Multi-Color Glyph Font File Using Graphic Image Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional font technologies are limited to monochrome glyphs due to the complexity of organizing and using parameters, which restricts the ability to create and print multi-color fonts effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that support multi-color glyphs by using a font file with graphic image data in formats like PNG, GIF, or JPEG, allowing the font file to reference graphic image data stored separately, enabling the font parser and layout engine to retrieve and print glyphs without needing complex coding for color specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional font files use detailed parameter tables to define glyph characteristics, then manufacturing precision of glyph characteristics is improved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses bitmap images as visual copies of glyphs instead of mathematical parameter definitions. Each glyph is represented by a raster image that directly depicts its appearance, eliminating the need for complex parameter tables while preserving visual accuracy. This copying approach trades computational complexity for direct visual representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the parameter representation from continuous mathematical values (in conventional font files) to discrete bitmap pixel data. This parameter transformation simplifies the font file structure by replacing numerous interrelated parameters with a single image data structure, resolving the complexity issue while maintaining glyph definition capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional font files include comprehensive parameter tables for color glyphs, then color rendering capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the glyph shape and color information into a single bitmap image structure. Instead of separately defining glyph geometry and color parameters, the solution combines both attributes into one visual representation, simplifying the user interface and ease of operation while maintaining full color capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-rendered bitmap copies of colored glyphs stored in the font file. These image copies directly represent the final visual appearance including all color information, eliminating the need for users to manipulate complex color parameters. The system simply retrieves and displays the pre-computed image copies.
3Manufacturing precision
If font files store complete graphic image data for each glyph, then manufacturing precision of color rendering is improved, but loss of substance increases due to larger file size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores bitmap image copies of glyphs directly in the font file, allowing complete color rendering information to be preserved in the image data itself. This copying method ensures accurate color reproduction while accepting the trade-off of increased file size, as the image data contains all necessary color and shape information in a compact raster format.
Data Source
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AI summary
At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a font file having graphic image files. In one embodiment, the font includes a set of glyphs and the font file includes a set of predetermined information of each glyph and graphic image data of each glyph. The graphic image data contains a graphic image of the corresponding glyph, which may be a multi-color glyph.