JP2000137571A - Handwriting input device and recording medium recording handwriting input processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly switch cursor moving operation and handwriting input operation on a display screen by using a touch pad in electronic information equipment such as a personal computer. SOLUTION: When a prescribed area on the upper right corner of a touch pad which can not be touched by a finger tip is touched by a pen and the coordinate data of the touched position are detected, a control part (CPU) is set up to a handwriting recognition mode, the locus of coordinate data detected by the touch pad 3 is successively stored in a detected coordinate memory and a handwritten character or mark is recognized in accordance with the locus of the coordinate data. In a normal input mode in which the prescribed area on the touch pad 3 is not touched by the pen, the moving position of a cursor displayed on a liquid crystal display part 4 is controlled relatively corresponding to coordinate data detected by the touch pad 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a handwriting input device for inputting data using a touch pad in an electronic information device such as a personal computer, and a recording medium storing a handwriting input processing program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in electronic information equipment such as a personal computer, a mouse is used as a device for designating or moving an icon or the like displayed on a display screen with a cursor. Since the mouse body is operated by moving the mouse body in the XY directions on a two-dimensional plane such as a desk at a position away from the main body case of the information device, a personal computer particularly small and highly portable is required. A touch pad is used as a device for input operation instead of the mouse.

The touch pad is provided, for example, at a position adjacent to the display screen of the main body case. The touch pad is moved in the X and Y directions while pressing the pad surface with a fingertip of a user or a pen, so that a cursor displayed on the display screen can be moved. For performing a moving operation or the like, that is, even with this touch pad, as in the case of the mouse, a position corresponding to the user operation is set to two.
It outputs dimensional coordinates.

[0004]

On the other hand, it is possible to perform handwriting input using such a device that outputs two-dimensional coordinates of a position corresponding to a user operation, but a conventional touchpad is provided. For electronic information equipment, 1
There is a problem that it is not possible to perform both a cursor moving operation and a handwriting input operation with one touchpad.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a handwriting input apparatus and a handwriting input apparatus that can switch between a cursor moving operation and a handwriting input operation on a display screen by using a touchpad as appropriate. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a handwriting input processing program is recorded.

[0006]

That is, a handwriting input device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a touchpad, and displays on a screen according to an input of the touchpad by moving a touch position on the touchpad. A determination unit for determining whether a predetermined area of the touch pad has been touched, and a determination that the predetermined area of the touch pad has been touched by the determination unit. Thereafter, there is provided control means for converting an input on the touch pad into a coordinate input for recognition.

According to such a handwriting input device, by touching a predetermined area of the touchpad, the control is switched from the movement control of the cursor according to the input of the touchpad to the control of the coordinate input for recognition. .

A handwriting input device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a touchpad, and moves a cursor displayed on a screen in response to an input of the touchpad by moving a touch position on the touchpad. A determination unit that determines whether the touch pressure of the touch pad has exceeded a predetermined value; anda determination unit that determines that the touch pressure of the touch pad has exceeded a predetermined value. And control means for converting the input on the touch pad into a coordinate input for recognition.

According to such a handwriting input device, by increasing the touch pressure of the touchpad above a predetermined value, it is possible to switch from the movement control of the cursor corresponding to the input of the touchpad to the control of the coordinate input for recognition. Will be.

A handwriting input device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a touchpad, and moves a cursor displayed on a screen in response to an input of the touchpad by moving a touch position on the touchpad. A handwriting input device that determines whether a predetermined key is operated; and, when the determination unit determines that the predetermined key is operated, performs input on the touch pad. Control means for inputting coordinates for recognition.

According to such a handwriting input device, by performing a predetermined key operation, it is possible to switch from the movement control of the cursor according to the input of the touch pad to the control of the coordinate input for recognition.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a personal computer (P) according to an embodiment of a handwriting input device of the present invention.
It is a front view which shows the external appearance structure of C).

The body case 1 of the personal computer (PC) is composed of a base case 1a and a cover case 1b which can be freely expanded / depressed in the vertical direction, and is configured as a small and easily portable size.
The key unit 2 is provided on the side a.
The touch pad 3 and the liquid crystal display unit 4 are provided adjacent to the b side.

The key unit 2 includes input keys for various characters and symbols, numeric keys, function keys F1 to F4,
An execution key, a cursor key, and the like are provided.

