Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A character sequence drawing apparatus which stores font data and font processing functions for executing processes for using the font data. The font processing functions are, for example a rasterizer initialization function, a glyph-by-glyph pattern obtaining function, a glyph-by-glyph font metrics information obtaining function, and a common font metrics information obtaining function. The character sequence drawing apparatus receives, from an application program (AP), a piece of font access information that includes addresses of font data and a group of types of font processing functions, assigns a font ID to the piece of font access information, stores the font ID with correspondence to the piece of font access information, and sends the font ID to the AP. After this, the AP can issue a request to execute a drawing-related process (e.g., obtaining a character sequence width, obtaining height of a font, or drawing a character sequence) to the character sequence drawing apparatus, specifying a font ID. After receiving a request from the AP, the character sequence drawing apparatus identifies addresses of font processing functions based on the received request and piece of font access information corresponding to the specified font ID, and executes the functions.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim