| 摘要 |
<p>The invention provides a method and apparatus for generating pattern signals. A pattern outline is divided into regions and respective regions are represented in terms of conic lines. Data representing the pattern outlines is stored in outline data storage means (1). In response to a control signal, outline reproducing means (3 to 8) read out selected outline data from the outline data storage means and reproduce a pattern outline function from the selected outline data. Converting means (9, 10) are responsive to an output from the outline reproducing means for generating pattern signals representing the whole pattern. Each respective outline region is represented as an initial point of, an auxiliary point on, and a terminal point of the associated conic line, and the outline reproducing means include selecting means (6, 7, 8) arranged to calculate a linear function for a straight line joining respective ones of the points, to establish whether the maximum gap between the straight and the conic lines joining the respective points has a value less than a reference value and, if it has, to select the linear function for supply to the converting means.</p> |