The touch pad 3 detects two-dimensional coordinates of a position touched by the user's fingertip or pen on the pad. Two-dimensional coordinate data detected and output by the touch pad 3 is used in the normal mode. It is used for moving a cursor or a pointer displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 4. In the handwriting recognition mode, it is used for recognizing characters and symbols by handwriting input.

The touch pad 3 according to the present embodiment
Has a configuration in which the arrangement level of the pad surface is one step lower than the surface level of the cover case b, and the corner portion of the touch pad 3 cannot be touched with a fingertip but can be touched with a pen alone. It is said.

FIG. 2 shows the personal computer (P
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic circuit of C).

This personal computer (PC)
The control unit 11 includes a CPU.

The control unit (CPU) 11 includes a key unit 2
In response to a key input signal from the touch panel 3 or a touch position detection signal from the touch pad 3, a system program or various application programs stored in the storage device 12 or a floppy disk driver or the like from an external recording medium 13 such as a floppy disk. The application program read into the storage device 12 is started via the RAM 12, and the RAM 14 is accessed as a work memory in accordance with the started program to control the operation of each part of the circuit.

The control unit (CPU) 11 is connected to the liquid crystal display unit 4 in addition to the key unit 2, the touch pad 3, the storage device 12, and the RAM 14. A driving voltage is supplied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data storage area secured in the storage device 12 of the personal computer.

The storage device 12 is, for example, a hard disk device. The hard disk has a program storage area 12a for storing a system program for controlling the overall operation of the personal computer and various application programs, and is capable of inputting gestures. Gesture command storage area 12 in which various command symbol patterns and the contents of the commands are stored in association with each other.
b, a character recognition dictionary storage area 12c and the like in which pattern data of characters and symbols for character recognition are stored.

FIG. 4 shows the RA of the personal computer.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data memory secured in M14.

The RAM 14 is made of, for example, a semiconductor memory. The RAM 14 has a display data memory 14a in which display data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 4 is stored as bitmap data, and is detected and output by the touch pad 3. The detected coordinate memory 14b stores the trajectory data of the obtained XY coordinates, the input mode memory 14c stores data indicating the input mode of the normal input mode or the handwriting recognition mode, and the detected coordinate memory 14b in the handwriting recognition mode. A recognition data memory 14d in which recognition data of characters and symbols recognized in accordance with the stored locus data of the touch position coordinates is stored, data input by the key unit 2, and recognition data stored in the recognition data memory 14d. Input data memory 1 for storing input data corresponding to In addition to e, various data input / output to / from each circuit unit is temporarily stored as needed according to an instruction of the control unit 11 accompanying execution of various application programs, but a work memory or the like is secured. Is done.

The liquid crystal display unit 4 uses a liquid crystal display panel such as a TFT, and displays various data processed by the personal computer.

Next, an input operation in the personal computer having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of the touch pad input processing in the personal computer.

When a touch operation is performed on the touch pad 3 and XY coordinate data of the touch position detected by the touch pad 3 is input to the control unit (CPU) 11, the XY coordinate data of the input touch position is input. It is determined whether or not a predetermined area at the upper left corner where a touch operation cannot be performed with a fingertip on the pad surface of the touch pad 3 (steps S1 → S2).

Here, since the touch operation on the touch pad 3 is performed with a pen in a predetermined area at the upper left corner of the pad surface, it is determined that the coordinate data of the touch position corresponding to the predetermined area has been input. Then, the operation mode of the control unit (CPU) 11 is set to the handwriting recognition mode, and the mode data is stored in the input mode memory 14c in the RAM 14 (steps S2 → S3).

In the setting state of the handwriting recognition mode, when detection coordinate data of a touch position accompanying a touch operation on the touch pad 3 is input to the control unit (CPU) 11, an input mode memory in the RAM 14 is provided. Since it is determined that the mode is the handwriting recognition mode according to the mode data stored in the RAM 14c, the coordinate data corresponding to the touch position input from the touch pad 3 is fetched at regular sampling timings and detected in the RAM 14. The movement locus of the touch position is sequentially stored in the coordinate memory 14b (steps S1 → S2 → S4 → S5, S6 → S
5).

