JPH04344918A - Character input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily recognize connection between a character being inputted presently and a character string whose input is completed by connecting an input frame for which the character is inputted by hand-writing and an input cursor for showing a position where the recognized character is displayed by a line. CONSTITUTION:When the prescribed character is inputted on a tablet 12 by the hand-writing by a pen 13, a position detecting part 16 detects the stroke of the pen 13 from coordinate data outputted from the tablet 12. The detected data is supplied to a control part 14, and the control part 14 outputs a signal corresponding to the stroke to a display control part 15 so as to make a liquid crystal display 11 display handwriting corresponding to the pen 13. A character recognizing part 17 stores previously various kinds of the characters, and decides what character data stored beforehand the character inputted by the pen 13 coincides with. Then, the input cursor 24 is displayed at the position of the input frame 22 where the character whose result of input is obtained is displayed, and the connection line 25 to connect them is displayed between the input cursor 24 and the input frame 22.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device suitable for inputting characters by hand in, for example, an electronic notebook device.

0002

[Prior Art] A character input device for inputting characters by hand is
For example, it is composed of a tablet that detects input coordinates of a pen, a character recognition device that recognizes characters input in accordance with the coordinates detected by the tablet, and an LCD that displays characters obtained as a result of recognition. .

FIG. 10 shows an example of an input screen of such a conventional character input device. When a character is handwritten into the input frame 2 using a pen (not shown), the stroke (handwriting) is detected by the tablet, and the trace locus (handwriting) of the pen is displayed in the input frame 2. When the input of one character is completed, the input end button 4 is operated, and the character input into the input frame 2 is pattern-recognized. Then, as a result of the recognition, the obtained character is displayed at the position of the cursor 3 in the display area 1. In this example, the characters "indicating input position" are input and displayed.

FIG. 11 shows an example of another input screen. In the example of FIG. 10, the input frame 2 is placed and fixed at the lower right of the display area 1. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 11, the input frame 2 is arranged and displayed near the characters that have already been input.

[0005]

However, in the example of FIG. 10, since the input frame 2 and the cursor 3 are located far apart,
In particular, when display area 1 becomes larger, you are currently in input frame 2.
If you want to check how the character you are inputting continues with the character string that has already been input, you have to search for the input position (the position of cursor 3), which poses a problem with poor operability.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the input box 2 is placed near the character string that has already been input, so it is relatively easy to check the positions where the currently input characters are connected. Become. However, input frame 2 requires pattern recognition of handwritten characters, so
Requires a fairly large area. Therefore, if input frame 2 is displayed near a character string that has already been input, part of the already input character string will be hidden in input frame 2, making it difficult to confirm the entire character string. There was an issue.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and provides a system for easily confirming the connection between characters currently being input and character strings that have already been input. It is something to do.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The character input device of the present invention includes a coordinate detection means for detecting coordinates input by handwriting with a pen, and a character recognition system for recognizing input characters corresponding to the output of the coordinate detection means. means, a display means for displaying recognized characters corresponding to the output of the character recognition means, an input frame for inputting characters by handwriting, and characters input from the input frame and recognized on the display means are displayed. It is characterized by comprising an input cursor that indicates a position, and a control means that displays a line connecting the input frame and the input cursor.

[0009]

[Operation] In the character input device configured as described above, the input frame for inputting characters by hand and the input cursor indicating the position where the recognized character is displayed are connected by a line. Therefore, it becomes easy to confirm the connection between characters that have already been input and characters that are currently being input.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an embodiment of a character input device of the present invention. The tablet 12 (coordinate detection means) detects the coordinates of the position pressed with the pen 13 and outputs the detected coordinate data to the position detection section 16. An LCD 11 (display means) is arranged below the tablet 12, and characters displayed on the LCD 11 can be recognized by the user via the tablet 12 made of a transparent material. The control unit 14 (control means) sends predetermined data (handwriting data) to the online handwritten character recognition unit 17 (character recognition means) in response to the output of the position detection unit 16.
is output, and the characters input by handwriting with the pen 13 are pattern-recognized. Then, the characters obtained as a result of pattern recognition are displayed on the LCD 11 via the display control section 15.

That is, when a predetermined character is handwritten on the tablet 12 with the pen 13, the position detection unit 16 detects the stroke (handwriting) of the pen 13 from the coordinate data output from the tablet 12. This detection data is stored in the control unit 14.
supplied to Then, the control unit 14 outputs a signal corresponding to this stroke to the display control unit 15, and causes the LCD 11 to display a trace locus (handwriting) corresponding to the pen 13. As described above, the tablet 12 is made of a transparent material. Therefore, the user can check the display on the LCD 11 via the tablet 12.

[0012] When a predetermined character is input in this manner, the control unit 14 outputs data corresponding to the stroke input with the pen 13 to the character recognition unit 17 for pattern recognition. The character recognition unit 17 stores various character data in advance, and compares the character data with the data input via the control unit 14 to determine which character data input by the pen 13 is the pre-stored character data. Determine if it matches. As a result of the determination, the obtained character data is sent to the control unit 14.
It is supplied to the display control section 15 via. Then, under the control of the display control section 15, the characters obtained as a result of recognition are displayed on the LCD 11.

FIG. 2 shows the LCD 11 in the embodiment of FIG.
An example of the input screen displayed is shown below. In the display area 21, a circular input frame 22 and an area 23 for giving an instruction to move the input frame 22 below the input frame 22 are displayed. An input cursor 24 is displayed at a position where characters obtained as a result of input into the input frame 22 are displayed. A connecting line 25 is displayed between the input cursor 24 and the input frame 22 (area 23), and there is a line 25 along the connecting line 25 when the input frame 22 and the input cursor 24 are moved together. Area 26 operated on
is displayed.

The control unit 14 causes the LCD 11 to display an input screen as shown in FIG. 2, and executes character input processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

First, in step S1, the input frame 22
, an input cursor 24, a connecting line 25, etc. are displayed in accordance with the input position instruction. Then, in step S2, handwritten data corresponding to the handwriting input from the input frame 22 is cleared. Thereafter, in step S3, a counter for time measurement is cleared. Further, in step S4, input data from the pen 13 is obtained from the output from the tablet 12. Then, in step S5, it is determined whether the obtained data is due to pen-down or pen-up.

If it is determined that the data is pen-down data, the process advances to step S11 and it is determined whether the data is obtained as a result of writing in the input frame 22. If the data is obtained as a result of writing in the input frame 22, the process advances to step S12, where the handwritten data is stored in the built-in memory, and an image corresponding to the input frame 22 and input cursor 24 is displayed. That is. As a result, the locus (handwriting) traced by the pen 13 is displayed.

Next, in step S13, pen data is further obtained. It is determined in step S14 whether the obtained data is due to pen down, and if it is due to pen down, the process returns to step S12 and repeats the same process. That is, by repeatedly executing the processes of steps S12 to S14, one stroke of the trace locus (handwriting) is displayed in the input frame 22 and the input cursor 24.

When the input of one stroke is completed and the pen is raised, the process returns from step S14 to step S3. Then, the counter is cleared, and further step S4
Pen data can be obtained at (However, in this case, the pen is still up, so no special data can be obtained). Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the pen is down. Since the pen is currently in the up state, the process proceeds from step S5 to step S6, and it is determined whether or not handwritten data is saved. If the handwritten data is not saved, the process returns to step S4, but in this case, the process returns to step S1.
2, the handwritten data is saved, so the process advances from step S6 to step S7, and the time measurement counter is set to 1.
is added.

Then, in step S8, it is determined whether the value of the time measurement counter exceeds a preset value, and if it does not, the process returns to step S4. As a result, input for the second and subsequent strokes is performed, for example. If the counter value exceeds the set value, the process advances from step S8 to step S9, and the stored handwritten data is recognized. That is, if no new stroke is input within a certain period of time after pen-up, character recognition is automatically started. Then, the characters obtained as a result of recognition are displayed in the input frame 22 and the input cursor 24. Thereafter, the input cursor 24 is moved to the right by one character, and the input frame 2
The 2nd character is cleared. Then, the process returns to step S2.

