JPH05165567A - Character input system in pen operating computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To input a character to an arbitrary position on a display by instructing the character on the display by a pen. CONSTITUTION:This pen operating computer is equipped with a display character storage means 4 which stores the character being displayed on the display 1 by the computer, a character retrieval means 5 which retrieves the character being displayed at a coordinate position on the display 1 inputted by the pen, and a signal generating means 3 which generates a signal by the instruction of a user. Also, the system is comprised in such a way that the character retrieval means 5 retrieves a corresponding character, and sets it as the input of the character to the computer when the user instructs the character on the display by the pen in a state where the signal is being generated by the instruction of the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input method in a pen-operated computer, and more particularly to a method for inputting a character on a display at an arbitrary position by instructing the character on the display with a pen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional computer is operated by a keyboard or a mouse, whereas a computer which is operated by a pen has recently appeared. A computer operated with this pen has a coordinate input means such as a tablet or a digitizer, which is superimposed on the display such that the designated coordinates are input to the computer by pointing the display with a dedicated pen. Computers have deciphered it, and it has become possible to perform basic computer operations such as entering characters, executing commands, and selecting menus.

For example, a character is input by recognizing a character written with the pen, and a menu is selected by directly pointing the menu with the pen. Part of the command is executed by recognizing the gesture by performing a gesture corresponding to the pen, that is, a handwriting action. For example, this character string can be deleted by drawing a horizontal line on the character string.

The computer operated with this pen does not require a keyboard as compared with a conventional keyboard or mouse, and can be miniaturized. It is small and can be operated with one hand, so it is portable. Excellent in
Since the operation is direct and natural to humans, it has the advantage that it is easy for people who do not normally use a computer to feel comfortable.

Inputting characters on a pen-operated computer
Normally, the following character (method 1) recognition method is the basic method in which the corresponding character is directly written on the coordinate input operation on the display and the computer recognizes this character. The following methods are available (3) Cut and B paste method.

B. Method 1: Recognition method As shown in FIG. 6A, a character is input by writing a character on a character input window W1 provided on a pen operation computer and recognizing the written figure. Is.

B. Method 2: Menu selection method As shown in FIG. 6 (B), commonly used characters (rows) are displayed on the screen in another window W2 prepared in the same pen operation computer, and this is displayed with the pen. By instructing the character (string), the instructed character (string) is input.

C. Method 3: Cut & B paste method A character input method called a cut & B paste (copy & paste) method provided with a coordinate input operation means such as a mouse will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 7 (A), the mouse is moved on the screen to select the already displayed character (column). As shown in FIG. 7B, copy (character string copy) or cut (character string cut) is selected from the edit menu.

As shown in FIG. 7 (C), a position for inputting a character is designated with a mouse. As shown in FIG. 7 (D), paste (character string pasting) is selected from the edit menu. By inputting characters in such steps, the specified character can be displayed at the specified position as shown in FIG. By using a pen as the coordinate input means instead of the mouse, this cut-and-B paste type character input can be performed by the pen operation computer.

A conventional pen operation computer is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, 81 is a display, 82 is a pen-operated coordinate input unit which is superimposed on the display 81, and 83 is a character storage unit which is displayed on the display 81 which is usually called a console buffer. A character recognition unit 84 stores a character, and a character recognition unit 84 recognizes a handwritten character and converts it into a character code.

Reference numeral 85 is a character menu selection unit for outputting the character code of the selected character menu, 8
Reference numeral 6 is a character input integration unit for transmitting input characters from a plurality of character input means such as a character recognition unit 84 and a character menu selection unit 85 to the CPU 89, and 87 is a coordinate input integration unit for a determination unit 88. The coordinates input section 82 and the coordinates input from the mouse are transmitted to the CPU 89.

Numeral 88 is a discriminating section for allocating the signal from the coordinate input section 82 to each of the character recognizing section 84, the character menu selecting section 85 and the coordinate input integrating section 87 according to the current state, and 89 is a CPU. is there.

The input coordinate data input from the coordinate input unit 82 is transmitted to the character recognition unit 84 by the determination unit 88 if it is within the character input frame W1 as shown in FIG. 6A.
If it is within the menu selection screen W2 as shown in FIG. 7B, it is transmitted to the character menu selection unit 85, and if not, it is notified to the coordinate input integration unit 87.

Within the character input box W1, the character shape data of the character is transmitted to the character recognition unit 84, and the character is recognized and the character code is output. Menu selection screen W
If it is within 2, the coordinate data is the character menu selection section 85.
Is transmitted to and the character code corresponding to it is output.
All of these character codes are transmitted to the CPU 89 via the character input integration unit 86. Characters are input in this way.

[0015]

Among the character input means of the pen operation computer, the method 1 is the basic input of the pen operation computer, but it takes about several seconds to write a character, for example. This has drawbacks such as not being able to input characters that do not know how to write, and being unable to recognize without careful writing. Further, the method 2 has a drawback that characters other than the characters (strings) prepared by the system cannot be input.