The coordinate data of the touch position detected by the touch pad 3 and input to the control unit (CPU) 11 is determined to be a predetermined area at the lower right corner of the pad surface that cannot be touched with a fingertip, and Determines that the lower right corner of the pad surface has been touched,
By then, the detected coordinate memory 14b in the RAM 14
According to the trajectory data of the touch position coordinates stored in the storage device 12, pattern data of various characters and symbols previously stored in a character recognition dictionary storage area 12c in the storage device 12 and stored in a gesture command storage area 12b. Based on the pattern data of various command symbols, recognition of a character or symbol input by handwriting or recognition of a gesture command is performed, and text data or command data of the recognized character or symbol is stored in the RA.
It is stored in the input data memory 14e in M14 (steps S6 → S7).

Then, the text data stored in the input data memory 14e in the RAM 14 is written into the display data memory 14a as bitmap data and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 14, or the input data memory 14e
The processing corresponding to the command is executed in accordance with the command data stored in e (step S8).

On the other hand, the predetermined area at the upper left corner of the touchpad 3 is in the setting state of the normal input mode in which the touch operation is not performed by the pen, and the detected coordinate data is transmitted to the control unit in accordance with the touch operation on the touchpad 3. When input to the (CPU) 11, the input coordinate data of the touch position is stored in a detected coordinate memory 14b in the RAM 14.
Are sequentially rewritten and stored, and the position of the cursor displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit 4 is moved relatively corresponding to the coordinate data of the sequentially updated touch position. (Step S1 → S2 → S4 → S
9, S10).

Therefore, according to the input function of the touch pad in the personal computer having the above configuration, a predetermined area in the upper right corner, which cannot be touched with the fingertip of the touch pad 3, is touched by the pen, and the coordinate data of the touch position is detected. Then, the control unit (CPU) 11 is set to the handwriting recognition mode, the trajectory of the coordinate data detected by the touch pad 3 is sequentially stored in the detected coordinate memory 14b in the RAM 14, and according to the trajectory of the coordinate data. In a normal input mode in which a handwritten character or symbol is recognized and a predetermined area of the touch pad 3 is not touch-operated by a pen, relative to coordinate data detected by the touch pad 3, Since the moving position of the cursor displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 4 is controlled, one touch Character by handwriting by the pad 3 can be performed by switching the moving operation of the input operation and the cursor symbol, even a small personal computer (PC), it is possible to increase the input function sufficiently.

In the first embodiment, switching from the normal input mode to the handwriting recognition mode is performed by performing a touch operation on a predetermined area of the touch pad 3. However, the following second embodiment is employed. As described in the embodiment, a process of recording and recognizing a trajectory of coordinates input by handwriting according to whether or not a pressing force of a touch operation on the touch pad 3 exceeds a predetermined pressure value, and a process of recognizing a cursor on a display screen. It may be configured to switch between processing for controlling movement.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment (part 1) of the touch pad input processing in the personal computer.

In the touchpad input processing of the second embodiment, the touchpad 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a function of detecting a pressing force accompanying the touch operation.
In the RAM 14 shown in FIG. 4, a detected pressure memory 14f in which a pressure value detected by the pressing force detecting function of the touch pad 3 is updated and stored in real time,
In addition, a timer memory 14g that counts up a predetermined time in response to a clock signal from a clock circuit built in the control unit (CPU) 11 is additionally provided.

The function of detecting the pressing force of the touch pad 3 may be, for example, a pressure sensor provided on the back surface of the touch pad 3 or a pressing force detected by the touch operation of the touch pad 3. The magnitude of the pressing force may be relatively detected according to the magnitude of the coordinate range.

That is, as the touch operation on the touch pad 3 is performed, the coordinate data of the touch position detected by the touch pad 3 and the pressing of the touch operation detected by the pressing force detecting function of the touch pad 3 are performed. When the pressure value is input to the control unit (CPU) 11, it is determined whether the pressure value of the touch operation exceeds a predetermined value (step A1).

Here, if it is determined that the pressing pressure value accompanying the touch operation exceeds a predetermined value, the locus of the coordinate data of the touch position detected by the touch pad 3 is detected by the detected coordinates in the RAM 14. It is determined whether or not the recording is being performed on the memory 14b. If it is determined that the coordinate locus is not being recorded, the gesture command recording process is started, and the gesture command is sequentially detected along with the user operation on the touch pad 3. The locus of the coordinate data of the touch position
4 is recorded in the detected coordinate memory 14b (step A1 → A2 → A3, A4). Then, the count-up of a certain time in the timer memory 14g is started (step A5).

