JP2006146352A - Business form for electronic pen, font preparation system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a font preparation system for promoting the sense of purpose of learning by preparing a font unique for a user from characters written by an electronic pen. <P>SOLUTION: In this font preparation system 100, items on a business form 3 are configured of a font area and a radical area. A font preparation system 100 extracts font data from entry information by referring to a coordinate table 104. Also, the font preparation system 100 extracts radical data from the entry information by referring to coordinate information 104. Then, the radical data are stored in a radical DB7 so as to be associated with the radical ID or the like, and the plurality of stored radical data are combined so that new font data can be prepared. Then, the font preparation system 100 stores the font data prepared by combining the font data and radical data extracted from the entry information in a font DB8 by associating it with a font ID or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for creating unique font data using an electronic pen.

  Conventionally, users have filled in and filled out necessary documents such as applications submitted to government agencies, financial institutions, private companies and others (hereinafter referred to as “various application documents”) using a ballpoint pen. The documents were submitted. On the other hand, in recent years, electronic forms obtained by digitizing forms have been used in place of conventional paper forms. The electronic form is electronic data including a plurality of fields such as paper form entries. A user who creates a form reads an electronic form on a personal computer or the like and displays it on a display device, and inputs necessary items on the electronic form by operating an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The input items are acquired as electronic data and can be transmitted to the organization to which the form is submitted through a network or the like.

  However, when preparing various application documents to be submitted to public offices, financial institutions, private companies, etc., for users who do not have enough knowledge about how to operate personal computers, users who are not good at keyboard input, etc. It is often difficult to use the above-mentioned electronic form well. For such users, the method of pen input to a paper form is the easiest, as is conventionally done.

  In recent years, pen-type input devices called “electronic pen”, “digital pen”, and the like have appeared as effective input devices in such cases (hereinafter, referred to as “electronic pen” in this specification). A typical example is the “Anoto pen” developed by Swedish company Anoto. Anotopen is used in a pair with dedicated paper (hereinafter referred to as “dedicated paper”) on which a predetermined dot pattern is printed. In addition to the normal ink-type pen tip, the Anoto pen is equipped with a small camera for reading the dot pattern on the dedicated paper and a data communication unit. When a user writes characters on the special paper with an anotopen or checks an image that is designed on the special paper, the small camera detects the dot pattern on the special paper as the pen moves, and the user Entry data (also referred to as “stroke data”) such as written characters and images is acquired. This entry data is transmitted from the Anotopen to a terminal device such as a nearby personal computer or mobile phone by the data communication unit.

  A learning support system using such an anotopen is described in Patent Document 1. Specifically, in this learning support system, penmantic scoring and correction can be easily performed using an anotopen. However, the current penmanship curriculum of distance learning has the problem that it is difficult for students to achieve their goals.

  Patent Documents 2 to 5 describe techniques for creating unique font data from characters entered by a user.

JP 2003-109779 A JP 2000-66657 A JP 05-298305 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-21158 JP 10-333663 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and by creating font data unique to a user from characters entered by the user with an electronic pen, the purpose of learning can be promoted. An object is to provide a font creation system.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a dot creation pattern that can be recognized by an electronic pen is printed, and a font creation system that uses an electronic pen form composed of a plurality of items. Coordinate information storage means that is composed of a font area for recognizing information about the entire character entered in the item, and stores coordinate information in which the font area is associated with each position coordinate on the dot pattern And entry information obtaining means for obtaining entry information entered in the form by the electronic pen, and extracting font data corresponding to characters entered in each font area based on the coordinate information and the entry information A font extracted by the font extracting means in association with a font ID for identifying the character; It comprises a font storage means for storing data.

  In the font creation system of the present invention, for example, a user first enters characters in a font area that constitutes each item on a form using an electronic pen. The font creation system reads the dot pattern on the form along with the movement of the electronic pen, and acquires entry information regarding the characters entered by the user. Here, the entry information includes position coordinates on the dot pattern and image data of the entered characters. The entry information acquired by the electronic pen is acquired by the font creation system. The font creation system extracts font data corresponding to characters entered by the user in the font area constituting each item from the entry information by referring to the coordinate information. Here, the font data is specifically stroke data, image data, vector data, etc. of characters entered by the user in the font area. Then, the font creation system stores font data extracted from the entry information in association with information for identifying a character, for example, a font ID. According to this, the user can easily acquire font data unique to the user by entering some characteristic characters in the electronic pen form.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the item includes: a font area for recognizing information on the entire character entered by the electronic pen; and a radical area for recognizing information on a radical constituting the character. And the coordinate information associates the font area and radical area constituting each item with respective position coordinates on the dot pattern, and the font creation system includes the coordinate information and Based on the entry information, radical extraction means for extracting radical data corresponding to the radical entered in each radical area, and the radical extraction means in association with the radical ID for identifying the radical Creates new font data by combining the radical storage means for storing the radical data extracted by the plurality of radical data stored in the radical storage means Further comprising a font creation means, wherein the font storage means in association with the font ID for identifying the character font data and the font creation means the font extracting means has extracted stores font data created.

  In the font creation system configured as described above, the items on the form are composed of a font area and a radical area. The font creation system extracts character image data entered by the user in the font area constituting each item as font data from the entry information by referring to the coordinate information. In addition, the font creation system extracts radical data corresponding to the radical entered by the user in the radical area constituting each item from the entry information by referring to the coordinate information. Here, the font data is, specifically, radical stroke data, image data, vector data, etc. entered by the user in the radical area. Then, the font creation system stores the radical data extracted from the entry information in association with information for identifying the radical, for example, the radical ID. Furthermore, the font creation system creates new font data by combining a plurality of stored radical data. That is, by combining the radicals constituting the character, the user creates a new character that is not entered in the form using the electronic pen. Then, the font creation system stores the font data created by combining the font data extracted from the entry information and the radical data in association with the font ID or the like. According to this, it is possible to easily create font data of new characters that the user has not entered in the form using the electronic pen.

  In one aspect of the font data creation system, the font creation system includes a scoring information acquisition unit that acquires scoring information entered in the form using the electronic pen for characters entered in the form. And a pass / fail judgment means for judging whether or not the character entered in the form is acceptable based on the scoring information, and the font extraction means, when the pass / fail judgment means judges that pass, The font data is extracted based on the coordinate information and the entry information, and the radical extraction unit is configured to extract the radical data based on the coordinate information and the entry information when the pass / fail determination unit determines pass. To extract.

  In the font creation system configured as described above, for example, a grader scores a form that has been completed by a user. The scoring information acquired by the electronic pen used by the scorer is acquired by the font creation system. Based on the acquired scoring information, the font creation system determines whether or not the characters entered by the user in each item on the form generally exceed the passing score. If the passing score is exceeded, the font creation system extracts font data from the entry information and stores it in association with the font ID. Also, radical data is extracted from the entry information and stored in association with the radical ID. In other words, the font creation system creates and stores font data based on the entry information only when the grader determines that it is acceptable. According to this, since font data is created based only on characters that pass a predetermined class and level, for example, in the case of penmanship, etc., it is possible to improve learning motivation by presenting font data to the user. it can.

  In another aspect of the font data creation system, the font creation system obtains scoring information entered in the form using the electronic pen for each character entered in each item constituting the form. Scoring information acquisition means, item scoring information extracting means for extracting, as item scoring information, stroke data corresponding to each item entered in the form from the scoring information based on the coordinate information, and based on the item scoring information Pass / fail judgment means for judging for each item whether or not the characters entered in the form are acceptable, wherein the font extraction means is based on the coordinate information and the entry information. Extracting the font data corresponding to the characters entered in the font area constituting the item determined to be acceptable by the means, and the radical extracting means includes the coordinate information and Based on the entry information, and extracts a radical data corresponding to the radical entered in radical area constituting the item of which acceptance judgment means has judged to be acceptable.

  In the font creation system configured as described above, for example, a grader scores a form completed by a user for each character entered in each item. The scoring information obtained by the electronic pen used by the grader is obtained by the font creation system. The font creation system determines, for each item, whether or not the characters entered in each item on the form by the user exceed the passing score based on the acquired scoring information and coordinate information. The font creation system stores font data and radical data corresponding to items exceeding the passing score in association with the font ID and radical ID, respectively. That is, the font creation system creates and stores font data based on the entry information only for characters that exceed the passing score among the characters entered by the user. According to this, even if it does not exceed the passing score as a whole, the font data can be created and stored as long as the passing score is exceeded for each character.

  In another aspect of the above font creation system, if there is data that continues in one stroke and characters entered in each font area, even if it is written outside the font area, it is extracted as font data, When there is data continuing in one stroke with the radical entered in each radical area, even if it is written outside the radical area, it is extracted as radical data. According to this, for example, even if there is a part that protrudes from the font area or the radical area due to a user's habit of entering characters in the form, the font data and radical data are appropriately extracted based on the entry information be able to.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a dot pattern recognizable by an electronic pen is printed, and the program is executed by a computer using an electronic pen form composed of a plurality of items. Coordinates that consist of a font area for recognizing information about the entire character entered in each item by a pen, and that store coordinate information that associates the font area with the respective position coordinates on the dot pattern Information storage means, entry information obtaining means for obtaining entry information entered in the form by the electronic pen, and extracting font data corresponding to characters entered in each font area based on the coordinate information and the entry information The font extracting means for extracting the character in association with the font ID for identifying the character. Font storage means for storing font data, wherein causing a computer to function as a.

  By executing the above program by a computer, the above-described font creation system can be realized. Each aspect of the above-described font creation system can also be realized in the same manner.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic pen form that is filled with an electronic pen including an ink pen unit and a reading unit that optically reads a dot pattern, and includes a plurality of items. Is composed of a font area for recognizing font data relating to the entire character entered in the item and a radical area for recognizing radical data relating to the radical constituting the character.

  The electronic pen used in the electronic pen form configured as described above acquires, for example, stroke data and image data of characters entered by the user by reading a dot pattern. Thus, by configuring the items on the form from the font area and the radical area, the user can easily recognize the font data entered in the font area and the radical data entered in the radical area, Can be distinguished.

  In another aspect of the electronic pen form, a sample of characters to be entered is described around the item. According to this, for example, a user who enters characters on a form can easily enter appropriate characters on appropriate items on the form using an electronic pen.

  According to the present invention, by creating font data unique to a user from characters entered by the user with an electronic pen, the purpose of learning can be promoted.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an outline of an electronic pen used as an input device in the system of the present invention will be described.

[Electronic pen]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing how the electronic pen is used, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the electronic pen. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic pen 10 is used in combination with a dedicated paper 20 on which a dot pattern is printed. The electronic pen 10 includes a pen tip portion 17 similar to a normal ink pen, and a user writes characters on the dedicated paper 20 in the same manner as a normal ink pen.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic pen 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a data communication unit 13, a battery 14, an LED 15, a camera 16, and a pressure sensor 18 therein. The electronic pen 10 includes an ink cartridge (not shown) as a component similar to a normal ink pen.

  The electronic pen 10 does not convert the locus of the ink drawn on the dedicated paper 20 by the pen tip unit 17, but converts the locus coordinates of the movement of the electronic pen 10 on the dedicated paper 20 into data. While the LED 15 illuminates the vicinity of the pen tip 17 on the dedicated paper 20, the camera 16 reads the dot pattern printed on the dedicated paper 20 and converts it into data. That is, the electronic pen 10 can acquire a stroke generated when the user moves the electronic pen 10 on the dedicated paper 20 as image data or vector data.

  The pressure sensor 18 detects the pressure applied to the pen tip portion 17 when the user writes characters on the dedicated paper with the electronic pen 10, that is, the writing pressure, and supplies the detected pressure to the processor 11. The processor 11 switches the LED 15 and the camera 16 on and off based on the writing pressure data given from the pressure sensor 18. That is, when the user writes characters or the like on the dedicated paper 20 with the electronic pen 10, writing pressure is applied to the pen tip portion 17. Therefore, when the writing pressure exceeding the predetermined value is detected, it is determined that the user has started the description, and the LED 15 and the camera 16 are operated.

  The camera 16 reads the dot pattern on the dedicated paper 20 and supplies the pattern data to the processor 11. The processor 11 calculates X / Y coordinates on the dedicated paper 20 from the supplied dot pattern.

  The processor 11 acquires the writing pressure array data and the X / Y coordinate data while the description of the user is performed, and stores them in the memory 12 in association with the time stamp (time information). Therefore, data corresponding to the description content of the user is stored in the memory 12 in time series. The capacity of the memory 12 can be about 1 Mbyte, for example.

  All the acquired data is held in the memory 12 until a transmission instruction is given by the user. When the user issues a transmission instruction, the data communication unit 13 transmits the data in the memory 12 to the terminal device 25 within a predetermined distance from the electronic pen 10. Basically, once a transmission instruction is given, the electronic pen 10 transmits all the data stored in the memory 12 to the terminal device 25, so that the memory 12 is cleared. Therefore, when it is desired to transmit the same information to the terminal device 25 again after transmission, the user needs to write the description on the dedicated paper 20 again. In this case, the user only has to trace characters written on the dedicated paper 20 with an ink pen.

  The electronic pen 10 itself does not include a function button such as a transmission button, and a transmission instruction and other instructions are performed by a user checking the dedicated box provided at a predetermined position on the dedicated paper 20 with the electronic pen 10. Executed. A transmission instruction is associated with the position coordinates of the dedicated box in advance. When the processor 11 receives the position coordinates of the dedicated box, the processor 11 supplies data in the memory 12 to the data communication unit 13 and transmits the data to the terminal device 25. To do. The electronic pen 10 can indicate completion of data transmission by vibration of the electronic pen.

  The battery 14 is for supplying power to each element in the electronic pen 10, and the electronic pen 10 itself can be turned on / off by a cap (not shown) of the electronic pen, for example.

  As described above, the electronic pen 10 has a function of acquiring coordinate data and writing pressure data corresponding to characters and the like described on the dedicated paper 20 by the user and transmitting them to the nearby terminal device 25. Since the pen tip portion 17 is a normal ink pen, the content described on the dedicated paper 20 remains as an original original. That is, at the same time as describing the original paper, its contents can be digitized in the form of coordinate data in real time.

  According to the standard function of the electronic pen 10, data obtained by the electronic pen 10 is in principle in the form of coordinate data or vector data, and is not text data. However, as a standard function, the electronic pen 10 has a function of converting text into alphanumeric characters by describing it in a dedicated area provided on the dedicated paper 20.

  Also, the electronic pen 10 can hold property information (pen information and pen owner information) regarding the pen itself and its owner, and can be referred to from an application. As the pen information, a battery level, a pen ID, a pen manufacturer number, a pen software version, a subscription provider ID, and the like can be held. The pen owner information can hold nationality, language, time zone, email address, free memory capacity, name, address, fax / phone number, mobile phone number, and the like.

  In the data communication unit 13 in the above example, the electronic pen 10 is connected to the terminal device 25 by various methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless transmission, wired transmission using a USB cable, and data transmission by contact with a terminal. It is conceivable to perform data transmission.

  Next, a method for acquiring X / Y coordinate data of contents described by the user with the electronic pen will be described. As described above, a predetermined dot pattern is printed on the dedicated paper 20. The camera 16 of the electronic pen 10 does not read the locus of ink described on the dedicated paper 20 by the user, but reads the dot pattern on the dedicated paper 20. Actually, as shown in FIG. 1, the illumination area by the LED 15 and the shooting area of the camera 16 (located in the illumination area) are deviated from the position where the pen tip portion 17 contacts the dedicated paper 20.

  The dot pattern is printed with a special ink containing carbon, and the camera 16 can recognize only the pattern with the special ink. Even if ruled lines or frames are printed on dedicated paper with inks other than dedicated ink (not including carbon), the electronic pen does not recognize them. Therefore, when creating forms such as various application forms using dedicated paper, input frames, ruled lines, cautions, etc. are printed with ink other than dedicated ink.

  In the dot pattern, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the position of each dot is associated with data. In the example of FIG. 3, the 2-bit information of 0 to 3 is displayed by shifting the dot position vertically and horizontally from the reference position (intersection of vertical and horizontal lines) of the grid. The position coordinates on the dedicated paper are determined by the combination of information expressed in this way. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, 36 dots are arranged in a grid within a range of 2 mm in length and width, and the data array (FIG. 4B) indicated by these dots is displayed on the dedicated paper. Are associated with the position coordinates. Therefore, when the camera 16 of the electronic pen 10 captures a dot pattern as shown in FIG. 4A, the processor 11 changes the data array shown in FIG. 4B based on the dot pattern data input from the camera 16. The position coordinates on the dedicated paper (that is, where the dot pattern is located on the dedicated paper) corresponding to the acquired position are calculated in real time. The minimum unit for recognizing the dot pattern is 2 mm × 2 mm, and the camera 16 takes about 100 shots per second.

  Next, the dedicated paper will be described. An example of the structure of the dedicated paper is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the dedicated paper 20 has a dot pattern 32 printed on a mount 30 and a design 34 such as a ruled line printed thereon. The mount 30 is usually paper, and the dot pattern 32 is printed with dedicated ink containing carbon as described above. Further, the design 34 is printed with normal ink or the like. The dot pattern and the design may be printed at the same time, or one of them may be printed first.

  An example of the design 34 is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example of a certain application form 36 in which a plurality of entry fields 38 and a transmission box 39 are printed. Although it is not clearly shown in FIG. 6 and will be described in detail later, a dot pattern is actually printed on the entire surface of the application form 36, and an entry box 38 and a transmission box 39 are formed on the entire surface using ordinary ink. It is printed. The user can enter the necessary items in each entry field 38 of the application form 36 using the electronic pen 10 in the same manner as a conventional application form without being aware of the dot pattern.

  The area on the dedicated paper 20 can be roughly divided into two types. One is an entry area, in which the content described by the electronic pen 10 is handled as information as it is. In the example of FIG. 6, a plurality of entry fields 38 correspond to this. The other is a functional element, and when the corresponding area is checked with the electronic pen 10, actions, instructions, etc. defined in advance for the area are executed. The transmission box 39 in the example of FIG. 6 corresponds to this.

  The transmission box 39 is used when giving an instruction to transmit data stored in the electronic pen 10 to the nearby terminal device 25 as described above. When the user checks the transmission box 39 with the electronic pen 10, the electronic pen 10 reads the dot pattern in the transmission box. The pattern is associated with a transmission instruction, and the processor 11 in the electronic pen 10 issues a command to transmit data stored in the memory 12 to the data communication unit 13.

  The assignment of dot patterns is usually performed for each application (paper type). In other words, the dot patterns in a certain application form do not overlap in one sheet, but the same dot pattern is printed on the same application form. Therefore, when the user inputs necessary items with the electronic pen 10, it can be specified from the coordinate data on the application form which item of the application form the input item is for.

  As described above, by printing a predetermined design on the dedicated paper on which the dot pattern is printed, various application forms using the dedicated paper can be created. If the user uses the electronic pen 10 and fills in necessary items in a normal manner, the electronic data is automatically acquired.

  In the above example, the dot pattern is printed on the dedicated paper with carbon-containing ink. However, the dot pattern can be printed on ordinary paper using a printer and carbon-containing ink. Furthermore, the design on the dedicated paper can also be formed by a printer instead of printing. When dot patterns are formed on paper by a printer, different dot patterns can be formed on each sheet. Therefore, it is possible to identify and distinguish each of these sheets by the difference in the formed dot patterns.

  In the present specification, the term “printing” has a concept including not only normal printing but also printing by a printer.

  Next, transmission processing of data acquired by the electronic pen will be described with reference to FIG. The data acquired by the electronic pen 10 is mainly data of items input by the user, but usually does not include information on where the service server that is the transmission destination of the data is. Instead, information specifying the application or service related to the dedicated paper is included in the dot pattern on the dedicated paper, and the information is acquired from the dedicated paper during the user's input operation. Therefore, the terminal device 25 that has received the entry data from the electronic pen 10 first makes an inquiry to the inquiry server 26 to which service server 27 the data input to the dedicated paper should be transmitted. The inquiry server 26 has information on a corresponding service server for each dedicated paper, and in response to an inquiry from the terminal device 25, information (such as a URL) of the service server 27 that performs a service related to the dedicated paper. Reply to the terminal device 25. Then, the terminal device 25 transmits the entry data acquired from the electronic pen to the service server 27.

  In the above example, the terminal device 25, the inquiry server 26, and the service server 27 are separately configured. However, some or all of them may be configured as one device. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a server described later also serves as the inquiry server 26 and the service server 27.

[Font creation system]
Next, the font creation system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of the font creation system 100. A font creation system 100 shown in FIG. 7 is capable of creating font data unique to a user based on characters entered by a user in an electronic pen form (hereinafter referred to as “form”). is there.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the font creation system 100 is configured by connecting a user terminal 45, a grader terminal 46, and a server 5 through the network 2. Here, one suitable example of the network 2 is the Internet. The user terminal 45 is a terminal that can exchange data via the network 2 such as a PC or a mobile phone used by the user. The grader terminal 46 is a terminal that can exchange data via the network 2 such as a PC or a mobile phone used by the grader. The server 5 is connected to a radical database (hereinafter referred to as “DB”) 7 and a font DB 8. FIG. 7 includes one user terminal 45 and one scorer terminal 46 as constituent elements for convenience, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of user terminals 45 and A plurality of grader terminals 46 may be included as constituent requirements.

  In the present embodiment, the user has taken penmanship correspondence education, and for the predetermined examination, the same character as the sample is entered with the electronic pen 10a in the form 3 distributed in advance. . That is, the user fills in the form 3 with the electronic pen 10a as if he / she filled in a normal answer sheet. Note that the form 3 created as a dedicated paper is used only for regular examinations and confirmation tests, and other correspondence education curriculum uses ordinary paper. It is good.

  First, an outline of a font creation method in this system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A is a sample for the user to enter characters, and FIG. 8B is a form in which the user has actually entered characters. The form 3 is created as the above-mentioned dedicated paper, and as shown in FIG. 8B, it is an answer sheet for a predetermined examination and is composed of a plurality of items. The item is composed of a font area for recognizing information on the entire character entered by the user with the electronic pen 10a, and a radical area for recognizing information on the radical constituting the character. The user refers to the sample as shown in FIG. 8A and enters characters with the electronic pen 10a in each item of the form as shown in FIG. 8B. That is, the user enters predetermined characters in a predetermined item on the form 3 using the electronic pen 10a. At this time, in the sample as shown in FIG. 8A, a character including a radical that becomes a component when creating font data is described. Specifically, characters including basic radicals such as “kihen” and “kusakumuri” are described.

  The electronic pen 10a acquires stroke data corresponding to the entered content, temporarily stores it in the memory 12 in the electronic pen 10a, and then transmits the stroke data to the user terminal 45. The user terminal 45 receives the stroke data entered by the user from the electronic pen 10 a and transmits it to the server 5 through the network 2. The server 5 acquires the stroke data as entry information related to characters entered in each item on the form 3 by the user.

  In addition, the user submits the form 3 in which predetermined characters are entered in each item using the electronic pen 10a to the grader by mail or FAX. Specifically, it may be submitted to a business that provides penmanship correspondence education. The grader corrects the form 3 using the electronic pen 10b different from the one used by the user. The grader can make corrections as if filling in a normal answer sheet. The electronic pen 10b acquires stroke data corresponding to the entered contents, temporarily stores it in the memory 12 in the electronic pen 10b, and then transmits the stroke data to the grader terminal 46. The grader terminal 46 receives the stroke data entered by the grader from the electronic pen 10 b and transmits it to the server 5 through the network 2. The server 5 acquires the stroke data as scoring information related to the symbols entered by the grader in association with the items on the form 3.

  Based on the acquired scoring information, the server 5 determines pass / fail of the certification test for the form 3 submitted by the user. If the certification test is passed, the server 5 extracts character image data written in the font area of each item as font data based on the coordinate table from the acquired entry information. When the certification test is passed, the server 5 extracts the radical image data written in the radical area of each item as radical data based on the coordinate table from the acquired entry information. In the present embodiment, image data created based on the stroke data included in the entry information is extracted as font data or radical data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and entry is performed. The stroke data itself included in the information may be extracted as font data or radical data.

  Then, the server 5 stores the extracted font data in the font DB 8 in association with the font ID for identifying the character. That is, the character image data entered in the font area is stored as it is. Further, the server 5 stores the extracted radical data in the radical DB 7 in association with the radical ID for identifying the radical. That is, character image data is decomposed for each radical area and stored as a part for creating new font data. Therefore, the server 5 can create new font data by combining the radical data stored in the radical DB 7, and can store the new font data in the font DB 8 in association with the font ID. it can.

  Thereby, the server 5 can acquire and store the font data unique to the user based on the character of the user determined to be passed by the grader. Further, by disassembling the characters and storing the image data for each radical, new font data can be created by combining the radical data. Specifically, a new common kanji can be created from the radical that is a character part entered by the user. Therefore, not only the characters entered in the form 3 by the user but also font data relating to new characters can be acquired and stored.

  By passing such font data along with the graded answer sheet and certificate when passing a predetermined certification test, the user can place the user in the corresponding folder in the PC in the same way as normal font data. It can be used freely just by placing unique font data. In other words, a document based on one's own handwriting can be easily created by using font data unique to the user. In addition, since the number and type of font data to be distributed can vary depending on the grade of the certification exam that has passed, the distribution of such font data will motivate users and encourage learning. Improvements can be made.

  The form 3 shown in FIG. 8B does not include a transmission box for convenience, but the form 3 is also provided with a transmission box having the same function as the transmission box 39 shown in FIG. .

[Form]
Next, the form 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a font area and a radical area constituting each item. In the system of the present invention, the form 3 as shown in FIG. 8B is created as the above-described dedicated paper. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a dot pattern 32 is printed on the mount 30, and a design such as a predetermined ruled line is printed thereon. As described above, the dot pattern 32 is printed with ink containing carbon so that the electronic pen 10 can recognize it. On the other hand, the design 34 such as a ruled line is printed with normal (not including carbon) ink, so the electronic pen 10 does not recognize it.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the form 3 includes a plurality of items for the user to enter predetermined characters with the electronic pen 10a. Furthermore, each item includes a font area 50 and a radical area 51 as shown in FIG. The font area 50 is an area for recognizing strokes of characters entered by the user, and the radical area 51 is an area for recognizing radical strokes constituting the characters entered by the user.

  First, with reference to FIG. 9A, a description will be given of a case where the radical data of the radical “kanmuri” corresponding to the upper part of the character entered by the user is to be acquired. In this case, as shown in the drawing, the entire item is the font area 50, and the upper part of the item indicated by diagonal lines is the radical area 51a. Therefore, for example, when the user enters the character “grass” in the item, the server 5 extracts image data of the entire character “grass” as font data from the entry information based on the coordinate table described later. Image data of the radical “Kusakamuri” with the characters “grass” is extracted as radical data.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9B, a case where the radical data of the radical “hen” corresponding to the left side of the character entered by the user is to be acquired will be described. In this case, as shown in the figure, the entire item is a font area 50, and the left side of the item indicated by diagonal lines is a radical area 51b. Therefore, for example, when the user enters the character “depth” in the item, the server 5 extracts image data of the entire character “depth” as font data from the entry information based on the coordinate table described later. Image data of the radical “Sansui” with the word “depth” is extracted as radical data.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9C, description will be given of a case in which the radical data of the radical “Making” corresponding to the right side of the character entered by the user is to be acquired. In this case, as shown in the figure, the entire item is the font area 50, and the right side of the item indicated by diagonal lines is the radical area 51c. Therefore, for example, when the user enters the character “comb” in the item, the server 5 extracts the stroke data of the entire character “comb” as image data from the entry information based on the coordinate table described later. The image data of the radical “Rumata” with the character “role” is extracted as radical data.

  In addition to the portions shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the radical area 51 can be arranged corresponding to various radicals.

  As described above, since the items on the form 3 are configured by the font area 50 and the radical area 51, the server 5 can use the font data related to the entire character entered by the user with the electronic pen 10a and the parts of the character. It is possible to easily extract radical data related to radicals.

[Scoring]
Next, the scoring performed by the scorer with the electronic pen 10b will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of determining pass / fail of the verification test based on the scorer's score and storing font data and radical data based on the determination result.

  The upper part of FIG. 10 shows a case where the grader determines that the characters entered in the form 3 by the user have reached a passing score comprehensively. Specifically, the grader uses the electronic pen 10b to enter a symbol (◯, etc.) indicating success in the form 3. Whether the server 5 previously stores the stroke data of the symbols that the grader intends to fill in as a symbol table, and refers to the symbol table based on the scoring information, so that the grader has entered a symbol indicating acceptance Determine whether or not. That is, the server 5 determines whether or not the characters entered in the form 3 by the user have reached a passing score comprehensively. If the server 5 determines that it is acceptable, the server 5 extracts font data and radical data from the entry information, and stores them in the font DB 8 and radical DB 7 respectively. In addition, since there are a plurality of users who have taken penmanship in correspondence education, when storing font data and radical data in the font DB 8 and radical DB 7, respectively, the server 5 is a user that identifies the user. Assume that the ID is associated.

  The middle part of FIG. 10 is a case where the grader determines that the characters entered in the form 3 by the user have not comprehensively reached the passing score. Specifically, the grader uses the electronic pen 10b to enter a symbol (letter etc.) indicating failure in the form 3. The server 5 holds the above-described symbol table in advance, and refers to the symbol table based on the scoring information to determine whether or not the scorer has entered a symbol indicating failure. That is, the server 5 determines whether or not the characters entered in the form 3 by the user have reached a passing score comprehensively. And when it determines with disqualification, the server 5 does not extract and memorize | store the font data and radical data which are contained in entry information. That is, font data and radical data are not stored in the font DB 8 and radical DB 7.

  The lower part of FIG. 10 shows a case where the grader determines, for each item, whether the characters entered in the items on the form 3 by the user have reached a passing score. Specifically, the grader uses the electronic pen 10b to enter a symbol indicating success (◯, etc.) or a symbol indicating failure (letters, etc.) for each item on the form 3. The server 5 holds the above-described symbol table and a coordinate table indicating the position coordinates of each item in advance, and determines pass / fail of each item by referring to the symbol table and the coordinate table based on the scoring information. To do. That is, the server 5 determines, one by one, whether or not the characters entered in each item on the form 3 by the user have reached a passing score. Specifically, the server 5 extracts the item scoring information corresponding to each item from the scoring information based on the coordinate table, and identifies the symbol entered by the grader from the item scoring information based on the symbol table. Determine pass / fail of the item. Then, the server 5 extracts only the font data entered in the font area of the item determined to be acceptable from the entry information and stores it in the font DB 8. Further, the server 5 extracts only the radical data entered in the radical area of the item determined to be acceptable from the entry information and stores it in the radical DB 7. According to this, when the characters entered by the user have not reached the passing score comprehensively, but there are characters that reach the passing score among them, the font data and the radical data are stored in the font DB 8 and the radical DB 7. Is memorized.

  When the scorer performs scoring by such a method, the server 5 can easily create user-specific font data according to the scoring result without the scorer being aware of the creation of the font data. It becomes.

  In the above embodiment, the grader uses the electronic pen 10b to enter a symbol on the form 3 for scoring. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the grader uses the form. It is good also as scoring by writing a symbol using the electronic pen 10b on an answer sheet different from 3.

  In the above-described embodiment, the server 5 automatically performs a pass / fail determination by the scorer using the electronic pen 10b to score. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the scoring is performed. It is also possible for a person to score with a normal pen and make a pass / fail decision with a human. In this case, the result of the pass / fail determination needs to be artificially recognized by the server 5.

[server]
Next, the server 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 shows an internal configuration of the server 5 in the font creation system 100 in particular. As illustrated, the server 5 includes a font creation program 101, a scoring information acquisition function 102, a symbol table 103, a coordinate table 104, a pass / fail determination function 105, an entry information acquisition function 106, a storage function 107, and a font data creation function 108. Has been.

  Each function is realized by the CPU included in the server 5 executing a program prepared in advance. Further, as shown in the upper and middle stages of FIG. 10, a case will be described in which the grader determines whether or not the characters entered by the user have comprehensively reached a passing score.

  The font creation program 101 determines pass / fail of the verification test related to the form 3 by referring to the symbol table 103 and the coordinate table 104 based on the scoring information acquired from the electronic pen 10b used by the scorer. Further, the font creation program 101 fills in the items constituting the form 3 by referring to the coordinate table 104 based on the entry information acquired from the electronic pen 10a used by the user based on the determination result of the verification test. The font data and radical data of the characters thus extracted are extracted and stored in the font DB 8 and radical DB 8 respectively. Further, the font creation program 101 creates new font data by combining the radical data stored in the radical DB 8 and stores the new font data in the font DB 8.

  The scoring information acquisition function 102 is a function for acquiring scoring information entered in the form 3 by the scoring person using the electronic pen 10b by executing the font creation program 101.

  The pass / fail determination function 105 is based on the scoring information acquired by the scoring information acquisition function 102 and the symbol table 103, and the characters entered in the form 3 by the user using the electronic pen 10a reach the passing score comprehensively. It is a function to determine whether or not

  Here, the symbol table 103 will be described in detail. The symbol table 103 is a table that stores stroke data of symbols that the grader enters in the form 3. Specifically, it is assumed that circle (◯) stroke data is stored as a symbol indicating acceptance, and cross (letter) stroke data is stored as a symbol indicating failure. In this case, the pass / fail determination function 105 can determine pass / fail by specifying the symbol entered by the grader by referring to the symbol table 103 based on the scoring information.

  The entry information acquisition function 106 is a function for acquiring entry information entered in the form 3 by the user using the electronic pen 10 a by executing the font creation program 101. The entry information acquisition function 106 further has a font data extraction function and a radical data extraction function. The font data extraction function is entered in the font area 50 of each item on the form 3 from the entry information acquired by the entry information acquisition unit 106 based on the coordinate table 104 when the pass / fail determination unit 105 determines pass. This is a function for extracting image data of a character as font data. Also, the radical data extraction function is used for the radical area of each item on the form 3 from the entry information obtained by the entry information obtaining unit 106 based on the coordinate table 104 when the pass / fail judgment unit 105 determines pass. This is a function for extracting the radical image data entered in 51 as radical data.

  Here, the coordinate table 104 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the coordinate table 104 includes font ID, font coordinate data, font content, radical ID, radical coordinate data, and radical content. The font area ID is information for identifying a font area arranged in the entire item. The font coordinate data is coordinate data indicating the arrangement of the font area on the dot pattern printed on the form 3. The font content is information indicating characters entered in the font area. The radical area ID is information for identifying a radical area arranged in the whole or a part of each item. The radical coordinate data is coordinate data indicating the arrangement of the radical area on the dot pattern printed on the form 3. The radical content is information indicating the radical entered in the radical area. Since the font area is arranged for the entire item, there is one font area in principle. However, since the radical area may consist of a plurality of radicals, It is not necessarily one. For example, since the character “comb” is composed of “Gyo-nen-ben” which is a dent and “Rumama” which is a structure, as shown in the drawing, two radicals are assigned to one font area ID. An area ID is stored.

  The font data extraction function is a function for extracting font data corresponding to each font area from the entry information acquired by the entry information acquisition function 106 based on the font coordinate data of the coordinate table 104. The radical data extraction function is a function for extracting radical data corresponding to each radical area from the entry information acquired by the entry information acquisition function 106 based on the radical coordinate data of the coordinate table 104.

  The storage function 107 includes a font data storage function and a radical data storage function. The font data storage function is a function for storing the font data extracted by the font data extraction function in the font DB 8 in association with the font ID and the user ID. The radical data storage function is a function for storing the radical data extracted by the radical data extraction function in the radical DB 7 in association with the radical ID and the user ID.

  Here, the radical DB 7 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the radical DB 7 includes a user ID, a radical ID, radical contents, and radical data. The user ID is information for identifying the user. The radical ID is information for identifying the radical. The radical content is information indicating the radical entered by the user indicated by the user ID using the electronic pen 10a. The radical data is radical data acquired from the electronic pen 10 a via the user terminal 45. In this way, by storing and managing radical data for each user, it is possible to easily create new font data unique to the user by combining a plurality of radical data by the font data creation function 108 described later. Can do.

  The font DB 8 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the font DB 8 is composed of a user ID, a font ID, font contents, and font data. The user ID is information for identifying the user. The font ID is information for identifying a character. The font content is information indicating characters entered by the user indicated by the user ID using the electronic pen 10a. The font data is font data acquired from the electronic pen 10a via the user terminal 45. In this way, by storing and managing font data for each user, the user's own font data can be distributed to each user, and learning motivation can be improved.

  The font data creation function 108 is a function for creating new font data unique to the user by combining the radical data stored in the radical DB 7. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a process of creating new font data by combining two radical data. Specifically, as shown in the figure, the font data creation function 108 combines “Sansui” radical data and “Rumata” radical data stored in the radical DB 7 for each user. Each user can create a new font data “Death”.

[Font creation process]
Next, a font creation process executed by the font creation system 100 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the font creation process. The user first learns from the sample using the electronic pen 10a and enters predetermined characters in the items on the form 3 related to the predetermined certification test. When the entry to the form 3 is completed, the user transmits the entry information to the server 5 via the user terminal 45 by filling a check mark in the transmission box. In addition, the user submits the completed form 3 to the grader by mail or the like. The scorer uses the electronic pen 10b to score the form 3 entered by the user. When the grading is completed, the grader transmits a check mark in the transmission box to transmit the grading information to the server 5 via the grader terminal 46.

  The server 5 acquires user information from the user terminal 45 (step S1), and acquires scoring information from the scorer terminal 46 (step S2). Then, by referring to the symbol table 103 based on the scoring information, the symbol entered in each form 3 by the scorer is specified (step S3). Furthermore, the server 5 determines pass / fail of a predetermined verification test based on the specified symbol (step S4). When the determination result is unacceptable, the server 5 ends the font creation process (step S4; No). On the other hand, if the determination result is acceptable (step S4; Yes), the server 5 extracts radical data from the entry information based on the coordinate table 104 (step S5). Also, font data is extracted from the entry information based on the coordinate table 104 (step S6). And the server 5 memorize | stores the extracted radical data in radical DB7 (step S7). Further, the server 5 creates new font data by combining a plurality of radical data (step S8). Then, the server 5 stores the font data extracted from the entry information and the font data created by combining the plurality of radical data in the font DB 8 (step S9). This completes the font creation process.

  In this way, by storing font data in the font DB 8 for each user, a vendor providing penmanship correspondence education, together with scoring papers and certificates when the user passes a predetermined class or level You can pass font data that can express your own personality. Note that the font data can be easily used just by placing it in a corresponding folder in the PC, as with normal font data.

  In addition, since the type of font data distributed in this way can vary the number and the difficulty of characters according to the grade and level that the user has passed, it can also be used to improve the user's desire to study. Furthermore, by comparing with the font data distributed in the past, the user himself / herself can check the progress of progress.

  In this embodiment, the image data or stroke data extracted from the entry information is used as font data or radical data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vector data may be extracted from the image data or the stroke data when the font data and the radical data are in the form of vector data. That is, the present invention may create font data and radical data by any method based on image data and stroke data.

  Further, in the present embodiment, following the sample as shown in FIG. 8A, the user enters characters into a form 3 composed of a plurality of items as shown in FIG. 8B. . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 17, a sample of characters to be entered by the user may be described around each item.

  In the present embodiment, the description is omitted for the sake of convenience. However, the stroke data entered in the radical area 51 indicated by hatching in FIG. 9 and the image data continuing in one stroke protrude from the radical area 51. It is good also as radical data even if it is a location. Similarly, the image data continuing in one stroke with the stroke entered in the font area 50 may be used as font data even if it is a portion that protrudes from the font area 50. This is because, depending on the handwriting of the user, the stroke does not always fit within the radical area or the font area.

  In this way, a font creation system that can promote the purpose of learning can be provided by creating a user-specific font from characters entered by the user with an electronic pen.

It is a figure which shows the usage pattern of an electronic pen typically. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of an electronic pen. It is a figure explaining the expression method of the information by the dot pattern printed on the exclusive paper. It is an example of a dot pattern and the information corresponding to it. The structure of a form composed of dedicated paper is shown. An example of an electronic pen form is shown. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the font production system in this invention. This is an example of a sample for a user to enter characters and a form in which the user has actually entered characters. It is a figure which shows the font area and radical area which comprise each item. It is a figure which shows typically the flow which memorize | stores font data and radical data. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a server included in the font creation system shown in FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of a coordinate table. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of radical DB. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of font DB. It is a figure which shows typically the process which creates new font data from radical data. It is a flowchart of the font creation process in this embodiment. It is an example of a form in which a sample of characters is written around each item.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Network 10 ... Electronic pen 11 ... Processor 12 ... Memory 13 ... Data communication unit 14 ... Battery 25 ... Terminal device 26 ... Inquiry server 27 ... Service server

Claims (12)

A dot creation pattern that can be recognized by an electronic pen is printed, and a font creation system that uses an electronic pen form composed of a plurality of items,
The item is composed of a font area for recognizing information on the entire character entered in each item by the electronic pen,
Coordinate information storage means for storing coordinate information in which the font area is associated with each position coordinate on the dot pattern;
Entry information acquisition means for acquiring entry information entered in the form by the electronic pen;
A font extracting means for extracting font data corresponding to characters entered in each font area based on the coordinate information and the entry information;
A font creation system comprising font storage means for storing font data extracted by the font extraction means in association with a font ID for identifying the character. The item is composed of a font area for recognizing information on the entire character entered by the electronic pen, and a radical area for recognizing information on the radical constituting the character,
The coordinate information associates the font area and radical area constituting each item with respective position coordinates on the dot pattern,
The font creation system includes:
Radical extraction means for extracting radical data corresponding to radicals written in each radical area based on the coordinate information and the entry information;
A radical storage means for storing radical data extracted by the radical extraction means in association with a radical ID for identifying the radical;
Font creation means for creating new font data by combining a plurality of radical data stored in the radical storage means,
The font storage unit stores font data extracted by the font extraction unit and font data generated by the font generation unit in association with a font ID for identifying the character. Font creation system. The font creation system includes:
For the characters entered in the form, scoring information acquisition means for acquiring the scoring information entered in the form using the electronic pen;
Pass / fail judgment means for judging whether or not the character entered in the form is acceptable based on the scoring information,
The font extraction unit extracts the font data based on the coordinate information and the entry information when the pass / fail determination unit determines pass,
3. The font creation system according to claim 2, wherein the radical extracting unit extracts the radical data based on the coordinate information and the entry information when the pass / fail determination unit determines that the pass is accepted. . The font creation system includes:
For each character entered in each item constituting the form, scoring information obtaining means for obtaining the scoring information entered in the form using the electronic pen;
Item scoring information extracting means for extracting, as item scoring information, stroke data corresponding to each item entered in the form from the scoring information based on the coordinate information;
Based on item scoring information, further comprises pass / fail judgment means for judging for each item whether or not the characters entered in the form pass,
The font extraction means extracts font data corresponding to characters entered in a font area that constitutes an item that the pass / fail determination means has determined to pass based on the coordinate information and the entry information;
The radical extracting means extracts radical data corresponding to the radical entered in the radical area constituting the item determined to be acceptable by the pass / fail determination means based on the coordinate information and the entry information. The font creation system according to claim 2. If there is data that continues in one stroke with characters entered in each font area, even those written outside the font area are extracted as font data,
3. If there is data continuing in one stroke with a radical entered in each radical area, even if it is written outside the radical area, it is extracted as radical data. The font creation system as described in any one of thru | or 4. A program that is printed by a dot pattern that can be recognized by an electronic pen and that is executed by a computer that uses a form for an electronic pen composed of a plurality of items,
The item is composed of a font area for recognizing information on the entire character entered in each item by the electronic pen,
Coordinate information storage means for storing coordinate information in which the font area is associated with each position coordinate on the dot pattern;
Entry information acquisition means for acquiring entry information entered in the form by the electronic pen;
A font extraction means for extracting font data corresponding to characters entered in each font area based on the coordinate information and the entry information;
A program that causes the computer to function as a font storage unit that stores font data extracted by the font extraction unit in association with a font ID for identifying the character. The item is composed of a font area for recognizing information on the entire character entered by the electronic pen, and a radical area for recognizing information on the radical constituting the character,
The coordinate information associates the font area and radical area constituting each item with respective position coordinates on the dot pattern,
The program is
Radical extraction means for extracting radical data corresponding to radicals written in each radical area based on the coordinate information and the entry information;
A radical storage means for storing radical data extracted by the radical extraction means in association with a radical ID for identifying the radical;
Further causing the computer to function as font creation means for creating new font data by combining a plurality of radical data stored in the radical storage means,
7. The font storage unit stores font data extracted by the font extraction unit and font data generated by the font generation unit in association with a font ID for identifying the character. Program. The program is
Scoring information acquisition means for acquiring scoring information entered in the form using the electronic pen for the characters entered in the form;
Based on the scoring information, the computer further functions as a pass / fail judgment means for judging whether or not the characters entered in the form are acceptable,
The font extraction unit extracts the font data based on the coordinate information and the entry information when the pass / fail determination unit determines pass,
The program according to claim 7, wherein the radical extraction unit extracts the radical data based on the coordinate information and the entry information when the pass / fail determination unit determines pass. The program is
For each character entered in each item constituting the form, scoring information acquisition means for obtaining the scoring information entered in the form using the electronic pen,
Item scoring information extracting means for extracting, as item scoring information, stroke data corresponding to each item entered in the form from the scoring information based on the coordinate information;
Based on the item scoring information, the computer is further functioned as a pass / fail determination means for determining for each item whether or not the characters entered in the form are acceptable,
The font extraction means extracts font data corresponding to characters entered in a font area that constitutes an item that the pass / fail determination means has determined to pass based on the coordinate information and the entry information;
The radical extracting means extracts radical data corresponding to the radical entered in the radical area constituting the item determined to be acceptable by the pass / fail determination means based on the coordinate information and the entry information. The program according to claim 7. If there is data that continues in one stroke with characters entered in each font area, even those written outside the font area are extracted as font data,
8. If there is data that continues in one stroke with a radical entered in each radical area, even if it is written outside the radical area, it is extracted as radical data. The program as described in any one of thru | or 9. An electronic pen form filled with an ink pen unit and an electronic pen provided with a reading unit for optically reading a dot pattern and composed of a plurality of items,
The item is composed of a font area for recognizing font data relating to the entire character entered in each item, and a radical area for recognizing radical data relating to the radical constituting the character. A form for electronic pens.   12. The electronic pen form according to claim 11, wherein a sample of characters to be written is written around the item.

Images