On the other hand, considering the case of actually using characters in a computer, there are many cases where the character to be input at present is already displayed on the screen of the computer. Even in such a case, the characters on the screen cannot be used in the method 1 and the method 2, and it is necessary to newly input them regardless of the screen.

In such a case, according to the method 3, it is possible to directly input the displayed character by the cut & B paste method, but the method 3 has a complicated procedure, so a character string having a certain length is used. Although it is convenient for copying, it is not efficient for entering one or two characters.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a character input means that can be easily used by the user in addition to the conventional input method in order to make it easier to input characters on a pen-operated computer. ， In particular, it is an object to provide an auxiliary input means by which the characters displayed on the screen can be directly selected and easily input.

[0019]

Therefore, in the character input means of the pen operation computer of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
Display 1, coordinate input unit 2, signal generation unit 3, character storage unit 4, character search unit 5, character recognition unit 6, character input synthesis unit 7, coordinate input synthesis unit 8, discrimination unit 9, character generator 10, CPU 11 And so on.

The coordinate input unit 2 is superimposed on the display 1 and is for inputting the coordinates operated by the pen. The signal generator 3 is composed of, for example, a push button switch, and notifies the discriminator 9 of a control signal for character selection while the switch is operated.

The character storage unit 4 stores characters (columns) displayed on the display 1 and is composed of a console buffer. The character search unit 5 searches the character storage unit 4 for the character code of the character currently displayed at that position from the coordinate position on the display 1.

[0022]

The input coordinate data input from the coordinate input unit 2 is notified to the character recognition unit 6 by the discrimination unit 9 if it is within the character input frame, and to the coordinate input synthesis unit 8 otherwise. Performs the same operation as a pen operation computer.

Characters (string) displayed on the display 1
When storing, the user operates the signal generator 3 to send a control signal for character selection to the discriminator 9, and touches a character (row) displayed on the display 1 with a pen to instruct the character. To do.

Since the control signal for character selection is transmitted from the signal generation section 3 at this time, the discrimination section 9 transmits the input coordinate data input from the coordinate input section 2 to the character search section 5 in accordance with the above instruction. ..

As a result, the character retrieval unit 5 accesses the character storage unit 4 by this coordinate data, retrieves the character code of the character (column) displayed at the coordinate position, and obtains a valid character code. When this happens, it is sent to the character input synthesis section 7.

In this way, the user can
It is possible to input a character (column) displayed above by a simple operation of pointing the displayed character with a pen while operating the signal generator 3.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an input / output integrated panel using the present invention, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an input template and coordinate data, and FIG. 5 is a display screen and an input example explanation. It is a figure.

In FIG. 2, the same parts as those in the other figures indicate the same parts, 21 is a video memory (V-RAM) for storing data to be displayed on the display 1 such as a liquid crystal display, and 22 is a display interface. It is a festival and an interface between the display 1 and the V-RAM 21.

Reference numeral 23 is a line interrupt handler, 24 is an area definition data section, 25 is a screen area processing section, 26 is a signal determining section, 27 is a character input processing section, 28 is a key area processing section, 2
Reference numeral 9 is a key code table, 30 is a handwriting area processing unit, 31 is a keyboard interrupt handler, 32 is a keyboard input processing unit, and 33 is a keyboard, which is optionally connected.

FIG. 3 shows an outline of an input / output integrated panel used in the present invention. This is, for example, 640x4
A liquid crystal display 1 of 00 dots and an input panel 2 which is a pen-type coordinate input means are superposed and integrally formed, and an input template 41 dedicated to input is provided below the liquid crystal display 1. Further, a push button switch 3 is attached. The input / output integrated panel A is connected to the personal computer B.

When the input panel 2 which is the coordinate inputtable area is designated by a dedicated pen such as a stylus pen,
The XY coordinate value with O as the coordinate origin is, for example, in a 5-byte format as shown in FIG.
It is output to the personal computer B through the S232C interface.
The coordinate value is a coordinate system dedicated to the input panel 2 and is mutually converted with the display coordinate system of the liquid crystal screen according to the following expression 1.

[0032]

[Equation 1]

However, X and Y are the coordinates of the input panel, CX,
CY is the coordinate of the liquid crystal screen, X0 and Y0 are the input panel coordinates corresponding to the origin of the upper left of the liquid crystal screen, and A and B are constants. On the liquid crystal display 1, a screen sent from the personal computer B connected by the RGB interface is displayed.

The input template 41 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), it is composed of a handwriting area HW for inputting handwritten characters and a key area corresponding to other keyboards.

FIG. 4B shows the output coordinate format of the input panel in this embodiment, which is XY on the input panel.
Coordinates are output in 2 bytes each, and the signal generator 3
Signal generation information indicating whether or not is operated is also notified by 1 byte.