Thereafter, when the pressing pressure value of the touch operation by the user on the touch pad 3 exceeds a predetermined value, the locus of the coordinate data of the touch position sequentially detected by the touch pad 3 repeatedly and continuously. RAM1
4, and each time, the count-up operation for a fixed time in the timer memory 14g is cleared and started (step A).
1 → A2 → A6, A5).

When it is determined that the pressing pressure value of the user's touch operation on the touch pad 3 does not exceed the predetermined value, and it is determined that the track of the detected coordinate data is being recorded, the RAM 14 Whether the timed data counted up by the timer memory 14g within the predetermined time has reached a predetermined time (predetermined time), that is, the pressing pressure value accompanying the touch operation on the touch pad 3 has decreased to a predetermined value or less. Depending on whether or not the time has reached a predetermined time (predetermined time) continuously, whether the cause of the decrease in the pressing pressure value is due to, for example, the completion of input of characters or symbols by handwriting, or Then, it is determined whether or not the handwritten character or symbol is involved in the movement between strokes (steps A1 → A7 → A8). Here, the continuous pressing pressure drop time does not reach a certain time (predetermined time), that is, a temporary drop in the pressing pressure accompanying movement between strokes and the like during input of handwritten characters and symbols. If it is determined that there is, the recording of the coordinate locus detected by the touch pad 3 in the detected coordinate memory 14b is continued (steps A8 → A9).

Thereafter, similarly to the above, the locus recording processing of the touch position coordinates detected by the touch pad 3 at a pressure value exceeding a predetermined value is repeated (steps A1 to A6).
Later, it is determined again that the touch pressure has been reduced, and it is determined that the time of the reduced pressure has reached a certain time (predetermined time). Is that both the recording process of the coordinate data locus in the detected coordinate memory 14b in the RAM 14 and the count-up process of a fixed time in the timer memory 14g are stopped, and the recording process of the gesture command is stopped (steps A1 → A7 → A8 → A10, A11).

Then, the detected coordinate memory 1 in the RAM 14
At 4b, the trajectory of the detected coordinate data associated with the touch operation of the touch pad 3 recorded so far is read, and the pattern data of the command symbol that matches the trajectory of the touch position coordinate is stored in the gesture in the storage device 12. It is determined whether the command is stored in the command storage area 12b (steps A12 and A13).

Here, the pattern data of the command symbol corresponding to the locus of the touch position coordinates recorded in the coordinate detection memory 14b is stored in the gesture command storage area 12b.
If the command data is determined to be present in the RAM, the command data is stored in the input data memory 14e in the RAM 14, and a processing program corresponding to the command is started in accordance with the stored command data (step A13 → A14).

On the other hand, when the coordinate data of the touched position is detected and input to the control unit (CPU) 11 following the touch operation on the touch pad 3, the pressing pressure of the touch operation does not exceed a predetermined value. In addition, when it is determined that the coordinate locus is not being recorded, it is determined that the gesture command is not being recorded, so that the control unit (C
PU) 11, the coordinate data of the touch position is R
The liquid crystal display unit 4 is sequentially rewritten and stored in the detection coordinate memory 14b in the AM 14, and relatively corresponds to the coordinate data of the touch position that is sequentially updated.
Is moved (steps A1->A7-> A15, A16).

Therefore, according to the input function of the touch pad of the second embodiment in the personal computer, the pressing pressure accompanying the touch operation on the touch pad 3 is detected, and when the pressing pressure exceeds a predetermined value. The recording process of the gesture command is started, and the locus of the coordinate data of the touch position detected by the touch pad 3 is sequentially recorded in the detection coordinate memory 14b in the RAM 14. When the count-up data by the timer memory 14g, which is reset / started every time the coordinate data locus is recorded, does not reach a predetermined time (predetermined time), the pressing pressure accompanying the touch operation decreases to a predetermined value or less. However, the recording process of the detected coordinate locus is continued as it is, and when the state in which the pressing pressure is reduced to a predetermined value or less continues for a predetermined time, the recording process of the detected coordinate locus is stopped, and the detected coordinate locus is stored in the detected coordinate memory 14b. The pattern data of the command symbol that matches the locus of the coordinates associated with the touch operation recorded up to that time is searched from the gesture command storage area 12b of the storage device 12, and the processing corresponding to this command is started. When the pressing force of the touch operation on the touch pad 3 is equal to or less than the predetermined value and the gesture command is not being recorded, the gesture command is relatively associated with the coordinate data detected by the touch pad 3,
The movement position of the cursor displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 4 is controlled.

