulse-width modulated signal obtained by said converting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said generation means converts the vector data into the binary character pattern, and judges a density based on a distribution of the character pattern so as to generate the multi-value digital data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
A pattern generation method comprising: dividing a character pattern area of a binary character pattern, having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output, stored in a memory into a plurality of areas, and judging a density in each of the plurality of areas; and generating corresponding digital multi-value data in accordance with the density judged in said dividing step so as to generate a gray scale character pattern.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
A pattern generation method comprising: dividing a character pattern area of a binary character pattern, having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output, stored in a memory into a plurality of areas, and judging a density in each of the plurality of areas; and generating corresponding digital multi-value data in accordance with the density judged in said dividing step so as to generate a gray scale character pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of converting desired data of vector fonts stored in another memory into the binary bit map data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of receiving the multi-value data, converting the multi-value data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to form a pulse-width-modulated signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of controlling ink ejection in accordance with the multi-value digital data to express gradation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
A pattern generation apparatus comprising: means for generating a corresponding binary character pattern having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output based on a desired one of vector font data; means for storing the binary character pattern generated by said character pattern generating means; means for dividing a character pattern area of the binary character pattern stored in said storage means into a plurality of areas; and means for judging a density in each of the plurality of areas; and means for generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with the judged density so as to generate a gray scale character pattern.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
107 words
A pattern generation apparatus comprising: means for generating a corresponding binary character pattern having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output based on a desired one of vector font data; means for storing the binary character pattern generated by said character pattern generating means; means for dividing a character pattern area of the binary character pattern stored in said storage means into a plurality of areas; and means for judging a density in each of the plurality of areas; and means for generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with the judged density so as to generate a gray scale character pattern.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said judging means judges a distribution state of a pattern in the predetermined one area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for receiving the multi-value data, converting the-multi-value data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to form a pulse-width-modulated signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
103 words
A pattern generation method comprising the steps of: judging a density in a predetermined one of areas obtained by dividing a binary character pattern having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output obtained by scaling vector data; generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with the density judged in said judging step so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; and converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to pulse-width modulate the analog image signal, thereby outputting a gradation pattern.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
103 words
A pattern generation method comprising the steps of: judging a density in a predetermined one of areas obtained by dividing a binary character pattern having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output obtained by scaling vector data; generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with the density judged in said judging step so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; and converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to pulse-width modulate the analog image signal, thereby outputting a gradation pattern.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
100 words
A pattern generation method comprising the steps of: dividing an area of a binary character pattern having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output obtained by scaling vector data, into plural predetermined areas; generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with a density in each of the plural areas so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; and converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to pulse-width modulate the analog image signal, thereby outputting a gradation pattern.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
100 words
A pattern generation method comprising the steps of: dividing an area of a binary character pattern having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output obtained by scaling vector data, into plural predetermined areas; generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with a density in each of the plural areas so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; and converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to pulse-width modulate the analog image signal, thereby outputting a gradation pattern.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
118 words
A pattern generation apparatus comprising: means for judging a density in a predetermined one of areas obtained by dividing a binary character pattern having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output obtained by scaling vector data; means for generating digital multi-value data in corresponding with the density judged by said judging means so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; means for converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to obtain a pulse-width-modulated signal; and laser output means for outputting a gradation image based on the pulse-width modulated signal obtained by said converting means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
118 words
A pattern generation apparatus comprising: means for judging a density in a predetermined one of areas obtained by dividing a binary character pattern having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output obtained by scaling vector data; means for generating digital multi-value data in corresponding with the density judged by said judging means so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; means for converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to obtain a pulse-width-modulated signal; and laser output means for outputting a gradation image based on the pulse-width modulated signal obtained by said converting means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
115 words
A pattern generation apparatus comprising: means for dividing an area of a binary character pattern having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output obtained by scaling vector data, into plural predetermined areas; means for generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with a density in each of the plural areas so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; means for converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to obtain a pulse-width-modulated signal; and laser output means for outputting a gradation image based on the pulse-width modulated signal obtained by said converting means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
115 words
A pattern generation apparatus comprising: means for dividing an area of a binary character pattern having a resolution larger than a resolution with which data is to be output obtained by scaling vector data, into plural predetermined areas; means for generating digital multi-value data in correspondence with a density in each of the plural areas so as to generate a gray scale character pattern; means for converting the multi-value digital data into an analog image signal, and comparing the analog image signal with a triangular wave having a predetermined period to obtain a pulse-width-modulated signal; and laser output means for outputting a gradation image based on the pulse-width modulated signal obtained by said converting means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of inputting a character code.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of inputting a character code.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising means for inputting a character code.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising means for inputting a character code.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of generating information indicating a size of a character to be output.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of generating information indicating a size of a character to be output.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising means for generating information indicating a size of a character to be output.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising means for generating information indicating a size of a character to be output.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generated bit map data are output to a display.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the generated bit map data are output to a display.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein the generated digital multi-value data are output to a display.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the generated digital multi-value data are output to a display.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bit map data generated by said generation means are output in color.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the data generated in said generating step are output in color.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the output data are output in color.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, in which the output gradation image is output in color.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 12, in which the data generated in said generating step are output in color.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, in which the data generated by said generating means are output in color.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the gradation pattern is output in color.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein the gradation pattern is output in color.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the gradation image is output in color.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the gradation image is output in color.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-09 | 1999-10-09 | 2000-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-09 | 2003-10-09 | 2004-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-09 | 2007-10-09 | 2008-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |