Font Module Selecting Multiple Outline Data for Natural Handwritten Character Rendering

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses struggle to render natural-looking handwritten characters, as they typically use a single outline data for each character code, resulting in uniform and unnatural appearances.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a font module with multiple outline data sets associated with each character code, allowing the text processing unit to select and supply different outline data for rendering, mimicking the variability of human handwriting by using different outline data every time a character is rendered.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single outline data is used for each character code, then the rendering process is simple and fast, but the characters appear uniform and unnatural

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering process simplicityVSAvoidcharacter rendering naturalness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the outline data selection variable rather than fixed. Multiple outline data sets are stored for each character code, and the system dynamically selects different outline data for each character instance, causing the same character to appear in different forms each time it is rendered, thereby achieving natural handwritten appearance while maintaining simple processing logic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of outline data selection from a single fixed value to multiple variable values. By storing multiple outline data sets (first outline data, second outline data, etc.) for each character code and selecting different ones based on character position or other criteria, the system achieves diverse character appearances without complicating the overall rendering process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple outline data are stored for each character code, then diverse character forms can be rendered, but the font data size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter form diversityVSAvoidfont data size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating multiple outline data sets that are variations or copies of the base character shape. Instead of storing completely different representations, the system stores multiple outline data versions that can be selectively applied, achieving character diversity while managing data size through efficient copying and selection rather than redundant storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If different outline data are selected for each character instance, then natural handwritten appearance is achieved, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandwritten appearance qualityVSAvoidfont data structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the font data structure into distinct segments: multiple outline data sets (first outline data, second outline data, etc.) for each character code. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by organizing data into clear, separate units that can be independently selected and processed, reducing the overall processing burden while maintaining the ability to generate diverse character forms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11288556B2Image forming apparatus that renders a character using one outline data out of multiple different outline data, image forming method including rendering a character using one outline data out of multiple different outline data, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium that records an information processing program that realizes the image forming method including rendering a character using one outline data out of multiple different outline data

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An apparatus includes: a communication interface configured to receive printable data including a character code; and a controller circuitry configured to operate as a font module including font data and a font data supplying unit, the font data including a character code and multiple different outline data in association with the character code, each of the multiple different outline data being used to render a character specified by the character code, the font data supplying unit being configured to supply one outline data to the text processing unit, a text processing unit configured to obtain the one outline data from the font data supplying unit out of the multiple different outline data in association with the character code included in the printable data, and a character rendering unit configured to render the character specified by the character code included in the printable data by using the one outline data.