JPH04281551A - Inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the variety and flexibility of the inputting operation of general various kinds of data processors by inputting printed or handwritten character information, and control information such as shift and line feed indication or the like to a system device, as a keyboard signal equal to a key operation input from a keyboard. CONSTITUTION:When the printed or handwritten characters or special marks indicating the control information such as the shift and line feed indication are inputted from a character inputting part 4, a character recognizing part 5 recognizes it, a keyboard control code preparing part 6 reads a keyboard control code corresponding to it from the table of a keyboard control code preparing information storing part 7 by the recognition code, a key board signal preparing part 8 converts it into the keyboard signal, and a keyboard signal outputting part 10 outputs it to a system device 3.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] This invention is an optical character reading device (OCR) that is used by connecting to system devices such as various data processing devices (computer bodies) including document creation devices, automatic translation devices, etc., and filing devices. ), etc.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In general, keyboards are often used as input devices for system devices such as data processing devices and filing devices, but there is a problem in that it takes time to get used to key input operations on the keyboard.

[0003] Therefore, as an input means to assist key input operations on a keyboard, OCR, which optically reads and inputs handwritten or printed characters and symbols, and pressure-sensitive sensors that detect handwriting such as characters written directly on the board surface are used. A device has been proposed that includes a tablet input device or the like that detects the handwriting, recognizes and inputs characters corresponding to the handwriting, and inputs the characters.

For example, there are devices as shown below. (1) Recognize and process the characters input by handwriting from the tablet, determine the recognized characters, convert them into an output code that can be distinguished from the output code from the keyboard, and connect the output code and the keyboard via an adapter. A character input device (
For example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-223974).

(2) An information input device in which a handwritten OCR is connected to an information input device that can input information by voice or keyboard, and when inputting kanji, etc. whose pronunciation is unknown, handwritten input can be performed using the handwritten OCR. (For example, see Japanese Utility Model Application No. 62-62368).

(3) Recognizes instructions input by handwritten characters or voice instead of inputting keys on a keyboard or pressing buttons on a panel, and registers them in a registration table in advance according to the recognition results. An information processing device (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 187340/1983).

(4) A keyboard that outputs character and numeric codes by pressing a key, and a hand scanner that identifies OCR characters read by the hand scanner and generates character and numeric codes and outputs from the keyboard. A personal computer input device (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64
(Refer to Publication No.-50114).

[0008]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, each of the above-mentioned devices has the following problems. (1) Different code systems are output when inputting characters from a tablet and a keyboard, and the control processing unit that receives the output code must perform processing to distinguish between the two output codes, which reduces processing efficiency. Not only does this result in lower performance, but it cannot be used as is in conventional general data processing equipment. In addition, the tablet can only input characters by hand, and cannot input various control information like a keyboard, so it cannot be used as a complete replacement for a keyboard.

(2) Because voice input, keyboard input, and handwritten OCR input must be input into the main body from separate input interfaces and different recognition processes must be performed for each, the configuration and program of the data processing device main body become complicated. It also lacks versatility.

(3) Pre-registered processes can only be selected by inputting handwritten characters or voice input, and various information cannot be freely input as in the case of key input using a keyboard. Limited to special uses.

(4) Input from the keyboard and hand scanner is limited to character and numeric codes, and no other control codes or the like can be input. In addition, with data processing devices such as general personal computers and word processors, character and numerical codes are not input from the keyboard interface, but the key press position (key code)
and its on/off information is input, and the process of converting it into a character and number code or control code is performed within the main body, so having the character and number code input is not versatile.

Furthermore, since the logical sum of the codes output from the keyboard and the hand scanner is output, there is a possibility that simultaneous input by both codes may occur to the data processing apparatus main body.

[0013] As described above, all of the conventional input devices described above mainly accept key input using a keyboard, and are capable of using OCR, tablet input devices, etc. as auxiliary input devices. Increasing the number of means complicates the configuration of the data processing device itself, increases processing load, and lacks versatility.

[0014] Furthermore, it has not yet been possible to input all types of information using input devices other than the keyboard in the same way as with the keyboard. In particular, line breaks, shifts, full-width/
It was not possible to input information that was difficult to express as a character image, such as control information such as half-width instructions. For example, the English letter "A"
'', it is not possible to specify whether to input it in full-width or half-width.