The above processing results in the operation shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the pen down is not in the input frame 22, the process advances to step S15, where it is determined whether handwritten data is saved. If handwritten data is saved, the process advances to step S16, where the saved handwritten data is recognized, and the characters obtained as a result of recognition are displayed on the input cursor 24 and the input frame 22. When a further predetermined period of time has elapsed, the input cursor 24 moves one character,
The characters are moved to the right and the characters in the input frame 22 are also deleted. The handwritten data is then cleared.

That is, as described above, handwritten data is recognized in steps S8 and S9 when a predetermined time has elapsed after pen-up, but in the case of steps S15 and S16, the handwritten data is recognized before a predetermined time elapses. When the pen is moved down outside the input frame 22, pattern recognition of input data is started.

[0023] If handwritten data is not saved, there is no need for character recognition, so step S16 is skipped.

Next, in step 17, the area where the pen is down is determined. The area where the pen is down is input frame 2
If it is the pen 1 area 23, the process advances to step S18.
The input frame 22 is moved according to the movement position of No. 3. Furthermore, in step S19, new pen data is acquired. If the acquired data is due to pen down, the area 23 is being dragged with the pen 13, so the process proceeds from step S20 to step S18, and the input frame 22 is moved according to the position. If it is determined in step S20 that pen-up data has been obtained, the process returns to step S3.

If it is determined in step S17 that the pen-down area is the input cursor 24, the process proceeds to step S21, where the input cursor 24 is moved to a position corresponding to the position of the pen 13. Then, in step S22, new pen data is acquired, and if it is determined in step S23 that the pen data is due to pen down, the process returns from step S23 to step S21. In this way, the input cursor 24 is moved and displayed at the position dragged by the pen 13. If it is determined in step S23 that the pen is up, the process returns to step S3.

If it is determined in step S17 that the pen is down in area 26, the process advances to step S24.
The display of the input frame 22, the input cursor 24, the connecting line 25, and the area 26 are simultaneously moved to a position corresponding to the position of the pen 13. Then, in step S25, new pen data is acquired, and if it is determined in step S26 that the new pen data is due to pen down, the process returns from step S26 to step S24. In this way, the input frame 22, the area 23, the connecting line 25, the area 26, and the input cursor 24 are all simultaneously moved to the dragged position. If pen-up is detected in step S26, the process returns to step S3.

The above operation will be further explained with reference to the input screen as follows. FIG. 5 shows changes in the display when characters are input. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 5(a), the characters "character input" have already been input and displayed. Therefore, at this time, the input cursor 24 is displayed next to "force". In this state, Fig. 5(b)
), when you start inputting the character "place" in the input frame 22, a display (handwriting) corresponding to the trace locus input in the input frame 22 is displayed, and this is also displayed on the input cursor 24. . In the case of the example, a state in which "i" (nimben) is displayed is shown.

In this embodiment, the input cursor 24
However, this stroke is displayed only in the input frame 22, and only the characters obtained as a result of pattern recognition are displayed in the input cursor 24. Good too.

When the input to the input box 22 is completed, the stroke (handwriting) is pattern recognized, and the character "I" obtained as a result of the patterning is displayed next to "Riki". Then, the input cursor 24 moves to the character currently input and displayed.
(Figure 5(c)).

In this way, when character input is completed one character at a time, the input cursor 24 moves each time.
Since the input cursor 24 and the input frame 22 are connected by the connecting line 25, it is easy to check where the currently input character will be connected next and its position in the entire character string.

FIG. 6 shows input frame 2 intentionally input by manual operation.
2 or input cursor 24 independently, or input frame 22
A display example is shown in which the input cursor 24 and the input cursor 24 are moved at the same time. In the state shown in FIG. 6(a),
If you move the pen 13 down into the area 23 and then drag (move) it in a predetermined direction without raising the pen, the input frame 22 will move in response to the movement of the pen 13, as shown in FIG. 6(b). be done. Movement is stopped at the pen-up position. In this embodiment, the input frame 22 has been moved to the left side in the figure from the state shown in FIG. 6(a). Even when the input frame 22 is moved in this way, the moved input frame 22 and the input cursor 24 are connected by the connection line 25. In this sense, the connecting line 24 is also moved.

