JP2001005911A - Character input device and display controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make performable handwriting input of characters with an operational feeling being the same as that before change even in the case of changing the image size. SOLUTION: A character input picture having a plurality of input frames is shown on a displaying part 112. When an instruction for the size change of the character input picture is given through an inputting part 101, a layout controlling part 104 changes the sizes of areas other than the respective input frames or prepares a layout obtained by changing the number of the respective input frames on the basis of a changed picture size. The character input picture following the layout is shown on the part 112 through a display controlling part 110. Thus, an inputting person can always perform handwriting input of characters in input frames of a fixed size with operational feeling being the same as that before change even in the case of changing a picture size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device used for a pen PC, a portable terminal device or the like, and more particularly to a character input device suitable for use in changing the size of a character input screen having an input frame. The present invention relates to a display control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an interface for inputting characters by handwriting with a pen instead of a keyboard has been used in a pen PC, a portable terminal device, or the like. A program that implements such pen input is called a “pen input pad” or the like, and displays a screen for handwriting input (pen input screen), and the input user is provided in a plurality of input frames provided therein. Inputs a character by handwriting with a pen. Characters input by handwriting in the input frame are subjected to character recognition processing by a recognition engine, and the characters obtained as a result of the recognition are displayed in an editing area in the input screen.

The pen input pad is designed to be used for general purposes. For example, the screen of the pen input pad itself is changed according to the window display area of an application to be input (for example, a text editor or word processing software). The size can be changed arbitrarily. In this case, in the conventional pen input pad, when the screen size is changed, the size of the input frame provided therein is also changed according to the screen size.

[0004]

As described above, conventionally, when the screen size of the pen input pad is changed, the size of the input frame is also changed accordingly. However, in general, a method for recognizing handwritten characters using input frames is as follows.
The input character is determined based on the relative coordinates between the input frame and the character input in the frame. Therefore, even if the input user inputs the same character by hand, if the size of the input frame is changed by changing the screen size, the character input in the frame may not be correctly recognized. This is particularly problematic when inputting with consideration for the size of characters, for example, "a" and "@".

When a user's personal recognition dictionary (a dictionary in which user's handwriting data is learned and registered) is also used, the size of the input frame is changed so that handwriting data that has been registered in the dictionary will not match. However, even characters input by the same input user may not be recognized correctly. Further, even if the input user strives to input handwritten characters according to the standard dictionary, the input frame may not be able to grasp the tips of the input due to a change in the size of the input frame, and a correct recognition result may not be obtained.

[0006] As described above, when the screen size of the pen input pad is changed, the size of the input frame is also changed in accordance with the change, so that the character recognition performance is degraded.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a character input device and a display control method capable of inputting characters by hand with the same operational feeling as before the change even when the screen size is changed. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

The character input device of the present invention displays a character input screen in which a plurality of input frames for inputting characters by hand are provided in a predetermined size. When a screen size change is instructed, a layout is created in which the size of the area other than the input frames is changed based on the designated size, and the character input screen is displayed again.

According to such a character input device, when the screen size is changed, the size of the input frame remains unchanged,
Only the other areas are resized. Therefore, even if the screen size is changed, the input user can always input handwritten characters in the fixed-size input frame with the same operational feeling as before the change.

In the character input device according to the present invention, when a change in the size of the character input screen is instructed, the number of input frames is changed based on the designated size, and the changed number of input frames is changed before the change. The character input screen is redisplayed by creating a layout arranged in the same size as the above.

According to such a character input device, when the screen size is changed, the size of the input frame remains unchanged.
The number is changed according to the screen size. Therefore, even if the screen size is changed, only by changing the number of input frames, the input user can always hand-write characters in the fixed-size input frame with the same operational feeling as before the change.

[0012]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic hardware configuration of the character input device of the present invention. The present apparatus is realized by a computer such as a pen PC whose operation is controlled by reading a pen input program recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk.

As shown in FIG. 1, the character input device according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, and a ROM 13 connected to the CPU 11 via a system bus.
Further, a coordinate input device 14, a display device 15, an external storage device 16, and the like used as input / output devices are provided.