[0015] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and all input information, including printed or handwritten characters using OCR or a tablet, and control information such as line breaks, shifts, full-width/half-width instructions, etc., can be input from the keyboard. A versatile input device that can be used exactly the same as key operation input, greatly improves the variety and flexibility of input operations, and can be used without making any changes to the data processing device itself. The purpose is to provide.

[0016]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information input means for inputting information such as printed or handwritten characters, and recognizes information input by the means. An input information recognition means for outputting a code, a keyboard operation code creation means for converting the recognition code from the means into a keyboard operation code, and a keyboard signal for converting the keyboard operation code from the means into a keyboard signal compatible with the system device. A keyboard signal output means for outputting the keyboard signal to a system device such as a data processing device via a keyboard interface, and special marks indicating control information such as line feed, shift, full-width/half-width instructions, etc. To provide an input device which is provided with a memory in which a table of corresponding keyboard operation codes is registered and which also enables input of various control information.

[0017] Furthermore, the above-mentioned input device is provided with a new registration means for newly registering a special mark and its corresponding keyboard operation code, or it is possible to change an already registered special mark and its corresponding keyboard operation code. It is advisable to provide a change registration means for registering changes.

Furthermore, if a special mark newly registered by the new registration means or changed by the change registration means overlaps with an already registered special mark, means is provided to warn the operator, A registration mode switching means for selecting whether to execute or cancel the registration or change may be provided.

[0019]

[Operation] When the input device according to the present invention inputs and recognizes information such as printed or handwritten characters, it converts the recognition code into a keyboard operation code, and further converts the keyboard operation code into a keyboard signal corresponding to the system device. (key code and its on/off signal) and output to a system device such as a data processing device via a keyboard interface. And line break, shift, full-width /
If you enter a special mark indicating control information such as half-width instructions,
Since the corresponding keyboard operation codes are read from a table in memory, it is also possible to input special marks.

Therefore, on the system device side, even if the information is printed or handwritten characters or special marks indicating control information, it can be processed in exactly the same way as information input by key operations from the keyboard. Various data processing device bodies (system devices) that use conventional keyboards can be connected to the keyboard interface and used without any modification.

It is also possible to newly register a new special mark and its corresponding keyboard operation code in the memory table, or to change and register already registered special marks and their keyboard operation codes. Furthermore, if a new registration or change registration is attempted that overlaps with an already registered special mark, the operator is warned of this, and the operator is allowed to select whether to execute or cancel the registration or change. You can also do it.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a data processing device using the input device according to the present invention.

In this data processing device, an input device 1 connects via a keyboard interface (I/F) cable 2 to a system device 3 having a document creation function, a data processing function, etc.
It is connected to the. The input device 1 is equipped with an execution key 17, a cancel key 18, a registration mode key 19, a lamp 20, and a buzzer 21 on the front operation panel, and a sheet ( It has the function of optically reading information such as characters printed or handwritten on paper, etc., and converting it into keyboard signals.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the input device 1 shown in FIG.
, a character recognition section 5, a keyboard operation code generation section 6, a keyboard operation code generation information storage section 7, a keyboard signal generation section 8, a keyboard signal generation information storage section 9, and a keyboard signal output section 10.

The character input unit 4 uses a scanner to optically read information such as characters printed or handwritten on the sheet and information on special marks indicating control information, converts the information into binary values, and sends the information to the character recognition unit 5. . The character recognition section 5 performs character and special mark recognition processing on the binary information received from the character input section 4 using OCR, and sends the recognition code to the keyboard operation code creation section 6.

The keyboard operation code generation section 6 converts the recognition code sent from the character recognition section 5 into a keyboard operation code (corresponding to key operation) based on the information stored in the keyboard operation code generation information storage section 7. code) and sends it to the keyboard signal generation section 8. The keyboard operation code creation information storage section 7 stores information referred to by the keyboard operation code creation section 6 in a table format.
For all information including characters and special marks that can be recognized by the character recognition section 5, keyboard operation codes are registered in which these recognition codes are associated as indexes.

The keyboard signal generation section 8 converts the keyboard operation code sent from the keyboard operation code generation section 6 into a keyboard signal (keys on the keyboard) based on the information stored in the keyboard signal generation information storage section 9. (equivalent to a key code when pressed and its on/off signal) and sent to the keyboard signal output section 10. The keyboard signal creation information storage section 9 stores the keyboard signal creation section 8.
It stores information referenced by the keyboard, and each keyboard signal data corresponding to each keyboard operation code (one-key input) on the keyboard is registered in a table format.

This keyboard signal data is, for example,
If you enter the letter "A" from the keyboard to the system unit, the keyboard will tell the system unit the physical location (key code) of the letter "A" in the key layout on the keyboard as well as the key pressed. It notifies data indicating that the key has been pressed (on) and released (off), and refers to notification information regarding key presses and press releases determined for each key on the keyboard.

The keyboard signal output section 10 outputs the keyboard signal data received from the keyboard signal generation section 8 to the system device 3 via the keyboard I/F cable 2 that exchanges data between the system device 3 and the keyboard. .

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a keyboard operation code creation table, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard operation code creation information, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard signal creation information. In this keyboard operation code creation table, an expansion table (2) is added to a table (2) that stores information such as characters and symbols, and an expansion table (2) that stores information on special marks indicating new control information.

The keyboard operation code creation information consists of recognition data and keyboard operation data, and the recognition data includes information such as characters and symbols corresponding to each key on the keyboard (
For example, "0", "A", "A", etc.) and special marks (for example, "Space", "Up cursor", "Line feed", "Shift", "
(marks indicating instruction functions such as "full-width/half-width"), and the keyboard operation data is information on keyboard operations for inputting each of these pieces of information.

For example, as shown in FIG.
The keyboard operation data that inputs '0' corresponding to '0' is the operation data control information that indicates the number of key operations = 2 (indicating that two key operations are required) and the operation of the 'alphanumeric' key. It consists of a pointer that points to the 'alphanumeric' key with the keyboard signal creation information shown, and a pointer that points to the '0' key with the keyboard signal creation information that shows the operation of the '0' key.

[0033] Furthermore, the keyboard operation data for inputting 'A' corresponding to the recognition data 'A' includes the number of key operations = 2 as operation data control information, and keyboard signal creation information indicating the operation of the 'Katakana' key. A pointer pointing to the 'Katakana' key and a pointer indicating the '3' key in the keyboard signal creation information indicating the operation of the '3' key (because the 'A' key also serves as the '3' key). Become.

Similarly, regarding the special mark, as shown in FIG. It consists of the number of operations=1 (not shown in FIG. 3), and a pointer pointing to the 'up cursor' key with keyboard signal creation information indicating the operation of the 'up cursor' key.

Further, the keyboard signal generation information consists of keyboard signals when each key is pressed and released, as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation between each part of the input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. First, the character recognition section 5 outputs a pointer pointing to the keyboard operation data corresponding to the character in the keyboard operation code creation information storage section 7 as a result of the recognized character.

As shown in FIG. 4, this keyboard operation data has the number of key operations as operation data control information and key operation information as operation data, and the number of key operations refers to the number of recognized characters or control information. This is the number of keystrokes when actually inputting the special mark shown on the keyboard.
Operation data corresponds to input operation procedures, and includes key operations (
Types of input keys) are arranged in the order of input by the number of key operations. Furthermore, a pointer pointing to the corresponding key stored in the keyboard signal generation information storage section 9 is set in the key operation information.

When the keyboard operation code creation unit 6 receives the pointer from the character recognition unit 5, it extracts the number of key operations and operation data corresponding to the pointer, and sequentially generates key operation information (keyboard operation information) starting from the operation data by the number of key operations. (a pointer to signal generation information) is input and output to the keyboard signal generation section 8.

The keyboard signal generation section 8 sequentially outputs the code of the corresponding key and the keyboard signal indicating the pressing and release thereof to the keyboard signal output section 10 according to the pointer from the keyboard operation code generation section 6. Then, the keyboard signal output section 10 is connected to the keyboard I/F cable 2.
The keyboard signal is output to the system device 3 via.

Next, information input processing by the input device 1 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. first,
When a character or special mark is input from the character input section 4, it is sent to the character recognition section 5, which performs recognition processing and sends a pointer to the keyboard operation code creation section 6.

