JP4823606B2 - Character output device and method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a character output device and method for printing a character string made up of a plurality of handwritten characters input using a pen, a mouse, or the like or outputting the character string in a displayable manner, and a program for causing a computer to execute the character output method It is about.

  Conventionally, a character string such as a title logo is input freehand using a pen or a mouse into a character draw area displayed on a personal computer screen or the like. Characters input in this way are displayed as images or printed out as they are. When inputting characters using a pen or mouse, a device such as a pen or mouse and a surface for inputting characters (for example, a monitor) It is difficult to draw a smooth straight line or curve as in writing letters on paper using a writing instrument such as a pencil due to the sliding condition at the point of contact with the surface of the mouse pad or the surface of the mouse pad).

  For this reason, character recognition of input characters is performed, and a character string is output using a font corresponding to the recognized characters. In addition, in order to reflect the characteristics of the input handwritten character, the image data of the input handwritten character is vectorized to obtain vector data, the stroke order and characteristics of the image data are analyzed to determine the character code, the vector data and A method of outputting characters while reflecting the characteristics of input handwritten characters by registering character codes as character font data in a format defined by a character font format has been proposed (Patent Document 1). reference).

In addition, by analyzing the characteristics of handwritten characters input by the user in advance and reflecting the characteristics in the standard font to create a handwritten font unique to the user, it is possible to input characters using a pen or mouse. A method has also been proposed that can output a character string reflecting the individuality of the user (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-148123 A JP 2000-330545 A

  However, since the methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 need to register handwritten fonts for each user in advance, users who do not register handwritten fonts use character strings that reflect the handwritten fonts. Can not do it. In addition, when a character string is input by handwriting, even if the character string is laid out by enlarging or rotating a specific character or changing the character spacing, Since the character layout at the time of input cannot be reflected, only a uniform layout character string can be output. For this reason, it is conceivable to display the output character string on the screen of a personal computer and perform layout such as character deformation. However, this operation is very complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to easily output handwritten characters input using a pen, a mouse, or the like while maintaining a user's habit and layout at the time of input.

A character output device according to the present invention includes an input unit that receives input of a character string composed of a plurality of handwritten characters;
A design reflecting means for reflecting the design of the reference font is provided for each handwritten character included in the character string.

  The “reference font” includes so-called Gothic, Mincho, and Kantei-style fonts having a predetermined design, as well as fonts in which various patterns are arranged to represent characters.

In the character output device according to the present invention, the design reflection means includes character recognition means for recognizing each handwritten character included in the character string,
The line segment constituting each handwritten character is vectorized to detect the feature point of each handwritten character, and the line segment constituting the reference font corresponding to the recognized character is vectorized to characterize the character of the reference font. Feature point detecting means for detecting points;
The feature point of each handwritten character and the feature point of the character of the reference font are collated, and the character of the reference font is deformed to reflect the design of the reference font on each handwritten character included in the character string. It is good also as a thing provided with a deformation | transformation means.

In this case, the design reflection means further includes blur removal means for removing blurring of a locus in each handwritten character,
The character recognition means and the deformation means may be means for recognizing each handwritten character from which the blurring of the locus has been removed and detecting the feature point.

Further, in this case, it is further provided with a degree input means for accepting an input of a degree of reflection of the user's habit in the handwritten character,
The deformation means may be means for deforming the characters of the reference font according to the degree of reflection of the user's habits input by the degree input means.

Moreover, in the character output device according to the present invention, the input means is a means for receiving input of the character string to the displayed image,
You may make it further provide the character provision means to which the character string which consists of a handwritten character in which the design of the said reference font was reflected to the said image.

The character output method according to the present invention accepts input of a character string composed of a plurality of handwritten characters,
The design of the reference font is reflected on each handwritten character included in the character string.

  In addition, you may provide as a program for making a computer perform the character output method by this invention.

  According to the present invention, input of a character string composed of a plurality of handwritten characters is accepted, and the design of the reference font is reflected on each handwritten character included in the character string. For this reason, it is possible to reflect the design of the reference font on the handwritten character while keeping the layout of the user's font and the position, size, and spacing of the handwritten character represented by the handwritten character included in the character string. Thus, it is possible to output a character using the layout of the handwritten character and the user's habit as it is.

  In addition, each handwritten character included in the character string is recognized, the line segment constituting each handwritten character is vectorized to detect the feature point of each handwritten character, and the line constituting the reference font corresponding to the recognized character The reference font design is made by vectorizing the minutes to detect the feature points of the characters in the reference font, and matching the feature points of each handwritten character and the characters of the reference font to transform the characters of the reference font. It can be easily reflected in handwritten characters.

  Also, by removing the blurring of the trajectory in each handwritten character and recognizing each handwritten character from which the blurring of the trajectory has been removed and detecting the feature points, the line segments and curves constituting the handwritten character can be made smooth. Therefore, recognition of handwritten characters and detection of feature points can be performed with high accuracy.

  Also, by accepting input of the degree of reflection of the user's habit in the handwritten character and transforming the character of the reference font according to the input degree of reflection, the user's habit is changed to the handwritten character as desired by the user It can be reflected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a print reception apparatus to which a character output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the print accepting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a touch-panel type that accepts various inputs for ordering print output of images and writing to a CD (hereinafter referred to as print order). A slot group 3 composed of a plurality of slots for loading a monitor 2, a digital camera containing various media and media on which images are recorded, and a pen 4 for inputting characters to an image displayed on the monitor 2 Are connected to a printer 5 that prints out an image and a CD drive 6 that writes an image on a CD.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of the print acceptance apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the print acceptance apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 11 for controlling the operation of the print acceptance apparatus 1, a system memory including a ROM that stores a program executed by the CPU 11 and a RAM that is a work area. 12 and a storage unit 13 such as a hard disk for storing an image read from the medium and a reference font used for character input, as will be described later.

  Further, the above-described monitor 2, the touch panel 14 for performing various inputs via the monitor 2, the touch panel control unit 15 for controlling the touch panel 14, the interface 16 corresponding to each of the slot groups 3, the printer 5, and A connector 17 for connecting the CD drive 6, an output interface 18 connected to the connector 17, an input interface 19 connected to the pen 4, and gradation processing, sharpness processing, etc. for an image read from a medium or the like And an image processing unit 20 that performs image processing.

  In addition, as will be described later, a design reflection unit 21 is provided that reflects the characteristics of the reference font in characters input to the monitor 2.

  The design reflection unit 21 includes a blur removal unit 30 that removes blurring of the locus of each handwritten character included in the input character string, a character recognition unit 31 that recognizes each handwritten character from which blurring has been removed, and blur removal. The line segments constituting each handwritten character are vectorized to detect the feature points of each handwritten character, and the line segments constituting the reference font corresponding to the recognized character are vectorized to characterize the character points of the reference font The reference font design is applied to each handwritten character included in the character string by collating the feature points of the handwritten characters and the feature points of the characters of the reference font and deforming the characters of the reference font. And a deforming unit 33 that reflects the above.

  According to the print accepting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when a user loads his / her media into any slot of the slot group 3 and issues a print order instruction, the CPU 11 executes the print order program, and the monitor Various displays for placing a print order in 2 are performed. Specifically, a list of thumbnail images of images recorded on the media is displayed on the monitor 2 and accepts selection of an image to be printed or written to a CD by the user. The user can place an order for printing an image recorded on his / her medium by operating the touch panel 14 of the monitor 2 in accordance with the display. Specifically, an image to be printed or written on a CD is selected. In the case of printing, a print order is made by designating the number of prints and the print size.

  Here, in the present embodiment, an image to be printed is displayed on the monitor 2, and the user inputs characters to the monitor 2 using the pen 4, whereby handwritten characters can be added to the image and output. Is. Hereinafter, the character imparting process performed when handwritten characters are imparted to the image will be described. Note that the character assignment process is executed by the CPU 11 and the design reflection unit 21. Further, in the character provision process, the CPU 11 functions as a character provision unit.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an order screen displayed after selecting an image to be printed. As shown in FIG. 3, the order screen 40 displays a list display area 40A for displaying a list of thumbnail images of images selected for printing, and a character input button 40B for instructing character input. Then, when the user selects a thumbnail image for inputting characters from the thumbnail images displayed in the list display area 40A using the touch panel 14, and then touches the character input button 40B, the character addition process is executed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the character assignment process, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the deformation of the character in the character assignment process. When the user touches the character input button 40B, the CPU 11 starts processing, and displays a character input screen including an enlarged image of the image selected by the user on the monitor 2 (step ST1). FIG. 6 shows a character input screen. As shown in FIG. 6, on the character input screen 41, an image area 41A for displaying an image selected by the user, a deformation button 41B for instructing character deformation, and a font that reflects the characteristics of the input character are selected. For this purpose, a font selection button group 41C is displayed. Here, the font selection button group 41C includes Gothic, Mincho, and Kantei-style as reference fonts.

  The user can input a character string by hand using the pen 4 at a desired position in the image displayed in the image area 41A. Here, it is assumed that the character string “Thank you!” Has been input according to the layout shown in FIG. Further, the character string can be deformed by touching the deformation button 41B. Further, by touching a desired reference font button from the font selection button group 41C, it is possible to select a reference font whose characteristics are reflected in the input handwritten character.

  Then, the CPU 11 starts monitoring whether or not the user has touched the deformation button 41B after selecting the reference font (step ST2). When step ST2 is affirmed, the blur removal unit 30 is added to the input character string. The blurring of the locus of each included handwritten character is removed (step ST3). FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the removal of the locus blur. Here, the removal of the blurring of the locus of the character “A” will be described. When inputting characters to the monitor 2 using the pen 4, smooth straight lines or writing characters on a paper using a writing instrument such as a pencil due to the sliding state at the contact point between the pen 4 and the surface of the monitor 2 Since a curve cannot be drawn, fine blurring occurs in the line segments constituting the character as shown in FIG. For this reason, the blur removal unit 30 removes fine blur components included in the characters and corrects the input handwritten characters into smooth handwritten characters as shown in FIG. 7B.

  When the blur removal unit 30 removes the blur of the locus of the handwritten character, the character recognition unit 31 recognizes each handwritten character constituting the character string (step ST4), and reads the reference font corresponding to the recognized character from the storage unit 13. (Step ST5).

  Further, the feature point detection unit 32 detects the feature points of each handwritten character and the feature points of the read reference font (step ST6). Specifically, for each handwritten character, first, the line segment constituting the handwritten character is vectorized, the range of one character, the point of contact with the rectangle when the character is enclosed by the rectangle, the intersection of the lines constituting the character, the starting point , End point, dakuten, semi-dakuten, etc. are detected as feature points. On the other hand, for the reference font, the line segments that make up the character are vectorized, the point of contact with the rectangle when the character is enclosed by a rectangle, the intersection of the lines that make up the character, the start point, the end point, the cloud point, the semi-cloud point, etc. Are detected as feature points. The detected feature points are shown in step ST6 of FIG.

  The deforming unit 33 collates the feature points detected from the handwritten characters with the feature points detected from the reference font, and deforms the reference font so that the feature points detected from the reference font match the feature points detected from the handwritten characters. Then, the reference font design is reflected on the handwritten character (step ST7). That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the reference font is deformed so that the positions of the eleven feature points P1 'to P11' detected from the reference font coincide with the positions of the eleven feature points P1 to P11 detected from the handwritten character. To do. In this case, if the handwritten character is rotated, the reference font is also rotated, and the reference font is enlarged / reduced so as to be the size of each handwritten character constituting the character string. Accordingly, if the reference font selected by the user is Gothic, the handwritten character is changed to Gothic while maintaining the user's habit and layout.

  Then, the CPU 11 replaces the handwritten character included in the input character string with the handwritten character reflecting the design of the reference font (step ST8), and further assigns the replaced character to the image (step ST9). Exit. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an image to which handwritten characters reflecting the design of the reference font are added. As shown in FIG. 8, since the handwritten character input by the user is only replaced with the handwritten character reflecting the design of the reference font, the user's habit when the user inputs the character string, and the character string The layout will not be changed.

  The image to which characters are added is subjected to image processing in the image processing unit 20 and printed out by the printer 6 or written to a CD by the CD drive 5 in accordance with a user order.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the design of the reference font is reflected on each handwritten character included in the character string input by the user, so that the user's habit represented by the handwritten character included in the character string is displayed. In addition, it is possible to reflect the design of the reference font in the handwritten character while maintaining the layout of the handwritten character, such as the position, size, and spacing, and thereby to add the character that makes use of the input layout as it is to the image. it can.

  In addition, each handwritten character included in the character string is recognized, the line segment constituting each handwritten character is vectorized to detect the feature point of each handwritten character, and the line constituting the reference font corresponding to the recognized character The reference font design is made by vectorizing the minutes to detect the feature points of the characters in the reference font, and matching the feature points of each handwritten character and the characters of the reference font to transform the characters of the reference font. It can be easily reflected in handwritten characters.

  Also, by removing the blurring of the trajectory in each handwritten character and recognizing each handwritten character from which the blurring of the trajectory has been removed and detecting the feature points, the line segments and curves constituting the handwritten character can be made smooth. Therefore, recognition of handwritten characters and detection of feature points can be performed with high accuracy.

  In the above embodiment, the design of the reference font is only reflected on the handwritten character, and therefore the character assigned to the image reflects 100% of the handwritten character of the user. That is, the wrinkles that appear when the user inputs characters are directly expressed in the design of the reference font. As described above, in the present embodiment, the user's handwritten character habit can be reflected 100%, while the user himself / herself may want to change the degree of reflecting the user's handwritten character habit.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, a setting bar 41D for setting the degree of reflection of the user's habit is displayed on the character input screen shown in FIG. 6, and the setting bar 41D reflects the user's habit. May be changed.

  The setting bar 41D can set the degree of reflecting the user's wrinkle in a range of 0 to 100% as a percentage by touching the black area and moving left and right. Here, when 0% is set, the wrinkles of the handwritten characters input by the user are not reflected at all, and the handwritten characters input by the user are replaced with the reference font. When the numerical value is increased from 0%, more of the user's handwritten characters are reflected, and when 100% is selected, only the reference font design is reflected in the handwritten characters input by the user. For this reason, by using the setting bar 41D, the user can select how much the wrinkles of the user's handwritten characters are reflected between 0% and 100%.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when a user inputs a character string with an abbreviation, a handwritten character may be unable to be recognized as a character. In such a case, the line segment constituting the handwritten character is vectorized, and the reference font design features (that is, vertical line, horizontal line thickness, shape such as entering, stopping, paying, etc.) with respect to the line segment vector The design of the reference font can be reflected in the handwritten character.

  In the above embodiment, handwritten characters included in the character string are recognized, but a characteristic design of the reference font is prepared as a part in a database or the like in advance, and line segments constituting each handwritten character are determined. It is also possible to reflect the design of the reference font in handwritten characters by vectorizing and applying parts to the vector of line segments. Thereby, since recognition of a handwritten character becomes unnecessary, a process can be performed at high speed.

  In addition, when the handwritten character is a complex Kanji character (for example, “檸檬”), if the reference font design is reflected as it is in the handwritten character, the line constituting the character becomes thick and the character is crushed There is. For this reason, according to the kind of handwritten character, you may make it perform control of making the state of the line segment which comprises a character thin.

  In the above-described embodiment, Gothic, Mincho, and Kantei-style are used as the reference font, but various fonts such as fonts and pops can be used as the reference font. In addition, a font in which various patterns are arranged to represent characters can be used as a reference font. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a font representing characters by arranging ☆ marks can be used as the reference font.

  Although the apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the computer is caused to function as a unit corresponding to the blur removal unit 30, the character recognition unit 31, the feature point detection unit 32, and the deformation unit 33, and FIG. A program that performs the processing shown in FIG. 6 is also one embodiment of the present invention. A computer-readable recording medium that records such a program is also one embodiment of the present invention.

1 is an external view of a print reception apparatus to which a character output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Block diagram of the signal processing system of the print acceptance apparatus according to the present embodiment The figure which shows the order screen which is displayed after selecting the image which makes print order Flowchart showing character assignment processing The figure for demonstrating the deformation | transformation of the character in a character provision process Figure showing the character input screen Diagram for explaining removal of locus blur The figure which shows the picture where the handwritten character where the design of the standard font was reflected was given The figure which shows the other example of the character input screen Figure showing a font that represents characters by arranging ☆ marks

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print reception apparatus 2 Monitor 3 Slot 4 Pen 5 Printer 6 CD drive 11 CPU
14 Touch Panel 21 Design Reflection Unit 30 Blur Removal Unit 31 Character Recognition Unit 32 Feature Point Detection Unit 33 Deformation Unit 40 Order Screen 41 Character Input Screen

Claims (6)

An input means for receiving input of a character string composed of a plurality of handwritten characters;
Character recognition means for recognizing each handwritten character included in the character string;
The line segment constituting each handwritten character is vectorized to detect the feature point of each handwritten character, and the line segment constituting the reference font corresponding to the recognized character is vectorized to characterize the character of the reference font. Feature point detecting means for detecting points;
The feature point of each handwritten character and the feature point of the character of the reference font are collated, and the character of the reference font is deformed to reflect the design of the reference font on each handwritten character included in the character string. Deformation means,
When each handwritten character included in the character string is not recognized, the feature point detecting means is a means for vectorizing line segments constituting each handwritten character,
The deformation means is means for reflecting the design of the reference font to each handwritten character included in the character string by reflecting the feature of the shape of the reference font on the vector of the line segment. Character output device. Further comprising a blur removal means for removing the blur of the locus in each handwritten character,
Said character recognition means and the deformation means, a character output device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for performing recognition and detection of the feature point of each handwritten character blur has been removed of said trajectory. A degree input means for receiving an input of the degree of reflection of the user's habit in the handwritten character;
The deforming means, depending on the degree of reflection of the habit of the user input by the order input unit, the character output device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the a means for deforming the base font character . The input means is means for receiving input of the character string to a displayed image;
The character output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a character adding unit that adds a character string including handwritten characters reflecting the design of the reference font to the image. Accepts input of strings consisting of multiple handwritten characters,
Recognizing each handwritten character included in the character string,
The line segment constituting each handwritten character is vectorized to detect the feature point of each handwritten character, and the line segment constituting the reference font corresponding to the recognized character is vectorized to characterize the character of the reference font. Detect points,
The feature point of each handwritten character and the feature point of the character of the reference font are collated, and the character of the reference font is deformed to reflect the design of the reference font on each handwritten character included in the character string. On the occasion
When each handwritten character included in the character string is not recognized, the line segment constituting each handwritten character is vectorized,
A character output method characterized in that the design of the reference font is reflected in each handwritten character included in the character string by reflecting the characteristics of the shape of the reference font on the vector of the line segment . A procedure to accept input of a character string consisting of a plurality of handwritten characters;
Recognizing each handwritten character included in the character string;
The line segment constituting each handwritten character is vectorized to detect the feature point of each handwritten character, and the line segment constituting the reference font corresponding to the recognized character is vectorized to characterize the character of the reference font. A procedure to detect points;
The feature point of each handwritten character and the feature point of the character of the reference font are collated, and the character of the reference font is deformed to reflect the design of the reference font on each handwritten character included in the character string. Procedures
When each handwritten character included in the character string is not recognized, the procedure for detecting the feature point is a procedure for vectorizing line segments constituting each handwritten character,
Procedure to reflect the design, by reflecting the characteristics of the shape of the base font to the vector of the line segment is the procedure to reflect the design of the base font to each handwritten characters included in the character string A program for causing a computer to execute the character output method.

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