The CPU 11 controls the entire apparatus, and executes various processes by activating a program according to an input instruction. Here, a handwriting character input process is executed by starting a software program for realizing a pen input pad. The ROM 12 stores the CPU 11
, A display font and the like are stored in advance. The RAM 13 is used as a main memory during operation, and temporarily stores various data necessary for the apparatus.

The coordinate input device 14 comprises a pressure-sensitive transparent tablet and a pen, and obtains a pattern of characters input by handwriting as time-series coordinate data. The display device 15 includes a liquid crystal display, and displays data. Note that the transparent tablet of the coordinate input device 14 and the liquid crystal display of the display device 15 have the same dimensions and the same coordinates, and the transparent tablet is laminated and integrated on the liquid crystal display to constitute an integrated input display device. ing. This makes it possible to directly select information displayed on the liquid crystal display with a pen, display position data entered with the pen as a handwriting image on the liquid crystal display, and perform various information processing as if writing with a pen on paper. Is provided to the input person (see FIG. 2).

The external storage device 16 includes, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk device (FDD), a hard disk device (HDD), and an optical disk device. A program for controlling the apparatus via a recording medium is installed in the external storage device 16. This program is executed by the R through the external storage device 16 when the apparatus is started.
Downloaded to AM13. The CPU 11
The program downloaded to M13 is read, and a series of processes related to handwriting input are executed in a predetermined procedure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a character input screen displayed as an initial screen of the apparatus.

The character input screen 21 has an editing area 2 for displaying and editing characters obtained as recognition results.
2. Plurality for inputting characters by hand (here three)
"Size change" in addition to the input frames 23a, 23b and 23c.
Button 24, "Erase All" button 25, "End" button 2
Various operation buttons such as 6 are provided at predetermined positions. In the uppermost line of the character input screen 21, a title line 27 for displaying a currently open application name, a file name, and the like is provided for a predetermined size.

The input frames 23a, 23b, and 23c are areas for inputting characters by hand using a pen. The input frames 23a, 23b, and 23c are arranged in the lower part of the character input screen 21 in a line in the X direction. The sizes of these input frames 23a to 23c are always constant irrespective of the change in the screen size.

The "size change" button 24, the "delete all" button 25, and the "end" button 26 are operation buttons of a pen input pad, and are arranged on the right side of the character input screen 21 in a line in the Y direction. I have. These operation buttons have the same size. The “size change” button 24 is a button for instructing to change the size of the character input screen 21. The “delete all” button 25 is used to clear input characters. The “end” button 26 is used to end the character input operation.

In the character input screen 21 having such a configuration,
Input boxes 23a to 23c are input by the user using a pen.
When each character is handwritten and input one by one, the characters are sequentially subjected to character recognition processing, and the character (code data) obtained as a result of the recognition is input to the editing area 2 above the input frame.
2 is displayed.

Here, when the input person presses a "delete all" button 25, the input characters are cleared, and an "end" button 26
When is pressed, the character string in the editing area 22 is sent to the target application (for example, a text editor or word processing software). When the “size change” button 24 is pressed, the size of the character input screen 21 can be changed. The size is specified, for example, by dragging the edge of the window.

Next, the functional configuration of the character input device according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the character input device shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the present apparatus is composed of a control unit 100, an input unit 101, a display unit 112, and a storage unit 113 connected to the control unit 100. The input unit 101 corresponds to the coordinate input device 14 in FIG. 1 described above, and obtains, as coordinate data, a pattern of a character that is input by handwriting with a pen by the input user. By obtaining handwriting data of handwritten characters based on the information of the two-dimensional coordinate point sequence obtained in time series by the input unit 101, displaying the handwritten data and performing a character recognition process, a necessary character code can be obtained. Obtainable.
The display unit 112 corresponds to the display device 15 in FIG. 1 described above, and displays a character input screen 21 and the character input screen 21.
Display the handwriting data of the characters input by handwriting above,
The characters and the like obtained as the recognition result are displayed.