[0041] Upon receiving the pointer, the keyboard operation code generating section 6 obtains the number of key operations Kt for the data pointed to by the pointer from the keyboard generation code information, and sets the number of key operations retrieved Kn to zero. The number Kt of key operations is compared with the number Kn of key operations taken out, and if they are equal, it is determined whether the input is complete, and if YES, the process ends, but if NO, the character input process by the character input section 4 is repeated again.

On the other hand, if Kt and Kn are not equal, the keyboard signal generation unit 8 adds 1 to Kn, obtains the operation of the Knth key from the operation data, and uses the pointer it points to press from the keyboard signal generation information. A keyboard signal is obtained at the time, and the keyboard signal is outputted by the keyboard signal output section 10.

Furthermore, when a release keyboard signal is obtained from the keyboard signal creation information using the pointer pointed by the Knth key operation and is outputted by the keyboard signal output unit 10, the process returns to comparing Kt and Kn. Repeat the process until they are equal.

Next, an example of actual character input processing in this input device 1 will be further explained with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. Here, we will explain the case of inputting katakana "a". When the character input section 4 reads the katakana "a" written on the sheet and sends it to the character recognition section 5, the character recognition section 5 recognizes the katakana "a" and generates the recognition data "a" from the keyboard operation creation information. A pointer pointing to is sent to the keyboard operation code creation section 6.

Then, the keyboard operation code generation section 6 also includes data on the number of key operations as keyboard operation data corresponding to the recognition data "a" in the information stored in the keyboard operation code generation information storage section 7. in,'
Pointers for the katakana' key operation and the '3' key operation are sent to the keyboard signal generation section 8.

The keyboard signal generation section 8 uses the pointer to generate the keyboard signal when the ``Katakana'' key is pressed, the keyboard signal when the ``Katakana'' key is released, and the information stored in the keyboard signal generation information storage section 9.
A keyboard signal when the 3' key is pressed and a keyboard signal when the 3' key is released are output to the keyboard signal output section 10.

In this way, information such as characters input by means other than key input is output to the system device as a keyboard signal as if it were input from the keyboard. In addition, as shown in Figure 3, an expansion table ■ is added to the keyboard operation code creation table, and information on special marks that specify spaces, cursor movement, line breaks, shifts, full-width/half-width, etc. is added to the expansion table ■. , the control information based on these marks can also be converted into a keyboard signal and sent to the system device 3 as if it were input by key operation from the keyboard.

Therefore, the system device can process input information from sources other than the keyboard as the same data as key operation input from the keyboard.

The effects of the input device of this embodiment will be listed below. First, regarding the improvement of the man-machine interface, (1) input becomes easier because there is no need to memorize key layouts; (2) Skilled key operations are not required. (3) Even if you do not use an unfamiliar keyboard, you can input not only characters by handwriting, but also control information corresponding to various control keys (e.g., space, cursor movement, shift,
It is also possible to input characters (full-width/half-width, double-width, line feed, page break, conversion, etc.), improving operability.

(4) There is no risk of erroneous input unless a character or the like is entered by mistake. (5) It is possible to easily perform fixed input operations such as activating a business program used on a daily basis, such as activating a device by reading a card on which a series of operational information is printed. (6) Even people with disabilities can easily input characters, etc.

Regarding the hardware aspect, (7) all input information is input from the keyboard I/F as keyboard signals, which increases the load on the system device side as it performs different recognition processes depending on the input means. do not have. (8) It can be used as is in most data processing devices that use general keyboards, and is versatile.

(9) Miniaturization can be easily achieved without reducing operability. (10) If applied to a filing device, the amount of data can be reduced because codes can be input instead of images during filing processing, and resources such as memory in the system device can be used effectively.

Next, the second to fifth input devices according to the present invention
The embodiments will be described one by one, but the explanation of parts that overlap with the first embodiment described above will be omitted as much as possible.

First, a second embodiment of the input device according to the present invention will be described. The external appearance of the input device 1' of this embodiment is the same as the input device 1 shown in FIG. 2, but a registration section 11 is added to each part of the input device 1 as shown in the block diagram of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the registration section 11 together with the character input section 4, character recognition section 5, and keyboard operation code creation information storage section 7. This registration part 1
1 comprises a keyboard operation code creation information output section 12 and a keyboard operation code creation information table change section 13, which performs processing related to new registration of special marks.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of new registration of a special mark by the registration section 11 of the second embodiment. When the character input unit 4 in FIG. 9 reads the newly registered special mark registration data, it sends it to the keyboard operation code creation information output unit 12.

Keyboard operation code creation information output unit 12
creates keyboard operation code creation information (consisting of recognition data and keyboard operation data) from the newly registered special mark registration data and sends it to the keyboard operation code creation information table changing section 13. Then, the keyboard operation code creation information table changing section 13 expands the table in the keyboard operation code creation information storage section 7, adds (registers) the keyboard operation code creation information of the special mark to the table, and ends the process.

In this way, if a special mark indicating control information is registered in the keyboard operation code creation information storage section 7, when the registered special mark is read from the character input section 4, the keyboard of the special mark will be displayed. A signal can be created by the keyboard signal creation section 8 and sent to the system device 3 via the keyboard signal output section 10.

Next, a third embodiment of the input device according to the present invention will be described. The functional configuration of the input device of this embodiment is approximately the same as that of the input device 1' of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, but as shown in the block diagram of FIG. A data search section 14 is added, and in addition to new registration of the above-mentioned special mark, change registration can also be performed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing special mark registration processing by the registration section 11 of the third embodiment. When the character input unit 4 in FIG. 11 reads the special mark registration data, it sends it to the keyboard operation code creation information output unit 12. Keyboard operation code creation information output unit 12
sends keyboard operation code creation information (consisting of recognition data and keyboard operation data) corresponding to the special mark to the recognition data search unit 14.

The recognition data search unit 14 searches for recognition data in the keyboard operation code creation table already registered in the keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7,
It is determined whether there is any data that matches the recognition data of the keyboard operation code generation information to be registered which is sent from the keyboard operation code generation information output unit 12. A normal image recognition technique is used to search for this recognition data and determine whether or not there is a match.

As a result, if there is no matching data, the keyboard operation code generation information for the special mark is sent to the keyboard operation code generation information table changing section 13, the table in the keyboard operation code generation information storage section 7 is expanded, It is additionally registered and the process ends.

If there is matching data, the keyboard operation code creation information for the special mark is sent to the keyboard operation code creation information table changing section 13, and the keyboard operation code creation information table changing section 13 changes the data for that special mark. The keyboard operation code creation table is changed (updated) by replacing the following with the matching one in the table of the keyboard operation code creation information storage section 7.
and completes the process.

[0064] If you search whether the special mark you want to register has already been registered in this way,
Since the keyboard operation code creation information table can be updated as well as expanded, the operator can change the data of special marks that have already been registered.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the input device according to the present invention will be described. The functional configuration of the input device of this embodiment is almost the same as that of the input device 1' of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, but as shown in the block diagram of FIG. A warning generating section 15 is added to the functions of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11, and the warning generating section 15 connects the warning lamp 20 and buzzer 21 shown in FIG.
It controls lighting and extinguishing of the warning lamp 20 and generation of a warning sound from the buzzer 21.

[0066] If a special mark to be newly registered or changed overlaps with an already registered special mark, this input device will notify the user by turning on the warning lamp 20 and emitting a warning sound from the buzzer 21. Inform the operator.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the registration section 11 in the fourth embodiment when a special mark is newly registered or changed. Recognition data search unit 1 in Figure 13
4 receives special mark registration data to be newly registered or changed from the character input section 4, and searches and determines whether or not it has already been registered in the table of the keyboard operation code creation information storage section 7.

As a result, if there is matching data, an instruction is sent to the warning generating section 15 via the keyboard operation code creation information table changing section 13, the warning lamp 20 is turned on, the buzzer 21 is made to emit a warning sound, and the keyboard Change and register the operation code creation information by replacing it with the already registered information.

On the other hand, if there is no matching data, expand the table in the keyboard operation code creation information storage section 7,
Newly register keyboard operation code creation information for that special mark. Needless to say, at this time, the warning generator 15 is not activated, the warning lamp 20 is turned off, and the buzzer 21 does not generate a warning sound.