Thus, the input operation of the gesture command and the operation of moving the cursor can be switched by one touch pad 3 by increasing or decreasing the pressing force of the touch operation, and a small personal computer (PC)
However, the input function can be sufficiently enhanced.

In the touch pad input processing of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the count-up processing for a fixed time by the timer memory 14g is reset / started every time the coordinates corresponding to the touch position are detected and recorded. Within this fixed time, even if the pressing force of the touch operation is reduced to a predetermined value or less, it is determined that the movement between strokes due to the handwriting input of characters and symbols, and the detection and recording of the coordinates are continued. However, when performing handwriting input of a single-stroke character or symbol, for example, it is not necessary to perform the condition determination using the timer. In such a case, as shown in FIG. This can be simplified to a touchpad input process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment (part 2) of the touch pad input processing in the personal computer.

In each touch pad input processing of the second embodiment (part 1) and (part 2) in FIGS.
Although the description has been given of a case where the symbol pattern of the gesture command is targeted as the data to be recorded and recognized as the hand-drawn coordinate locus for the touch operation, the storage device 12
By performing a match search with characters and symbol patterns stored in advance in the character recognition dictionary storage area 12c, the same operation as described above can be performed to increase or decrease the pressing pressure.
Of course, it is of course possible to appropriately perform input processing of characters and symbols by handwriting recognition.

In the second embodiment, it is determined that the pressing force of the touch operation on the touch pad 3 has decreased to a predetermined value or less, and the detection coordinate memory 14 in the RAM 14 is determined.
b, read the locus of the detected coordinates recorded so far,
Gesture command symbol patterns, recognition dictionary characters,
Although a search for a match with a symbol pattern is performed to recognize a handwritten input gesture command and to recognize and input characters and symbols, as will be described in the third embodiment, a push associated with a touch operation will be described. When the pressure exceeds a predetermined value and the trajectory recording process of the touch position coordinate is started, every time the trajectory of the touch position coordinate detected by the touch pad 3 is recorded in the detection coordinate memory 14 b in the RAM 14. A configuration may be adopted in which matching search with the recognition character and symbol pattern corresponding to the trajectory data up to that time is sequentially performed, and when the matching data is searched and handwritten recognition is performed, the coordinate trajectory recording process is stopped. .

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the touch pad input processing in the personal computer.

First, as the touch operation is performed on the touch pad 3, coordinate data of the touch position detected by the touch pad 3 and the pressing of the touch operation detected by the pressing force detecting function of the touch pad 3 are performed. When the pressure value is input to the control unit (CPU) 11, it is determined whether or not the pressing pressure value of the touch operation exceeds a predetermined value (step B1 → B2).

Here, when it is determined that the pressing pressure value associated with the touch operation exceeds a predetermined value, the recording process of the gesture command is started, and the gesture command is sequentially detected in accordance with the user operation on the touch pad 3. The locus of the coordinate data of the touched position is recorded in the detected coordinate memory 14b in the RAM 14 (steps B2 → B3, B4).

Then, the locus of the detected coordinate data associated with the touch operation of the touch pad 3 recorded in the detected coordinate memory 14b is read out, and the pattern data of the command symbol corresponding to the locus of the touch position coordinates is stored. It is determined whether or not it exists in the gesture command storage area 12b in the device 12 (steps B5 and B6).

Here, the pattern data of the command symbol corresponding to the locus of the touch position coordinates recorded in the coordinate detection memory 14b is stored in the gesture command storage area 12b.
If it is determined that the touch pad does not exist, the touch pad 3
The trajectory of the coordinate data of the touch position sequentially detected by (1) is continuously recorded in the detected coordinate memory 14b (steps B6 → B1 → B7), and is recorded each time the coordinate trajectory is recorded. The coordinate locus is read,
The process of determining a match with the command symbol pattern is repeated (steps B5 and B6).