The control unit 100 shows the processing functions of the CPU 11 shown in FIG.
It comprises a layout control unit 104, a character recognition unit 108, and a display control unit 110.

The storage unit 113 is provided in the ROM of FIG.
12 and various dictionaries and buffers provided in the RAM 13.
3. Initial table 105, parts data table 10
6, a layout table 107, a recognition dictionary 109, and a character string data buffer 111.

The coordinate input control unit 102 includes an input unit 101
With respect to the information of the coordinate point sequence input from the (coordinate input device 14), what kind of input is performed is determined, and processing is passed to the corresponding control unit. The coordinate data buffer 103 is a buffer for holding information (handwriting data) of a coordinate point sequence of a character input by handwriting.

The layout control unit 104 is a central part of the present invention. The layout control unit 104 instructs the display control unit 110 to display the character input screen 21 as an initial screen with reference to the initial table 105, and is provided on the character input screen 21. In response to the instruction to change the screen size by pressing the "size change" button 24, the size of each part (excluding the input frame) on the character input screen 21 according to the designated size is referred to the part data table 106. By calculating or determining the number and intervals of the input frames suitable for the screen size, a process for providing an optimal layout without changing the size of the input frames is performed. The layout information of the character input screen 21 determined here is stored in the layout table 107.

The initial table 105 stores layout information (coordinate information of each part) of the character input screen 21 displayed as an initial screen in advance. The parts data table 106 stores information (default value, minimum value, interval minimum value) on the size of each part on the character input screen 21 (see FIG. 5). Layout table 107
Stores layout information (area data of each part) of the currently displayed character input screen 21 (see FIG. 4).

The character recognition unit 108 is a part for recognizing characters from handwriting data (input coordinate sequence) of handwritten characters using the recognition dictionary 109. Information necessary for character recognition processing, such as a reference character pattern and a character code corresponding to the character, is stored in the recognition dictionary 109 in advance.

The display control unit 110 stores the information on the character string recognized by the character recognition unit 108 in the character string data buffer 1.
After the data is stored in the display unit 11, the display unit 112 performs control such as display on the display unit 112 and display of handwriting data stored in the coordinate data buffer 103 on the display unit 112. Further, when the layout control unit 104 performs a layout change process of the character input screen 21, the display control unit 110 receives the instruction from the layout control unit 104 and performs a redisplay process of the character input screen 21. . Character string data buffer 111
Is a buffer for holding information on a character string recognized by the character recognition unit 108.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of the layout table 107 provided in the present apparatus.

The layout table 107 stores area data of each part on the currently displayed character input screen 21 as layout information of the screen. Here, the entire character input screen 21 and a plurality of input frames 23a
23c, edit area 22, "size change" button 24,
For the “delete all” button 25 and the “end” button 26, the X and Y coordinate values of two diagonal lines of the rectangles constituting those parts are set as layout data in the layout table 1 as area data.
07 is stored.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, rectangular points P11 and P1 constituting the entire screen of the character input screen 21 are displayed.
2 and the input frame 23 provided on the screen.
a, the rectangular points P21 and P22 constituting the input frame 23b
, The rectangular points P41 and P42 forming the input frame 23c, the rectangular points P51 and P52 forming the editing area 22, and the rectangular forming the "size change" button 24. Points P61 and P62, rectangular points P71 and P72 constituting the “delete all” button 25,
Rectangular points P81 and P8 constituting the "end" button 26
2 are stored.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of the parts data table 106 provided in the present apparatus.

The part data table 106 stores information (default value, minimum value, minimum interval value) on the size of each part on the character input screen 21. Here, a default value, a minimum value, and a minimum interval value of the input frame, the editing area, and the operation button are stored. When changing the layout of the character input screen 21, it is necessary to consider the minimum value and the minimum interval of each part set in the parts data table 106.

More specifically, the input frame 2 shown in FIG.
3a to 23c have the same size, and the default values of “50” in height and “50” in width are set in advance. In addition,
The vertical is the Y direction of the screen, and the horizontal is the X direction of the screen. Numerical values in the figure correspond to the number of display dots, and “50” indicates a length of 50 dots in units of display dots. Since the vertical and horizontal sizes of the input frames 23a to 23c are fixed, it is not necessary to set the minimum value. Also, the input frame 23
As a minimum value of the interval between a to 23c and other parts, “10” is set in the vertical direction (Y direction) and “1” in the horizontal direction (X direction).
"0" is set.

As for the minimum interval value, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, in the case of the first input frame 23a, the parts in the vertical direction with respect to the input frame 23a are the editing area 22 and the lower frame of the character input screen 21. The left and right parts are the left frame and the input frame 23b of the character input screen 21, and the minimum value of the interval between these parts is set to "10". Similarly, if the input frame 23b is the second frame, the parts in the vertical direction with respect to the input frame 23b are
And the lower frame of the character input screen 21. Parts in the left-right direction are an input frame 23a and an input frame 23c. The minimum value of the interval between these parts is set to "10".
In the case of the third input frame 23c, the parts in the vertical direction with respect to the input frame 23c are the edit area 22 and the lower frame of the character input screen 21, and the parts in the horizontal direction are the "delete all" button 25, Button 26 and the input frame 23b, and the minimum value of the interval between these parts is set to "10".

The editing area 22, a "size change" button 24, a "delete all" button 25, and an "end" button 26
For each of the operation buttons, a default value, a minimum value of the button size, and a minimum value of the interval with other parts are set in the part data table 106 in advance.

The default value of the editing area 22 is "2
0 ”and horizontal“ 170 ”, and the minimum values are vertical“ 10 ”and horizontal“ 80 ”. The minimum distance between the upper and lower parts and the left and right parts with respect to the editing area 22 is “10”. In the example of FIG.
Upper and lower parts with respect to the editing area 22 are a title line 27 and input frames 23a to 23c, and left and right parts are a left frame and a "size change" button 24 of the character input screen 21.

Also, a "size change" button 24, an "all erase" button 25, and an "end" provided as operation buttons
The buttons 26 are common settings, and the default values of the operation buttons are “20” vertically and “30” horizontally, and the minimum values are “10” vertically and “20” horizontally. The minimum distance between these operation buttons and the top, bottom, left and right parts is "10"
It is. As shown in FIG. 2, a "size change" button 24
Upper and lower parts are title line 27 and "delete all"
The buttons 25 are the right and left parts, which are the editing area 22 and the right frame of the character input screen 21. The upper and lower parts with respect to the "delete all" button 25 are a "size change" button 24 and an "end" button 26, and the left and right parts are input frame 2
3c and the right frame of the character input screen 21. The upper and lower parts for the "end" button 26 are the "delete all" button 25 and the lower frame of the character input screen 21, and the left and right parts are the input frame 23c and the right frame of the character input screen 21.

Next, the processing operation of the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Here, details of processing of a pen input pad for automatically setting an optimum layout by changing the number and intervals of input frames without changing the size of input frames when changing the screen size will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the present apparatus.

When the apparatus is started, first, the layout control unit 104 loads information of the initial table 105 and displays the character input screen 21 as shown in FIG. 2 on the display unit 112 as an initial screen of the pen input pad. Or initialization processing of various buffers such as transferring information of the initial table 105 to the layout table 107 (step S1).
1).

At the stage where the initialization is completed, when the input user performs an input operation using the pen on the character input screen 21 of FIG.
The input unit 101 composed of a tablet whose pen is pressed down
, And X and Y coordinate data corresponding to the pressed position are input (step S12). It should be noted that this coordinate detection method uses, for example, a general method performed by a pressure-sensitive tablet or the like.

After that, the processing shifts to the coordinate input control section 102. The coordinate input control unit 102 checks the positions of the input X and Y coordinate data on the character input screen 21 and refers to the layout table 107 to determine the input positions in the input boxes 23a to 23a.
It is checked whether it is within the area of 23c (step S1).
3). If it is a character input to the input boxes 23a to 23c (Yes in step S13), the coordinate input control unit 102 is inputting to the same one of the input boxes 23a to 23c that has been input immediately before. Or whether the input is being made in a new input box (step S14).
This determination is made by referring to the coordinate data buffer 103 storing the input coordinate point sequence up to immediately before and the layout table 107 storing the layout information of the currently displayed character input screen 21.

Here, if the input is made in the same box as the input box which has been input immediately before, it can be determined that one character is being input (No in step S14). The process proceeds to step 110, where the handwriting data is displayed in the input frame (step S15), and step S1 is performed.
Return to 2.

On the other hand, in step S14, if a character has been input in an input box other than the input box, it can be determined that the input of one character has been completed.
When an input for one character is determined (Yes in step S14)
s) The coordinate input control unit 102 reads out the coordinate point sequence input in the input frame up to immediately before from the coordinate data buffer 103 and gives it to the character recognition unit 108 to instruct a character recognition process. In response to this instruction, the character recognition unit 108 executes a character recognition process on the input coordinate point sequence with reference to the recognition dictionary 109 for character recognition. Note that the character recognition process uses a generally used method of recognizing handwritten characters, and is not directly related to the present invention.
The specific description is omitted. Character recognition unit 1
The recognition result (recognition candidate character) obtained in step 08 is stored in the character string data buffer 111.

When the recognition process for one character is completed, the process proceeds to the display control unit 110. The display control unit 110 reads the first candidate character of the recognition result from the character string data buffer 111 and displays it in the editing area 22 of the character input screen 21 (Step S17). At this time, the handwriting data displayed in the input frame is deleted, the coordinate point sequence for one character is deleted from the coordinate data buffer 103 through the coordinate input control unit 102, and the process returns to step S12.

Further, if the input person has input in other areas instead of inputting characters in the input box in step S13, the coordinate input control unit 102 determines that the input Button 24 is determined (step S18). This determination is made by referring to the layout table 107 to check at which position on the currently displayed character input screen 21 an input has been made. When an input is made at the position of the “size change” button 24 on the character input screen 21, it can be determined that the size change of the character input screen 21 has been instructed.

When the size change of the character input screen 21 is instructed (Yes in step S18), the layout control unit 104 receives the change size specified by the input person (step S19), and performs the following layout change processing. Execute Note that the size specification in step S19 is performed by a basic operation of a normal window such as capturing and dragging the edge of the window.

When the change size of the character input screen 21 is designated by the input user, the layout control unit 104 displays the edit area 22 and the "size change" button when the character input screen 21 is enlarged or reduced by the designated size. 24, how many input frames can be arranged in the area excluding the “delete all” button 25 and the “end” button 26 and at what intervals are calculated with reference to the part data table 106 (step S20). This calculation method will be described later in detail.

When the number of input frames and their intervals according to the change size of the character input screen 21 are obtained, the layout control unit 104 creates layout information in which the input frames are arranged with the numbers and intervals (step S21). ), A new character input screen 21 according to the layout information is displayed again on the display unit 112 through the display control unit 110 (step S22). After the layout information created at this time is stored in the layout table 107 (step S2).
3) Return to step S12.

In step S18, if the input user designates a part other than the input frame or the screen size change button, the coordinate input control unit 102 refers to the layout table 107 and clicks the "end" button. It is checked whether or not 26 has been pressed (step S24). If it is determined that the “end” button 26 has been pressed (Yes in step S24), a series of processing here ends, and
If the “end” button 26 has not been pressed, a corresponding process is performed (step S25), and the process proceeds to step S12.
Return to

Here, the layout change processing executed by the layout control unit 104 will be described with a specific example. Here, the edit area 22, the "size change" button 24, the "delete all" button 25, and the "end" button 26 are assumed to be changed at the same ratio in accordance with the screen size. The case where an input frame of a fixed size is arranged in the above will be described.

FIG. 7 is a specific example for explaining the layout changing process in the present apparatus. Now, assume that a character input screen 21 as shown in FIG. 7A is being displayed. The character input screen 21 includes an editing area 22, "size change"
Button 24, "Erase All" button 25, "End" button 2
The three input frames 23a to 23
c are arranged in a line in the X direction. When the size change of the character input screen 21 is instructed by pressing the “size change” button 24, the entire screen is enlarged or reduced according to the designated size at that time.

