Image Forming Apparatus Random Outline Data Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses struggle to render natural-looking handwritten characters, as they typically use fixed outline data for character codes, resulting in uniform and unnatural printed text, even when using handwritten font sets.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus processes outline data by changing the coordinate of a stroke, thickness of each line, and/or interval between characters, creating processed outline data to render characters specified by character codes as different objects, thereby mimicking the variability of real handwritten text.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If fixed outline data is used for character codes, then rendering consistency is maintained, but natural handwritten appearance is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering consistencyVSAvoidnatural handwritten appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the outline data variable rather than fixed. The character rendering unit dynamically processes outline data by randomly changing stroke coordinates, line thickness, and character intervals during rendering. This allows the same character code to produce varied visual forms that mimic natural handwriting while maintaining consistent character identity, resolving the contradiction between rendering consistency and natural appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters of the outline data including stroke coordinates, line thickness, and character intervals. By randomly varying these parameters during the rendering process, the system generates diverse visual representations of the same character, achieving natural handwritten appearance while preserving the underlying character structure and consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If outline data is processed to create variability, then natural handwritten appearance is achieved, but rendering uniformity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural handwritten appearanceVSAvoidrendering uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively varying specific parameters of the outline data while preserving others. The character rendering unit randomly changes stroke coordinates, line thickness, and intervals in a controlled manner, creating local variations that give each character a unique handwritten appearance while maintaining overall rendering uniformity and character recognition consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If random processing of outline data is applied, then character diversity is increased, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter diversityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by implementing the random processing logic within the image forming apparatus itself. The character rendering unit autonomously performs random variations on outline data during rendering, eliminating the need for external processing or complex pre-processing steps. This increases character diversity while keeping the processing complexity contained within a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11443466B2Image forming apparatus that randomly processes outline data in association with a character code to render a character in different forms, image forming method including randomly processing outline data in association with a character code to render a character in different forms, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium that records an information processing program that realizes the image forming method including randomly processing outline data in association with a character code to render a character in different forms

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes: a storage device that stores font data including a character code and outline data in association with the character code, the outline data being used to render a character specified by the character code; and a text processing unit configured to obtain, from the font data, the outline data in association with the character code included in the printable data, and a character rendering unit configured to process the outline data by changing a coordinate of a stroke, thickness of each line, and/or an interval between characters to thereby create processed outline data, the stroke being a center line of each line included in an object of the character rendered by using the outline data, and render an object of the character by using the processed outline data to thereby render the character specified by the same character code as a different object.