[0070] In this way, when a special mark is newly registered or changed and a warning is issued if it has already been registered, the special mark that has already been registered can be used without the operator noticing. It will not be changed (even if it is changed automatically, the operator will be able to know it).

Next, a fifth embodiment of the input device according to the present invention will be described. The input device of this example is shown in FIG.
As shown in the block diagram of FIG.
The registration mode management unit 16 stores and manages either a changeable mode or a non-changeable mode as a registration mode according to the input from the registration mode key 19 shown in FIG.

[0072] Then, if a special mark to be newly registered or changed overlaps with a special mark already registered in the keyboard operation code creation information storage section 7, this input device determines whether to register or change the special mark. You can choose to cancel.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing related to registration or change and selection of execution/cancellation by the registration section of the fifth embodiment. The recognition data search unit 14 in FIG. 15 searches and determines whether the special mark registration data from the keyboard operation code creation information output unit 12 has already been registered in the table of the keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7. As a result, if there is no matching data, new registration is performed.

On the other hand, when matching data is found, it is sent to the keyboard operation code creation information table changing section 13, where the registration mode currently managed by the registration mode management section 16 is referred to. This registration mode can be set in advance before special mark registration/change, or can be set at the same time as special mark registration data.

Then, if the registration mode for that special mark is a changeable mode, the registration mode management section 16 notifies the keyboard operation code creation information table change section 13 of this, and thereby the keyboard operation code creation information table change section 13 changes the keyboard operation code creation information table change section 13. Change and register the operation code creation information by replacing it with the already registered information.

[0076] Also, if the registration mode is a non-changeable mode,
The registration mode management section 16 notifies the keyboard operation code generation information table change section 13 of this fact, and the keyboard operation code generation information table change section 13 thereby ends the process without changing the keyboard operation code generation information.

[0077] In this way, when registering a special mark, if it overlaps with an already registered special mark, the operator can select whether to execute or cancel the registration.

Next, as a sixth embodiment of the present invention, an input device that combines all of the above-mentioned functions will be described. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the registration unit 11 in this embodiment together with other parts.The functions of each part and the actions between each part are the same as in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, so the explanation thereof will be omitted. do.

[0079] Here, we will explain the case where the special mark "↑" is registered as inputting control information corresponding to the shift key on the keyboard. and read it.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration sheet. This registration sheet 30 includes a recognition data entry field 31 for entering an image of a special mark of control information to be registered, a corresponding key designation field 32 for indicating key operation data corresponding to the special mark, and a registration mode designation field. Column 33
This is a mark sheet with

[0081] In the corresponding key specification column 32, spaces,
Key names and marking fields corresponding to various control information on the keyboard such as line breaks are printed, and the registration mode designation field 33 has marking fields 33a and 33b for designating whether update (change registration) is possible or not, respectively. I know. That is, draw the special mark you want to register in the recognition data entry field 31, and set the marking field to the right of the part where the key name to correspond to the special mark in the corresponding key designation field 32 and the registration mode designation field 33. Fill in the marking field 33a or 33b of the desired registration mode with a pencil or the like.

Here, as shown in FIG. 19, enter a special mark "↑" in the recognition data entry field 31, and enter the marking field to the right of the key name "Shift" in the corresponding key designation field 32 and the registration mode designation field 33. Marking column 33b that cannot be updated
Let each of them be filled out.

(1) The operator who inputs the registration data
When the registration sheet 30 is set on the input device 1' shown in FIG. read.

Based on the image data and marking position read from the registration sheet, the special mark "↑" and the "shift" of the control information corresponding to the special mark are recognized, and at the same time, the designation of non-updatable is determined, and registration is performed. Set the mode to non-updateable mode. Note that this data is read and recognized using techniques such as OCR and OMR.

(2) Checking for duplicate registration of special marks to be registered From the input special mark "↑" and the shift key name specification, keyboard operation code creation information corresponding to the shift key operation on the keyboard is created. This can be done by registering various types of keyboard operation code creation information in the conversion table in advance, and searching and acquiring the keyboard operation code creation information corresponding to the data read by OMR.