The pattern data of the command symbol that matches the locus of the touch position coordinates recorded in the coordinate detection memory 14b is stored in the gesture command storage area 12b.
If the command data is determined to exist in the
The command is stored in the input data memory 14e in the RAM 14, and a processing program corresponding to the command is started according to the stored command data (step B6 →
B8).

Then, the recording process of the coordinate data locus in the detection coordinate memory 14b is stopped, and the recording process of the gesture command is stopped (steps B9 and B1).
0).

On the other hand, when coordinate data of the touch position is detected and input to the control unit (CPU) 11 in accordance with the touch operation on the touch pad 3, when the coordinate locus is not being recorded, the touch operation of the touch operation is not performed. If it is determined that the pressure does not exceed the predetermined value, it is determined that the gesture command is not being recorded, so the control unit (CPU) 1
1 is stored in the RAM 14
The cursor displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit 4 is sequentially rewritten and stored in the detected coordinate memory 14b, and is relatively associated with the coordinate data of the touch position that is sequentially updated. Is moved (steps B1 → B2 → B11, B12).

Therefore, according to the input function of the touch pad of the third embodiment in the personal computer, the pressing pressure accompanying the touch operation on the touch pad 3 is detected, and when the pressing pressure exceeds a predetermined value. The trajectory of the coordinate data of the touch position detected by the touch pad 3 is sequentially recorded in the detection coordinate memory 14b in the RAM 14 and the trajectory of the touch position detected by the touch pad 3 is recorded in the detection coordinate memory 14b. The pattern data of the command symbol that matches the trajectory of the coordinate associated with the touch operation performed is sequentially searched from the gesture command storage area 12b of the storage device 12, and when the matching command symbol is searched, the command corresponding to the command is corresponded. Processing is started. Then, the coordinate locus recording process and the gesture command recording process are stopped. If the pressing force of the touch operation on the touch pad 3 is equal to or less than a predetermined value while the gesture command is not being recorded, the liquid crystal display is relatively associated with the coordinate data detected by the touch pad 3. The moving position of the cursor displayed on the unit 4 is controlled.

Thus, the input operation of the gesture command and the operation of moving the cursor can be switched by one touch pad 3 by increasing or decreasing the pressing force of the touch operation, and a small personal computer (PC)
However, the input function can be sufficiently enhanced.

In the touch pad input processing of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a case has been described where the data of the coordinate trajectory of a handwritten touch operation is recorded and recognized is a symbol pattern of a gesture command. Is the character recognition dictionary storage area 12 of the storage device 12.
By performing a matching search with the character and symbol patterns stored in advance in c, the operation of increasing or decreasing the pressing pressure accompanying the same touch operation as described above can appropriately perform the character and handwriting recognition.
Of course, it is also possible to perform a symbol input process.

In the first embodiment, the normal input mode in which a touch operation with a pen on a predetermined area where a touch operation is not possible with a fingertip on the touch pad 3 is detected and determined, and the movement of a cursor corresponding to the touch operation is controlled is performed. Switching to a handwriting recognition mode for recognizing characters and symbols input by handwriting is performed. In the second and third embodiments, the pressing pressure accompanying the touch operation on the touchpad 3 has a predetermined value. The switching from the normal input mode to the handwriting recognition mode is performed by detecting and judging that the key unit 2 is exceeded. However, as described in the fourth embodiment, when the touch operation on the touch pad 3 is performed, the key unit 2 is pressed. Presence or absence of key operation in
The switching between the normal input mode and the handwriting recognition mode, and the switching between the character and symbol recognition processing and the range designation processing in the handwriting recognition mode may be performed according to the type of the key operation.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a touch pad input process in the personal computer according to a fourth embodiment.

In the touchpad input processing of the fourth embodiment, the function key F1
Will be described as a left button and F2 as a right button.

When a touch operation is performed on the touch pad 3 and XY coordinate data of a touch position detected by the touch pad 3 is input to the control unit (CPU) 11, a right button (function key F2) of the key unit 2 is pressed. ) Is operated, the left button (function key F1) is operated, or the left or right button (F1,
It is determined whether there is a key operation of F2) (step C1 →
C2 → C9).

Here, when it is determined that the right button (F2) of the key unit 2 is operated, the detected coordinate data corresponding to the touch operation on the touch pad 3 is fetched and the detected coordinate data is stored in the detected coordinate memory 14b in the RAM 14. The storage process is continuously repeated until the coordinate detection accompanying the touch operation disappears or the operation of the right button (F2) disappears (steps C2 → C3 to C6 → C).
3).