When the size of the character input screen 21 is changed, the input frame area 28 except for the edit area 22, the "size change" button 24, the "delete all" button 25, and the "end" button 26 is (X1, It is assumed that Y1) has been changed to (X2, Y2).

In such a case, first, it is determined whether the number of input frames is increased or decreased according to the following conditional expression.

If | X2−N × W− (N + 1) × Wm |> W + Wm (1) is satisfied and X2> N × W− (N + 1) × Wm (2) In the horizontal direction (X direction), the number of input frames is increased by n. If X2 <N × W− (N + 1) × Wm (3), the number of input frames is reduced by n in the horizontal direction (X direction).

Here, the number n for increasing or decreasing the number of input frames is obtained as follows.

N = | X2−N × W− (N + 1) × Wm | / (W + Wm) (4) Therefore, the number N ′ of new input frames is N ′ = N + n (5) or N ′ = N−n (6)

In each of the above equations, X2 is the length in the horizontal direction (X direction) of the input frame area 28 after the size change, N is the current number of input frames, W is the width of the input frame, and Wm is the width of the input frame. The minimum value of the interval in the horizontal direction (X direction), n is the number to increase or decrease the input frame,
N 'is the number of new input frames.

The interval Wx (Wm ≦ Wx) when each input frame is arranged according to the number N ′ of new input frames is obtained as follows.

Wx = (X2−N ′ × W) / (N ′ + 1) (7) For simplicity, it is assumed here that a plurality of input frames are arranged in a line in the X direction. , The number of input frames and the interval according to the screen size change were determined.
Even in the case of arranging in the direction, the same method as described above can be applied. In this case, considering the vertical width H of the input frame and the minimum vertical interval Hm, the number of input frames and the number of input frames corresponding to the vertical length (Y direction) Y2 of the input frame region 28 after the size change. What is necessary is just to calculate whether they can be arranged at such intervals.

In this way, when the size change of the character input screen 21 is designated, the number and the interval of the input frames are determined according to the input frame area 28 after the size change, and the determined number and the The layout information in which the input frames are rearranged at intervals is created, and the character input screen 21 is displayed again. FIG.
(B) shows an example in which one input frame 23d is added due to the enlargement of the screen size. This input frame 2
Each input frame, including 3d, is of fixed size. Therefore, even when the screen size is changed, the input user can always input characters by handwriting in the fixed-size input frame with the same operational feeling as before the change, and as a result, obtain a desired character as a recognition result. Will be able to

In the above embodiment, the editing area 22,
"Resize" button 24, "Delete All" button 25,
Although the “end” button 26 has been described as being changed at the same ratio according to the screen size, the layout can be changed to include these parts.

The layout change processing including each part will be described below.

When the layout is changed to include each part, a step S19a such as "calculate the size and interval of the operation button" is added between steps S19 and S20 in the flowchart of FIG. Will do.

When the change size of the character input screen 21 is specified by the input user (step S19), the layout control unit 104 first calculates the size of the operation buttons and the optimum value of the interval between them (step S19a). As shown in FIG. 5, the part data table 106 includes operation buttons (“size change” button 24, “delete all” button 25,
"End" button 26), input frame (input frames 23a to 23)
c), a default value and a minimum value regarding the size of the editing area 22, and a minimum value of the interval between other parts are set. With reference to the parts data table 106, the optimum values of the sizes of the operation buttons and their intervals are calculated from the changed screen size.

Next, the layout control unit 104 calculates how many input frames should be arranged in the area excluding the display part of each operation button after the size change, including the arrangement of the editing area. (Step S20). The calculation method at this time will be described later in detail. Then, based on the results of the steps S19a and S20, layout information in which the operation buttons, the editing area, and the input frame are rearranged is created (step S21), and the display control unit 1
The character input screen 21 after the layout change is displayed again on the display unit 112 via the display 10 (step S22). The layout information at this time is stored in the layout table 107 (step S23), and the process returns to step S12.

Here, a layout changing process including each part performed by the layout control unit 104 will be described with a specific example.

FIG. 8 is a specific example for explaining the layout changing process including each part in the present apparatus. now,
It is assumed that a character input screen 21 as shown in FIG. 8 has been displayed. The size of the character input screen 21 is “130 (450-320)” vertically and “250 (28) horizontally” as held in the layout table 107 shown in FIG.
0-30) ". The vertical size of the editing area 22 is “20 (360-340)” and the horizontal size is “170 (2
10-40) ", and the operation buttons (" size change "button 24," delete all "button 25," end "button 2
The vertical and horizontal sizes of 6) are “30” and “20”, respectively.

It is assumed that the input user has instructed to reduce the screen size to "100" vertically and "160" horizontally. The current vertical size of the operation buttons is “20” and the horizontal size is “30”
First, consider reducing this in accordance with the changed screen size. As shown in FIG. 5, in the parts data table 106, the minimum value of the interval between the operation button and another part is set to “10”. Therefore, when the vertical size is “20” and the minimum interval value is “10”, the sum of these vertical sizes is “100 (10 + 20 + 10 + 20 +
10 + 20 + 10) ". However, character input screen 2
Since there is a title line 27 in the upper part of 1, the title screen 27 including the title line 27 extends beyond the changed screen size such as "100" in height.

Therefore, the vertical size of the operation button is reduced to 1/2 to obtain "10". In this case, if the horizontal size is also reduced at a reduction ratio of 1/2, the result is “30” → “15”.
Since the minimum value in the horizontal direction of the operation button is “20”, the horizontal size of the operation button is determined to be “20”.

Next, the input frames 23a to 23c and the editing area 2
2. Set the layout. The horizontal size of the operation button after the size change is “20”, and when the left and right interval “10” is included, the operation button area has a horizontal “40”.
Therefore, the limitation on the horizontal size of the area where the input frames 23a to 23c and the editing area 22 are arranged is "120 (160-4
0) ".

Here, since the vertical and horizontal sizes of the input frames 23a to 23c are both fixed values "50", the horizontal size "12"
Due to the restriction of “0”, the number of input frames is two, and the interval is “1”.
0 ". Similarly, the maximum size of the editing area 22 is determined to be “110” in consideration of the space between the other parts and the restriction of the horizontal size “120”. Also, the vertical limit is "90 (value excluding the area of the title line 27)".
The maximum length of the editing area 22 is determined to be "10" in consideration of the interval with other parts.

The character input screen 21 laid out and displayed again in this manner is as shown in FIG. 8B. In the example of FIG. 8B, the editing area 22, the "size change" button 24, the "delete all" button 25, and the "end" button 26 are reduced in accordance with the screen size. 23a and 23b are arranged in the screen.

As described above, by changing the layout including each part, when the screen size is changed, it is possible to provide the character input screen 21 in which the parts are arranged in a well-balanced manner. Further, since the input frames have the same size, the input user can input characters by handwriting with the same operation feeling as before the change.

In the example of FIG. 8 described above, the case where the screen size is reduced has been described. However, the same applies to the case where the screen size is increased, and the optimal size for arranging each part according to the changed screen size is obtained. Just calculate the size and spacing. Although the specific calculation formula is not particularly described, the basic idea is the same as the method described with reference to FIG. 7, and the size and interval of each part are included according to a predetermined calculation formula. Just do the calculations.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, the screen size change is designated by a drag operation, but another setting method such as displaying a size change popup window and designating an arbitrary size may be used. . further,
Although general processing is described for the timing of starting character recognition and its recognition method, another method may be used. In short, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof.

Note that the method described in the above-described embodiment is a program that can be executed by a computer such as a pen PC, for example, a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD, etc.).
-ROM, DVD, etc.), writing to a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory and applying to various devices, or transmitting to a communication medium and applying to various devices. A computer that realizes the present apparatus reads the program recorded on the recording medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the program.

