JP2007122426A - Specifying device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a specifying system capable of easily and adequately specifying an item intended by a user, based on the number of units being the aggregation of strokes entered within a fixed time, with respect to each item, by using an electronic pen. <P>SOLUTION: The user performs entry in a slip 3 for the electronic pen by using the electronic pen 10 in the specifying system 100. A server 5 acquires entry information from the electronic pen 10 and extracts item entry information, based on a coordinate table 103. The server 5 specifies the number of the units being the aggregation of the strokes entered within the fixed time with respect to each item, based on the item entry information. The server 5 specifies the item selected by the user, based on the specified number of units. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for erasing a part or all of information entered in a form for an electronic pen.

  In recent years, pen-type input devices called “electronic pens” and “digital pens” have appeared (hereinafter referred to as “electronic pens” in this specification). The developed “Anoto pen” is known. 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 information (also referred to as “stroke data”) such as written characters and images is acquired. This entry information is transmitted from the Anotopen by the data communication unit to a terminal device such as a nearby personal computer or mobile phone. The system using this anotopen can be used as an input device in place of the keyboard, and is very easy to use for users who are reluctant to use the personal computer and keyboard described above.

  In the system as described above, a user creates a predetermined document using an electronic pen, and transmits entry information corresponding to the entry to a predetermined server via a terminal device near the electronic pen through the network. be able to. In this case, a predetermined server or the like can perform various processes based on the received entry information.

  Usually, a document created by a user includes a plurality of items for entry with an electronic pen. In other words, the user needs to appropriately enter characters and symbols in the items with the electronic pen in order to create a predetermined document. Specifically, it is conceivable that the user selects a corresponding item from a plurality of options by entering a check mark in an item in which the option is described. In such a case, there is no problem if the check mark is properly entered by the user. For example, if the check mark is canceled with a double line and then another item is entered, the cancellation is canceled. Since the method, order of entry, and the like differ for each user, it is difficult to correctly specify the options intended by the user on the system side. In order to solve such problems, a system is known that determines whether each item is valid based on the number of strokes entered in each item, and identifies the option intended by the user. (For example, patent document 1).

  However, a conventional system that specifies options based only on the number of strokes entered in an item cannot cope with any pattern correction method of the user. In other words, detailed rules for entry and correction need to be defined for the user, and it was impossible to flexibly cope with various user entry and correction traps.

JP 2004-171296 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is an item intended by a user based on the number of units that are a set of strokes written in each item within a certain time using an electronic pen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a specific system that can easily and accurately specify the above.

  In one aspect of the present invention, in a specific apparatus that processes information entered in an electronic pen form on which a dot pattern recognizable by the electronic pen is printed, the electronic pen form is filled in by the electronic pen. A dot pattern that includes a plurality of items and that corresponds to the information of the item is printed, and the identification device displays information in which the item and position coordinates on the dot pattern are associated with coordinate information. Coordinate information storage means for storing, entry information acquisition means for acquiring entry information entered in the item by the electronic pen, and entry of items entered in each item from the entry information based on the coordinate information Item entry information extraction means for extracting information, and the number of units that are a set of strokes entered within a predetermined time from the item entry information And knit number specifying means, based on the number of the unit, and a item specifying means for specifying an item selected by the user.

  In the specific apparatus configured as described above, the user enters a check mark or the like in a predetermined item provided on the electronic pen form by using the ink pen unit of the electronic pen. Here, the check mark is a stroke such as a round mark or a check mark to be entered in an item selected by the user. The stroke is a line segment such as a symbol entered by the user with a single stroke using the electronic pen. The electronic pen reads the dot pattern on the form along with the movement of the electronic pen, and acquires entry information regarding the check mark and the like entered by the user. Here, the entry information includes position information on the dot pattern and time information related to the time when each stroke was entered. The entry information acquired by the electronic pen is acquired by the specific device. The specific device is a predetermined terminal device or server. The specific device extracts item entry information entered in each item from the acquired entry information based on the coordinate information.

  In the electronic pen form according to the present invention, a dot pattern corresponding to the information of the item is printed for each item. Therefore, the specifying device can specify strokes written in each item provided on the form in time series by referring to the coordinate information based on the position coordinates of the extracted item entry information. Therefore, the identification device identifies the number of units that are a set of strokes entered within a certain time from the item entry information. It should be noted that if the strokes are entered in the same item within a certain period of time, one stroke or 10 strokes constitutes one unit. Here, the fixed time can be arbitrarily set according to the form to be filled in by the user. Then, the specifying device specifies the item selected by the user based on the specified number of units. In other words, the specific device determines whether or not the item is an item in which a check mark is intentionally entered by the user based on the specified number of units.

  According to this, not only the number of strokes but also the number of units that are a set of strokes entered within a certain period of time is considered to determine whether the item is selected by the user. In other words, even if the item once selected by the user is corrected by a double line or a cross mark, it can be determined whether or not the item is selected by the user accurately based on the number of units. Therefore, the item intended by the user can be accurately identified based on the number of units without limiting the entry method and the correction method to the user.

  In one aspect of the specifying apparatus, the item specifying unit specifies an item having an odd number of units as an item selected by a user. According to this, the specific device determines that the item selection is effective when the number of units is an odd number. That is, even if the user has made corrections, the item is specified as being selected by the user. Specifically, a case where the same item is selected after the user has made corrections may be considered. On the other hand, when the number of units is an even number, it is determined that the item selection is invalid. That is, the user makes corrections and specifies that the item has been canceled. Therefore, the specifying device can easily determine whether or not the predetermined item is the item selected by the user only by determining whether the number of units specified based on the entry information is odd or even. it can.

  In another aspect of the above specific device, a check shape storage means for storing a check shape which is a shape of a check mark written in the item, and a final shape which is a shape of a stroke which is last written from the item entry information A final stroke shape specifying means for specifying a stroke shape; and a shape determining means for determining whether or not the final stroke shape matches the check shape, wherein the specifying means has an odd number of units. An item in which the final stroke shape matches the check shape is identified as an item selected by the user.

  The specific apparatus configured as described above stores in advance a check mark (a circle or a dot) to be filled in an item selected by the user as a check shape. Further, the specifying device analyzes the item entry information entered in each item in time series, and identifies the shape of the stroke entered at the end of the item as the final stroke shape. Further, the identifying device determines whether or not both shapes match by comparing and collating the identified final stroke shape with the stored check shape. Then, the specifying device specifies an item in which the number of units specified based on the entry information is an odd number and the final stroke shape matches the check shape as the item selected by the user. That is, it is determined that the selection of the item is valid. On the other hand, an item whose unit specified based on the entry information is an even number, or an item whose final stroke shape does not match the check shape is specified as an item not selected by the user. Thus, by specifying the item selected by the user in consideration of the check shape, it is possible to more accurately determine the effectiveness of item selection.

  In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program executed by a computer that processes information entered in an electronic pen form on which a dot pattern recognizable by an electronic pen is printed, the electronic pen form being The program includes a plurality of items to be filled in with an electronic pen, and a dot pattern corresponding to the information of the item is printed, and the program associates the item with a position coordinate on the dot pattern. Coordinate information storage means for storing information as coordinate information, entry information acquisition means for obtaining entry information entered in the item by the electronic pen, and each entry from the entry information based on the coordinate information. Item entry information extraction means for extracting item entry information, a set of strokes entered within a certain time from the item entry information Units specifying means for specifying the number of knitting, on the basis of the number of the unit, item specifying means for specifying an item selected by the user, as the cause the computer to function.

  By executing the above program by a computer, the above-described specific device can be realized. Moreover, each aspect of the above-described specific device can be similarly realized.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and accurately specify an item intended by a user based on the number of units that are a set of strokes written within a certain time in each item using an electronic pen. .

  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, as image data or vector data, a stroke generated when the user moves the electronic pen 10 on the dedicated paper 20.

  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 on / off the LED 15 and the camera 16 based on the writing pressure data provided 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 gives 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 data stored in the memory 12 to the terminal device 25, and thus 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 can 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 made 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, and when the processor 11 receives the position coordinates of the dedicated box, the processor 11 supplies the data in the memory 12 to the data communication unit 13 and transmits it 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 referenced from the 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 wireless transmission using Bluetooth (registered trademark), 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 a ruled line or a frame is printed on the dedicated paper with an ink other than the 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, the position of each dot is associated with data, as illustrated in FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, the 2-bit information 0 to 3 is displayed by shifting the dot position vertically and horizontally from the reference position of the lattice (intersection of the vertical and horizontal lines). 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 a 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. Also, 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 may fill out the necessary items in the entry fields 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. When a corresponding area is checked with the electronic pen 10, actions, instructions, and the like defined for the area are executed in advance. 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). That is, 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, it is also possible to print the dot pattern 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, each of the sheets can be identified and distinguished by the difference in the formed dot pattern.

  In the present specification, the term “print” is 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 information 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. Answer to the terminal device 25. Then, the terminal device 25 transmits the entry information 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. The server described later in this embodiment also serves as the inquiry server 26 and the service server 27. In the present embodiment, the entry information includes stroke data, time information, and a pen ID.

[Specific system]
Next, the specific system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of the specific system 100. The identification system 100 shown in FIG. 7 is a system that easily and accurately identifies an item in which options intended by the user are described based on information entered in the item by the electronic pen 10. Specifically, the user selects one option intended by the electronic pen 10 from among the items in which the options A to C provided in the electronic pen form (hereinafter referred to as “form”) 3 are described. Check marks (circles, check marks, etc.) shall be entered.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the specific system 100 is configured by connecting the terminal device 25 and the server 5 through the network 2. Here, one suitable example of the network 2 is the Internet. The terminal device 25 is a terminal capable of transmitting and receiving data via a network such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) used by a user or a mobile phone.

  First, the outline of the method for specifying options by this system will be described. First, the user uses the electronic pen 10 to select a corresponding item from among a plurality of items provided on the form 3 as shown in FIG. Enter a check mark in the corresponding item.

  The electronic pen 10 acquires entry information corresponding to the entered content, temporarily stores it in a memory in the electronic pen 10, and then transmits the entry information to the terminal device 25. The terminal device 25 receives the entry information entered in the form 3 from the electronic pen 10 and transmits it to the server 5 through the network 2.

  Based on the position coordinates on the dot pattern printed on the form 3, the server 5 extracts information entered in each item from the entry information as item entry information. Furthermore, the server 5 specifies the number of units that are a set of strokes written within a predetermined time based on the item entry information entered in each item. Here, the stroke is a check mark or the like entered by the user using the electronic pen 10 in one operation, that is, with a single stroke. Moreover, the server 5 specifies the final stroke shape which is the shape of the stroke written at the end of each item based on the item entry information. And the server 5 determines whether selection of the item which the user wrote the check mark is effective based on the specified number of units and final stroke shape. Here, that the selection is valid means that the user determines that the item has been selected. On the other hand, the selection being invalid means that the user has not selected the item. The case where the item selection is invalid despite the presence of a stroke is, for example, the case where the selection is canceled by a double line or the like. As described above, the server 5 identifies an item in which options intended by the user are described based on the number of units of each item and the final stroke shape.

[Form]
Next, the form 3 will be described. In the system of the present invention, the form 3 is created as the dedicated paper described above. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a predetermined dot pattern 32 is printed on the mount 30, and predetermined characters and items are 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, since the design 34 such as characters and items is printed with normal ink (not including carbon), the electronic pen 10 does not recognize it.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the form 3 is a questionnaire composed of a plurality of question items and items in which options A to C corresponding to each question item are described. Although not shown, it is assumed that the form 3 is provided with the transmission box 39 described above. Here, the item in which the option A is described is a quadrangle 51 as specifically shown in FIG. In other words, the option A visually recognized by the user is a broken-line circle serving as a guide for filling in, but the item in which the option A recognized by the electronic pen 10 or the server 5 is described is a rectangle 51. . An area including three items in which options A to C corresponding to one question item are described is referred to as a selection area. For example, an area including three items in which options A to C corresponding to the third question item are described is an option 52.

  The plurality of items and the transmission box are printed with respect to position coordinates on a preset dot pattern. That is, the plurality of items and the transmission box are defined by the position coordinates (XY coordinates) of the form 3. For example, the item 51 in which the option A of the third question item is described is a range defined by coordinates (x20, y20) to coordinates (x21, y21).

  The user uses the electronic pen 10 to enter a check mark in an item in which the corresponding option is described. When there are a plurality of applicable options, check marks are entered in a plurality of items. When correcting the entry, the user cancels the check mark entered first with a double line or the like, and enters a new check mark in an item in which other options are described. When the user fills in the form 3 using the electronic pen 10, the electronic pen 10 generates data indicating which coordinates of the form 3 are filled based on the dot pattern, and stores the data in the internal memory 12. Remember. Therefore, when the user enters a check mark in the item 51 in which the option A is described as shown in FIG. 8A in the form 3, for example, the electronic pen 10 acquires the entry position coordinates of the form 3, Store in memory 12. When the user enters a check mark in a transmission box provided on the form 3, the entry position coordinates stored in the memory 12 are transmitted from the electronic pen 10 to the terminal device 25 as entry information. That is, the choice A is selected as the answer to the third question item described in the form 3, and the entry information including the information that the check mark is entered in the corresponding item 51 is transmitted to the server 5.

[Option identification method]
Next, the option identification method will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method for identifying the number of units, which is a set of strokes entered within a predetermined time, based on the entry information. FIG. 10 is a table showing correction patterns for selection by circles. FIG. 11 is a table showing correction patterns for selection based on check points.

  The server 5 identifies the number of units that are a set of strokes entered within a certain period of time based on the item entry information that is entry information for each item, and selects the option intended by the user based on the number of units. Identify.

  First, a method for specifying the number of units based on the entry information will be described. As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the user writes a circle as a check mark in the item in which option B is written, then corrects it with a double line, and changes the item in which option A is written again. It shall be filled with a circle. In this case, a method for specifying the number of units based on the item entry information entered in the item in which option B is described as shown in FIG.

  The server 5 extracts information entered in each item constituting the form 3 as item entry information from the entry information acquired from the electronic pen 10. Furthermore, the server 5 specifies the number of strokes existing in the selection area that is a set of items corresponding to one question item based on the item entry information. For example, when only the circle is described in the item in which option A is described, the number of strokes existing in one selection area is one. In this case, the server 5 assumes that the option described in the item in which the stroke exists is selected by the user, and validates the selection of the item.

  On the other hand, in the case shown in FIG. 9A, there are one stroke in the item in which option A is described and three strokes in the item in which option B is described. Therefore, the number of strokes existing in one selection area is four. In this case, the server 5 identifies the number of units by analyzing the stroke of the item in which the option A is described and the stroke of the item in which the option B is described in time series. A unit is a set of strokes written within a certain time. The fixed time serving as the unit reference is set to the time required for the user to write one check mark or one cancel mark (double line, x mark, etc.). Specifically, in the present embodiment, a certain time as a unit reference is set to 1 second. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fixed time serving as the unit reference can be arbitrarily set according to the characteristics of the application. This is because a difference occurs in the entry speed of the user depending on the configuration item of the form 3 to be entered.

  When the fixed time used as the unit reference is 1 second, the server 5 defines a stroke entered within one second in one item as one unit. At this time, if the stroke is written in the same item within one second, it is a stroke constituting one unit regardless of one or a plurality of strokes. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9C, a circle is written in the first half of the item in which option B is written, and a double line for correction is filled in the second half of the item. Has been. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9D, the item in which the option B is described is based on the first unit composed of one stroke corresponding to the circle and the two strokes corresponding to the double line. The second unit is configured. In other words, the number of units of the item in which option B is described is two. On the other hand, since only one stroke corresponding to a circle is entered in the item in which option A is described, the number of units is one.

  Then, the server 5 validates the selection of an item having an odd number of units. That is, it recognizes that the user has selected the option described in the item with the odd number of units. On the other hand, the server 5 invalidates the selection of an item having an even number of units. That is, it is recognized that the user has not selected the option described in the item having the even number of units. Specifically, in the case of entry as shown in FIG. 9, the server 5 assumes that the item in which the option A is described is valid because the number of units is one and an odd number. On the other hand, the item in which option B is described is invalid because the number of units is two and is an even number. That is, the server 5 recognizes that the user has selected the option A.

  If the check mark is a circle as shown in FIG. 9, the server 5 is also referred to as the last stroke shape (hereinafter referred to as “final stroke shape”) in addition to the determination of the number of units. ) May be a circle. That is, the final stroke shape may be compared with the shape of a circle stored in advance to determine whether or not they match. At this time, the server 5 assumes that the selection of the corresponding item is valid only when the number of units is an odd number and the final stroke shape is a circle. That is, even if the number of units is an odd number, the server 5 assumes that the selection of the corresponding item is invalid unless the final stroke shape is a circle. Similarly, even if the final stroke shape is a circle, the server 5 determines that selection of the corresponding item is invalid if the number of units is an even number.

  Here, the correction pattern of selection when the check mark is a circle will be described with reference to the table shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the table in FIG. 10 includes valid / invalid, in-item shape, stroke number, final stroke shape, unit number, and final unit shape. Valid / invalid is information indicating whether selection of a corresponding item is valid or invalid. The in-item shape is the shape of all strokes entered in the corresponding item. The number of strokes is the number of all strokes entered in the corresponding item. The final stroke shape is the shape of the stroke that was lastly entered in the corresponding item after analyzing the time series. The number of units is the number of units of the corresponding item. The final unit shape is the shape of all strokes constituting the last unit of the corresponding item. When there are a plurality of strokes in one selection area, the server 5 validates only the items whose number of units is an odd number and whose final stroke shape is a circle as shown in the figure. In other words, the selection of an item having an even number of units or an item whose final stroke shape is not a circle is invalidated.

  In this embodiment, the case where the check mark is a circle is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the check mark may be a check mark. The correction pattern for selection when the check mark is a check mark is as shown in FIG. 11, but the description is omitted for the sake of convenience because it is almost the same as when the check mark is a circle. However, when the check mark is a check mark, when checking a further corrected option after correction using a double line, the user may change the check mark to a round mark instead of a check mark as shown in the bottom of FIG. Conceivable. Therefore, when the check mark is a check mark, the determination as to whether the final stroke shape is a check mark is not as effective as when the check mark is a circle mark.

  As described above, the server 5 determines the effectiveness of selection of each item based on the entry information based on the two points of the number of units that are a set of strokes entered within a predetermined time and the final stroke shape. And the options intended by the user can be specified. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, the options intended by the user can be easily specified without limiting the entry / modification method to the user.

[server]
Next, the server 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 12 shows an internal configuration of the server 5 in the specific system 100 in particular. As illustrated, the server 5 includes an option identification program 101, an entry information acquisition function 102, a coordinate table 103, an item entry information extraction function 104, a selection area determination function 105, a unit number identification function 106, a final stroke shape identification function 107, and An option specifying function 108 is provided. Each function is realized by the CPU included in the server 5 executing a program prepared in advance.

  The option specifying program 101 is a program that specifies the number of strokes in the selection area, the number of units of each item, and the final stroke shape based on the entry information acquired from the electronic pen 10 via the terminal device 25 and the coordinate table 103. . The option specifying program 101 is a program for specifying an option intended by the user based on the specified number of strokes, number of units, and final stroke shape.

  The entry information acquisition function 102 is a function for acquiring entry information entered in the form 3 by the user using the electronic pen 10 by executing the option specifying program 101. Here, the coordinate table 103 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the coordinate table 103 includes a selection area ID, an item ID, an item name, and coordinate data. The selection area ID is information for identifying a selection area composed of a plurality of items in which options corresponding to one question item are described. The item ID is information for identifying an item in which options are described. The item name is the name of each item. For example, in the case of the item 51 shown in FIG. 8B, the item name is “third question A” because the item A contains the choice A of the third question item. The coordinate data is a position coordinate on the form 3 indicating the arrangement of each item.

  The item entry information extraction function 104 is a function for referring to the coordinate table 103 and extracting entry information entered in each item as item entry information from the entry information obtained by the entry information obtaining function 102.

  The selection area determination function 105 is a function for determining whether the number of strokes existing in one selection area is singular or plural based on the item entry information extracted by the item entry information extraction function 104. Specifically, if the number of strokes that exist in one selection area is singular, there is no correction by double lines etc., and a check mark is entered in one item with one stroke. Means. That is, it can be said that the item in which the check mark is written is not corrected and the selection is effective. On the other hand, when there are a plurality of strokes in one selection area, there is a possibility that correction has been performed or a plurality of items have been selected. That is, at this time, it cannot be determined whether or not the selection of the item in which the stroke is entered is valid.

  The unit number specifying function 106 is a function for specifying the number of units for each item based on the item entry information when the selection area determining function 105 determines that the number of strokes existing in one selected area is plural. .

  The final stroke shape specifying function 107 is a function for specifying the final stroke shape based on the item entry information for each item when the selection area determination function 105 determines that there are a plurality of strokes in one selection area. It is. The final stroke shape specifying function 107 specifies the final stroke shape only when the check mark is a circle.

  When the selection area determination function 105 determines that the number of strokes existing in one selection area is singular, the option specifying function 108 validates the selection of the item in which the stroke is written, and is described in the item. This is a function for specifying that the option is an option intended by the user. The option specifying function 108 is a function that enables selection of an item whose number of units specified by the unit number specifying function 106 is an odd number and specifies that the option described in the item is an option intended by the user. It is.

  In the option specifying function 108, when the check mark is a circle, the number of units specified by the unit number specifying function 106 is an odd number, and the final stroke shape specified by the final stroke shape specifying function is a circle. Enables only item selection. Here, it is assumed that the stroke shape of the circle is stored in advance by the server 5, and the option specifying function 108 compares the round stroke shape stored in advance with the final stroke shape, thereby comparing the final stroke shape. It is determined whether or not the shape is a round stroke shape.

[Specific processing]
Next, specific processing executed by the specific system 100 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the specifying process. In this example, it is assumed that the check mark is a circle.

  First, the user selects an arbitrary item from a plurality of items constituting the form 3 and enters a check mark in the item using the electronic pen 10. Specifically, in the form 3 as shown in FIG. 8A, for each question item, a circle is entered as a check mark in an item in which a corresponding option is described. Then, the entry information is transmitted to the server 5 through the terminal device 25 by entering a check mark in the transmission box on the form 3.

  The server 5 acquires entry information from the electronic pen 10 via the terminal device 25 (step S1). Further, the server 5 refers to the coordinate table 103 and extracts item entry information entered in each item from the entry information (step S2). And the server 5 determines whether the stroke which exists in one selection area is single based on item entry information (step S3). If there is a single stroke in one selection area (step S3; Yes), the server 5 determines that the selection of the item in which the stroke is entered is valid (step S9). That is, the option described in the item in which the stroke is written is specified as the option intended by the user.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of strokes exist in one selection area (step S3; No), the server 5 specifies the number of units of each item based on the item entry information (step S4). Further, the server 5 determines whether or not the specified number of units is an odd number (step S5). If the specified number of units is an even number (step S5; No), the server 5 determines that the selection of the corresponding item is invalid (step S8). That is, the option described in the item having an even number of units is specified as not an option intended by the user. On the other hand, when the specified number of units is an odd number (step S5; Yes), the server 5 specifies the final stroke shape based on the item entry information (step S6).

  Then, the server 5 determines whether or not the final stroke shape is a circle (step S7). When the final stroke shape is a circle (step S7; Yes), the server 5 determines that the selection of the corresponding item is valid (step S9). That is, the option described in the item whose final stroke shape is a circle is specified as the option intended by the user. On the other hand, when the final stroke shape is not a circle (step S7; No), the server 5 determines that the selection of the corresponding item is invalid (step S8). That is, the option described in the item whose final stroke shape is not a circle is specified as not an option intended by the user.

  Further, the server 5 determines whether or not the validity / invalidity determination has been performed for all items constituting one selection area (step S10). If all items have not been determined (step S10; No), the server 5 repeatedly performs the processes of steps S4 to S9. On the other hand, when all items have been determined (step S10; Yes), the server 5 determines whether or not processing has been performed for all selected areas constituting the form 3 (step S11). When the process is not performed for all the selected areas (step S11; No), the server 5 repeatedly performs the processes of steps S3 to S9. On the other hand, when processing has been performed for all selected areas, the server 5 completes the option processing.

  In the above example, it is assumed that the check mark is filled in with a circle, and the options are determined based on both the number of units and the final stroke shape, but if the check mark is filled in other than a circle, The options need only be determined based on the number of units. Even if the check mark is filled in with a circle, the choice may be determined based on the number of units alone.

  In the present embodiment, when it is desired to correct an item after selection, the correction is made with a double line. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIGS. It may be corrected by a single line, a cross mark (x), painting, or the like.

  As described above, according to the present invention, whether or not the selection of the item is effective in consideration of the number of units that are a set of strokes entered within a predetermined time and the final stroke shape in addition to the conventional number of strokes. Judging. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether the item selection is valid without limiting the entry / correction method to the user as compared with the conventional case. In other words, it is possible to deal with various user entry and correction habits without prescribing detailed rules for entry and correction for the user.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and accurately specify an item intended by a user based on the number of units that are a set of strokes entered within a certain time in each item using an electronic pen. It can be used as a specific system.

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. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a specific system. It is an example of a form. It is a figure explaining the method of specifying the number of units based on entry information. It is a table | surface which shows the correction pattern of the selection by a circle mark. It is a table | surface which shows the correction pattern of selection by a check point. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a server included in the specific system shown in FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of a coordinate table. It is a flowchart of a specific process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Network 3 ... Electronic pen form 5 ... Server 10 ... Electronic pen 11 ... Processor 12 ... Memory 13 ... Data communication unit 14 ... Battery 25 ... Terminal device 26 ... Inquiry server 27 ... Service server 100 ... Specific system

Claims (6)

In a specific device that processes information entered in a form for an electronic pen printed with a dot pattern that can be recognized by an electronic pen,
The electronic pen form includes a plurality of items filled in by the electronic pen, and a dot pattern corresponding to the information of the items is printed on the electronic pen form,
The specific device is:
Coordinate information storage means for storing, as coordinate information, information in which the item is associated with position coordinates on the dot pattern;
Entry information acquisition means for acquiring entry information entered in the item by the electronic pen;
Item entry information extracting means for extracting item entry information written in each item from the entry information based on the coordinate information;
Unit number specifying means for specifying the number of units that are a set of strokes entered within a certain time from the item entry information;
Item specifying means for specifying an item selected by the user based on the number of units.   2. The specifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the item specifying unit specifies an item having an odd number of units as an item selected by a user. Check shape storage means for storing a check shape which is a shape of a check mark written in the item,
From the item entry information, a final stroke shape specifying means for specifying a final stroke shape which is the shape of the last written stroke;
Shape determining means for determining whether or not the final stroke shape matches the check shape,
The specification unit according to claim 2, wherein the specifying unit specifies an item in which the number of units is an odd number and the final stroke shape matches the check shape as an item selected by a user. apparatus. A program executed by a computer that processes information entered in a form for an electronic pen printed with a dot pattern that can be recognized by an electronic pen,
The electronic pen form includes a plurality of items filled in with the electronic pen, and a dot pattern corresponding to the information of the items is printed thereon,
The program is
Coordinate information storage means for storing, as coordinate information, information in which the item is associated with position coordinates on the dot pattern;
Entry information acquisition means for acquiring entry information entered in the item by the electronic pen;
Item entry information extraction means for extracting item entry information written in each item from the entry information based on the coordinate information,
Unit number specifying means for specifying the number of units that are a set of strokes entered within a certain time from the item entry information,
A program for causing the computer to function as item specifying means for specifying an item selected by a user based on the number of units.   The program according to claim 4, wherein the item specifying unit specifies an item having an odd number of units as an item selected by a user. Check shape storage means for storing a check shape which is a shape of a check mark entered in the item,
From the item entry information, a final stroke shape specifying means for specifying a final stroke shape which is the shape of the last written stroke,
Further causing the computer to function as shape determining means for determining whether or not the final stroke shape matches the check shape,
6. The program according to claim 5, wherein the specifying unit specifies an item in which the number of units is an odd number and the final stroke shape matches the check shape as an item selected by a user. .

Images