In this manner, in a state where the coordinate data locus of the touch position sequentially detected with the touch operation on the touch pad 3 is stored in the detected coordinate memory 14b, the touch operation is terminated or Button (F
If it is determined that operation 2) has disappeared,
According to the locus data of the touch position coordinates stored in the detection coordinate memory 14b, the pattern data of various characters and symbols and the gesture command storage area 12b stored in advance in a character recognition dictionary storage area 12c in the storage device 12 Based on the pattern data of the various command symbols stored in, the recognition of a handwritten input character or symbol or the recognition of a gesture command is performed, and the text data or command data of the recognized character or symbol is The data is stored in the input data memory 14e in the RAM 14 (step C5 (C6) → C7).

Then, the text data stored in the input data memory 14e in the RAM 14 is written into the display data memory 14a as bitmap data and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 14, or
A process corresponding to the command is executed in accordance with the command data stored in e (step C8).

On the other hand, when a touch operation is performed on the touch pad 3 and XY coordinate data of a touch position detected by the touch pad 3 is input to the control unit (CPU) 11, the left button of the key unit 2 (F1)
When it is determined that is operated, the capture of the detected coordinate data according to the touch operation on the touch pad 3 and the range designation processing on the display screen relatively corresponding to the detected coordinate data perform the touch operation. It is continuously repeated until the accompanying coordinate detection disappears or the operation of the left button (F1) disappears (step C9 → C10 to C1).
3 → C10).

In this way, the coordinate data of the touch position sequentially detected in accordance with the touch operation on the touch pad 3 is fetched, and the range designation processing on the display screen relatively corresponding to the detected coordinate data is performed. In this state, if it is determined that the touch operation is terminated or the left button (F1) is no longer operated, the range designation processing on the display screen corresponding to the detected coordinate data is terminated (step C12 (C13) → C14).

On the other hand, when a touch operation is performed on the touch pad 3 and XY coordinate data of a touch position detected by the touch pad 3 is input to the control unit (CPU) 11, the right button of the key unit 2 is pressed. (Function key F2) and left button (Function key F1)
When it is determined that there is no key operation of any of the buttons (F1, F2), the coordinate data of the input touch position is R
The liquid crystal display unit 4 is sequentially rewritten and stored in the detection coordinate memory 14b in the AM 14, and relatively corresponds to the coordinate data of the touch position that is sequentially updated.
Is moved (steps C1, C2, S9, C15, C16).

Therefore, according to the input function of the touch pad of the fourth embodiment in the personal computer having the above configuration, the coordinate data detected by the touch pad 3 accompanying the touch operation of the touch pad 3 is transmitted to the control unit (CP).
U) 11, the right button (F) of the key unit 2
When 2) is operated, recognition of characters and symbols is performed according to the locus of sequentially input coordinate data, and when the left button (F1) is operated, the sequentially input coordinates are used. When a range is specified on the display screen in relative relation to the data, and when neither the right button (F2) nor the left button (F1) is operated, relative to the sequentially input coordinate data. The position of the cursor movement on the display screen is controlled in correspondence with the above operation. Therefore, it is possible to switch between the input operation of the character and the symbol by handwriting, the operation of specifying the range, and the operation of moving the cursor by one touch pad 3. Thus, even a small personal computer (PC) can sufficiently enhance its input function.

The method described in each of the above embodiments, that is, the touch pad input processing of the first embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, and the touch pad input processing of the second embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 (FIG. 7). Processing, FIG.
The touch pad input process of the third embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 and the touch pad input process of the fourth embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. , A RAM card, etc.), a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), an external recording medium 13 such as a semiconductor memory, and the like. And
The computer reads the program recorded on the external recording medium 13 via a recording medium reading unit (for example, a magnetic disk device), and the operation is controlled by the read program. Realize input function with touch operation,
Similar processing can be performed by the above-described methods.

[0077]

As described above, according to the handwriting input device of the first aspect of the present invention, by touching a predetermined area of the touchpad, recognition is performed from the movement control of the cursor according to the input of the touchpad. Can be switched to control of coordinate input for

Further, according to the handwriting input device of the second aspect of the present invention, by increasing the touch pressure of the touchpad above a predetermined value, it is possible to control the movement of the cursor in accordance with the input of the touchpad and to recognize the cursor. The control can be switched to the coordinate input control.