In the state shown in FIG. 6A, when the pen is moved down to the input cursor 24 and dragged, the input cursor 24 is moved in accordance with the movement of the pen 13. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the input cursor 24 has been moved to the right from the state shown in FIG. 6A. At this time, the input cursor 24 is moved one pitch at a time (1
character) move. The movement of the input cursor 24 is stopped at the pen-up position. In this case as well, the moved input cursor 24 and input frame 22 are connected by a connecting line 25.

On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 6(a), if you move the pen down to the area 26 and drag it as it is, the screen shown in FIG.
As shown in (d), the input frame 22 and the input cursor 24 remain connected by the connecting line 25 and move in response to the drag. Thereby, the entire display consisting of the input frame 22 to area 26 can be moved to a predetermined position as necessary.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the input frame. In this embodiment, the input frame 31 is displayed in a rectangular shape. An area 32 that is operated when the input is completed is provided at the lower right of the area. When this area 32 is touched with the pen 13, the input frame 3
Pattern recognition of the characters input in step 1 starts. Therefore, it is operated when it is desired to obtain recognition results more quickly.

In FIG. 8, a function other than movement is added to an area 41 corresponding to area 23 in the embodiment of FIG. That is, region 41 is region 2 in the embodiment of FIG.
3 (i.e., the function when moving the input frame 22), the function of the area 32 in the embodiment of FIG. It has the function of an area that displays the status.

That is, when the area 41 is touched with the pen 13, one of ``move'', ``end input'', ``insert'', and ``overwrite'' is cyclically displayed there. Then, when the characters "Move" are displayed, move the pen down to area 41 and drag it to input frame 2.
2 can be moved. In addition, in a state where the characters "input completed" are displayed in the area 41, the area 41
When touched with a pen, pattern recognition of characters input into the input frame 22 is started. Further, when the character "insert" is displayed in the area 41, when characters are input into the input frame 22, the characters are sequentially input to the position where the input cursor 24 is located, and the input cursor 24 is sequentially moved to the right. Then, when characters are input in the input frame 22 while the characters "overwrite" are displayed in the area 41, the input cursor 24 does not move even after character recognition is completed, and the character displayed there does not move. New characters are sequentially written on top of it, overwriting it.

FIG. 9 shows yet another example of an input screen. In this embodiment, the input frame 51 is composed of three frames, and an area 52 for instructing the end of input is provided at the lower right of the rightmost frame. Corresponding to the fact that the input frame 51 is formed so that three characters can be input, the input cursor 53 also has three characters.
It is configured so that one character can be displayed within it. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 9(a), the "position" and 3
When one character is input into each frame of the input frame 51 (FIG. 9(b)), the input characters are sequentially displayed within the input cursor 53. When the input of three characters is completed, the input cursor 53 is moved to the right by three characters (FIG. 9(c)).

[0038]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the character input device of the present invention, since the input frame and the input cursor are connected by a line,
It becomes easy to check how the characters being input into the input box are connected to the character strings that have already been input. Therefore, quick input is possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the character input device of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] A diagram showing a display example of the LCD 11 in the embodiment of Fig. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart explaining the operation in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[Figure 4] Flowchart following Figure 3

[Fig. 5] A diagram illustrating changes in character input display in the embodiment of Fig. 2.

6 is a diagram illustrating changes in the display when the input frame 22, the input cursor 24, and both the input frame 22 and the input cursor 24 are respectively moved in the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG.

[Figure 7]
Explanatory diagram of the second embodiment of the input screen

[Fig. 8] Explanatory diagram of the third embodiment of the input screen

[Fig. 9] Explanatory diagram of the fourth embodiment of the input screen

[Figure 10] Explanatory diagram of a conventional input screen

[Fig. 11] Explanatory diagram of another conventional input screen

[Explanation of symbols]

11 LCD 12 Tablet 13 Pen 14 Control section 15 Display control section 16 Position detection section 17 Character recognition section

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Coordinate detection means for detecting coordinates handwritten with a pen; character recognition means for recognizing characters input in response to the output of the coordinate detection means; and correspondence to the output of the character recognition means. an input frame for inputting characters by handwriting into the display means; an input cursor indicating a position where the recognized characters input from the input frame are to be displayed; A character input device comprising: a control means for displaying a line connecting an input frame and an input cursor.