Next, a search is made to see if the special mark "↑" has already been registered. For example, if the special mark "↑" has already been registered as corresponding to the control information for the up cursor key, a match is found. It is determined that there is data to be used, and the matching information, its index, and registration data are sent to the keyboard operation code creation information table changing unit 13 of FIG. 15 or 17. If it is not registered, it is determined that there is no matching data, and only information indicating that there is no matching data or registration data is sent.

(3) Registration or warning Keyboard operation code creation information table changing unit 13:
When matching information is received, the registration mode management unit 1 handles it.
Refer to the registration mode in 6. Here, "Unchangeable mode"
Since this is set to , it instructs the warning generation unit 15 to perform a warning process to notify that there will be duplicate registration, and displays the special mark "↑".
Do not register any changes. In addition, if only information indicating that there is no match or registration data is received, the special mark "↑" and the keyboard operation code of the shift key are registered in the table of the keyboard operation code creation information storage section 7 as control information corresponding to it. do.

In this way, control information specifying shift, line feed, up cursor, down cursor, etc. can be input using information input means other than a keyboard such as an OCR or a tablet. Furthermore, since it is possible to set in advance whether each special key can be changed and registered, the data in the table is not confused, and the efficiency of the table can be improved.

[0089]

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the input device of the present invention, information such as characters and various control information can be input by key operation input from the keyboard using information input means other than the keyboard such as OCR or tablet input. Since the same keyboard signal can be input to the system device, it can be used by directly connecting to various data processing devices that use general keyboards, increasing the diversity and flexibility of input means, making it easy for man-machine users to use. The interface can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention together with a system device 3. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a data processing device using the input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of a keyboard operation code creation table.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard operation code creation information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard signal creation information.

6 is a flowchart showing information input processing of the input device 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining an example of actual character input processing by the input device 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a second embodiment of the input device according to the present invention together with the system device 3. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the registration unit 11 together with other functional units.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of new registration of a special mark by the registration unit of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a registration unit 11 in a third embodiment of the present invention together with other functional units.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing special mark registration processing by the registration unit of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a registration unit 11 in a fourth embodiment of the present invention together with other functional units.

14 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the registration unit of FIG. 13 when registering a new special mark and registering a change; FIG.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a registration unit 11 in a fifth embodiment of the present invention together with other functional units.

16 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to special mark registration or change and selection of execution or cancellation by the registration unit of FIG. 15; FIG.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a registration unit 11 in a sixth embodiment of the present invention together with other functional units.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration sheet.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of entry on the registration sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,1' Input device 2 Keyboard interface (I/F) cable 3
System device 4
Character input section 5 Character recognition section
6 Keyboard operation code generation section 7 Keyboard operation code generation information storage section 8 Keyboard signal generation section 9 Keyboard signal generation information storage section 10 Keyboard signal output section 11 Registration section 12 Keyboard operation code generation information output section 13
Keyboard operation code creation information table changing unit 14
Recognition data search section 15 Warning generation section 1
6 Registration mode management section 17 Execution key 18 Cancel key 19
Registration mode key 20 Warning lamp
21 Buzzer 30 Registration sheet

Claims (5)

[Claims] Claim 1: Information input means for inputting information such as printed or handwritten characters, input information recognition means for recognizing information input by the means and outputting a recognition code thereof, and recognition from the means. a keyboard operation code generation means for converting a code into a keyboard operation code; a keyboard signal generation means for converting the keyboard operation code from the means into a keyboard signal compatible with a system device; and data processing of the keyboard signal via a keyboard interface. It is equipped with a keyboard signal output means for outputting to system devices such as devices, and also includes line feed, shift, full-width /
An input device characterized in that it is provided with a memory in which a table of special marks indicating control information such as half-width instructions and corresponding keyboard operation codes is registered, thereby making it possible to input various control information. 2. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising new registration means for newly registering the special mark and the corresponding keyboard operation code. 3. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising change registration means for changing and registering the already registered special mark and the corresponding keyboard operation code. input device. 4. In the input device according to claim 2 or 3, when a special mark newly registered by the new registration means or changed by the change registration means overlaps with an already registered special mark. An input device characterized by being provided with a means for warning an operator of this. 5. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the special mark that is newly registered by the new registration means or changed by the change means is a special mark that has already been registered. An input device comprising a registration mode switching means for selecting whether to execute or cancel the registration or change when the mark overlaps with the mark.