Further, according to the handwriting input device according to the third aspect of the present invention, by performing a predetermined key operation, it is possible to change from the movement control of the cursor according to the input of the touch pad to the control of the coordinate input for recognition. You will be able to switch.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to switch between the operation of moving the cursor on the display screen and the operation of handwriting input by using the touchpad as appropriate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary front view showing the external configuration of a personal computer (PC) according to an embodiment of a handwriting input device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of the personal computer (PC).

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a data storage area secured in a storage device of the personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a configuration of a data memory secured in a RAM of the personal computer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a touch pad input process in the personal computer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment (part 1) of touch pad input processing in the personal computer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment (part 2) of the touch pad input processing in the personal computer.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of a touch pad input process in the personal computer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of the touchpad input processing in the personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body case, 1a ... Base case, 1b ... Cover case, 2 ... Key unit, 3 ... Touch pad, 4 ... Liquid crystal display part, 11 ... Control part (CPU), 12 ... Storage device, 12a ... Program storage area, 12b: Gesture command storage area, 12c: Character recognition dictionary storage area, 13: External recording medium, 14: RAM, 14a: Display data memory, 14b: Detection coordinate memory, 14c: Input mode memory, 14d: Recognition data memory, 14e ... input data memory, 14f ... detected pressure memory, 14g ... timer memory, 15 ... power supply unit.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Takashi Akutsu 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office F-term (reference) 5B068 AA25 BC03 BD02 BD13 BD20 BE01 CC11 CC13 CC18 CC19 CD05 5B087 AE09 BC00 BC03 DD06 DD17 DJ03 DJ09

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A handwriting input device comprising a touchpad, wherein a handwriting input device moves a cursor displayed on a screen in response to an input of the touchpad by moving a touch position on the touchpad. Determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined area of the touch pad has been touched; and if the determining means determines that a predetermined area of the touch pad has been touched, the coordinates for recognizing an input on the touch pad thereafter. A handwriting input device comprising: a control unit for inputting. 2. A handwriting input device comprising a touchpad, wherein a handwriting input device moves a cursor displayed on a screen in response to an input to the touchpad by moving a touch position on the touchpad, wherein the touchpad touches the touchpad. Judging means for judging whether the pressure has exceeded a predetermined value; and when the judging means judges that the touch pressure of the touch pad has exceeded a predetermined value, thereafter, the input on the touch pad is recognized. And a control means for inputting coordinates for the handwriting. 3. A handwriting input device comprising a touchpad, wherein a cursor displayed on a screen moves in response to an input of the touchpad by moving a touch position on the touchpad, wherein a predetermined key is operated. Determining means for determining whether a predetermined key has been operated by the determining means, and control means for converting input on the touch pad into coordinate input for recognition. A handwriting input device comprising: 4. A recording medium on which a handwriting input processing program for controlling a computer of an input device having a touchpad is recorded, wherein the computer is operated by moving a touch position on the touchpad. First control means for moving a cursor displayed on the screen in response to the input of: a determining means for determining whether a predetermined area of the touch pad has been touched; and a determining area for touching a predetermined area of the touch pad. If it is determined that the input has been performed, a recording medium on which a handwriting input processing program for functioning as a second control unit for converting the input on the touchpad into a coordinate input for recognition thereafter. 5. A recording medium recording a handwriting input processing program for controlling a computer of an input device having a touchpad, the computer comprising: a touchpad that moves a touch position on the touchpad. First control means for moving a cursor displayed on the screen in response to the input of: a determining means for determining whether or not the touch pressure of the touchpad has exceeded a predetermined value; If it is determined that the predetermined value has been exceeded, thereafter, a handwriting input processing program for functioning as a second control unit for converting an input on the touchpad into a coordinate input for recognition is recorded. recoding media. 6. A recording medium storing a handwriting input processing program for controlling a computer of an input device having a touchpad, the computer comprising: a touchpad that moves a touch position on the touchpad. A first control means for moving a cursor displayed on the screen in response to the input of a command; a judgment means for judging whether a predetermined key is operated; and the judgment means judges that the predetermined key is operated. In this case, a recording medium recording a handwriting input processing program for functioning as second control means for converting an input on the touch pad into a coordinate input for recognition.