[0085]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the size change of the character input screen is instructed, the size of the area other than each input frame is changed, or the size after the change is changed. The character input screen is redisplayed by changing the number of input boxes based on the screen size, so even if the screen size is changed, the input user always performs the same operation on the fixed size input box as before the change Characters can be input by hand with a sense, and as a result, a desired character can be obtained as a recognition result.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic hardware configuration of a character input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a character input screen displayed as an initial screen of the character input device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the character input device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a layout table provided in the character input device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a parts data table provided in the character input device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the character input device.

FIG. 7 is a specific example for explaining a layout change process in the character input device.

FIG. 8 is a specific example for explaining a layout change process including each part in the character input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 ... Character input screen 23a-23c ... Input frame 24 ... "Resize" button 25 ... "Delete all" button 26 ... "End" button 27 ... Title line 100 ... Control unit 101 ... Input unit 102 ... Coordinate input control unit 103 ... Coordinate data buffer 104 ... Layout controller 105 ... Initial table 106 ... Parts data table 107 ... Layout table 108 ... Character recognition unit 109 ... Recognition dictionary 110 ... Display control unit 111 ... Character string data buffer 112 ... Display unit 113 ... Storage unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenichi Koga 1-3-3-1 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Yamazaki 1-3-3-1 Shinmachi, Ome-shi, Tokyo Toshiba F term in Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. (reference) 5B029 AA01 BB09 CC25 5B064 AB04 BA05 5B068 AA05 AA22 BD17 CC02 CD03 5B087 AE09 CC02 DD09 DD17 DE02 5E501 AA04 AC15 BA05 CA04 CB05 CC04 FA03 FA14 FA44 FB04

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A display means for displaying a character input screen provided with a plurality of input frames for inputting characters by hand at a predetermined size; a size change instructing means for instructing a change in the size of the character input screen; A layout creation means for creating a layout in which the size of the other area excluding the input frames is changed based on the designated size when the size change of the character input screen is instructed by the size change instructing means; A character input device, comprising: display control means for redisplaying the character input screen on the display means based on the layout created by the creation means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the layout creating means changes the number of the input frames based on a designated size, and changes the interval between the input frames in accordance with the change.
A character input device as described. 3. A display means for displaying a character input screen provided with a plurality of input frames for inputting characters by hand and operation buttons for performing various instructions in a predetermined size. Size change instructing means for instructing a change in the size of the character input screen by the operation of A layout creating means for creating a layout in which the input frames are arranged in the same size as before the change in the area excluding the operation buttons after the size change, and a layout created by the layout creating means. And a display control means for redisplaying the character input screen on the display means. 4. The layout creating means changes the size of the operation buttons based on a designated size, and changes the number of the input frames according to an area excluding the operation buttons after the size change. 4. The character input device according to claim 3, wherein a layout in which the input frames are arranged in the same size as before the change is created. 5. A character input screen in which a plurality of input frames for inputting characters by hand are provided in a predetermined size, and when a change in the size of the character input screen is instructed, the character input screen is displayed based on the designated size. A display control method, comprising: creating a layout in which the size of another area excluding the input frames is changed; and displaying the character input screen again based on the created layout. 6. A character input screen in which a plurality of input frames for inputting characters by hand are provided in a predetermined size, and when a change in the size of the character input screen is instructed, the character input screen is displayed based on a designated size. The number of each input frame is changed, a layout in which the changed number of input frames are arranged in the same size as before the change is created, and the character input screen is displayed again based on the created layout. Display control method. 7. A character input screen provided with a plurality of input frames for inputting characters by hand and operation buttons for performing various instructions in a predetermined size is displayed. When the size change of the character input screen is instructed, the size of the operation buttons is changed based on the specified size, and the input frames are the same as before the change in the area excluding the operation buttons after the size change. A display control method comprising: creating a layout arranged in size; and redisplaying the character input screen based on the created layout. 8. A character input screen provided with a plurality of input frames for inputting characters by hand and operation buttons for performing various instructions in a predetermined size is displayed. When the size change of the character input screen is instructed, change the operation buttons based on the designated size, change the number of the input frames according to an area excluding the operation buttons after the size change, A display control method comprising: creating a layout in which input frames are arranged in the same size as before the change; and redisplaying the character input screen based on the created layout.