In FIG. 2, when the CPU 11 is operated by the application program stored in the application program memory 20, the character code to be displayed on the display 1 is stored in the character buffer 4, and this is converted into a character pattern by the character generator 10. It is expanded, stored in the V-RAM 21, and displayed on the display 1 via the display interface 22.

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal display 1 is used.
Has a size of 640 × 400 dots, and the size of the character pattern font is 16 × 16 dots. Therefore, the number of characters is 40 horizontal × 25 vertical. The character buffer 4 is actually arranged to store a character string of 40 × 25.

When the user now points on the input panel 2 with the pen 40, the input / output integrated panel A sends the coordinate information corresponding thereto to the line interrupt handler 23 by the RS232C interface in the format of FIG. 4 (B). .. As a result, the character coordinate data (X, Y) and the signal generation information are transmitted to the area determination unit 9.

Based on this, the area determination section 9 accesses the area definition data section 24. In the area definition data section 24, coordinate values (diagonal coordinates indicated by upper left and lower right input panel coordinate values) of each area of the handwriting area and the key area of the input template 41 shown in FIG. Since the diagonal coordinates of the liquid crystal display 1 are stored, it is possible to discriminate whether the input coordinates are on the display 1, the handwritten area of the input template 41, or the key area of the input template 41 from these.

By this access, the area determination unit 9 causes the screen area processing unit 25 if the input coordinates are on the display 1.
This character coordinate data (X, Y) and signal generation information are sent to the key area processing unit 28 in the case of the key area of the input template 41, and handwriting processing section in the case of the handwriting area of the input template 41. These are sent to 30.

If the input coordinates are the key area of the input template 41, the key area processing unit 28 extracts the corresponding character code by referring to the key code table 29 by the coordinate data (X, Y). Input character buffer 7
Output to. The key code table 29 stores the diagonal coordinates of each key area and its character code (key code).

If the input coordinates are in the handwriting area of the input template 41, the handwriting processing section 30 generates handwritten character data from the coordinate data (X, Y), and transmits the characteristic to the character recognition section 6 to generate the handwritten character data. Recognize handwritten characters. The character code obtained as a result of this recognition is output to the input character buffer 7.

Although optional, a keyboard 33 is connectable to the personal computer B, and if there is a key input signal from the keyboard 33,
This signal is input to the keyboard interrupt handler 31, converted into a character code (key code) by the keyboard input processing unit 32, and input to the input character buffer 7. The CPU 11 uses the content of the input character buffer 7 as a character input to the application program and continues the processing of the application program.

If the input coordinates are on the display 1,
The screen area processing unit 25 activates the signal determination unit 26, and
The signal generation information of the coordinate data shown in (B) is checked. If the signal generator 3 is not operated at this time, the coordinate data is sent to the coordinate input processing unit 8, converted into screen coordinates by the equation 1 and transmitted to the application program, and the coordinates of the application program memory 20 are converted. It is held by the holding unit 20-1. This is equivalent to inputting coordinates with a normal mouse.

When the signal generator 3 is operated,
The coordinate data is transmitted to the character input processing unit 27. In the character input processing unit 27, after converting the coordinate data (X, Y) into screen coordinates (CX, CY) according to the equation 1, 40 × 25 character coordinates (MX, M) are obtained according to the following equation 2.
Y).

[0046]

[Equation 2]

The character coordinates (MX, M
Y) is transmitted to the character code search unit 5, so the character code search unit 5 uses this character coordinate (MX, MY)
The character buffer 4 is searched, and if a character code exists, it is read and this character code is output to the input character buffer 7. The application program displays this at the coordinates held in the coordinate holding unit 20-1.

For example, in FIG. 5, when the coordinate position (X1, Y1) is instructed by the pen and this is input while operating the signal generator 3 such as a push button switch, the character code retrieval unit 5 operates as described above. Searches the character buffer 4 for a character code "wealth" and stores it in the input character buffer 7.

At this time, the coordinate holding unit 20-1 of the memory 20
As described above, since the coordinate position of the copy destination of this character is input without operating the signal generator 3 such as the push button switch as described above, the application program is moved to the input cursor position displayed by the cursor. Display processing. In this way, the characters displayed on the display 1 can be copied to the display 1.

In the above embodiment, the push button switch is used as the signal generating means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other means can be used. The pen is not limited to the stylus pen.

And using a liquid crystal as a display,
Although the size of the character pattern font is 640 × 400 dots and the size of the character pattern font is 16 × 16 dots, the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the input / output integrated panel A is separated from the personal computer B has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pen input is formed by integrating both. Type computer. In this case, as a matter of course, the interface of the display unit and the coordinate input unit is a built-in type.

[0053]

According to the present invention, when a character desired to be displayed is displayed on the screen, the character is designated by operating the signal generating means such as a push button switch, and the character is displayed as if it were a keyboard or a keyboard. It is possible to input as if input by handwriting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view of an input / output integrated panel using the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an input template and coordinate data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display screen and an input example.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional input method.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional cut-and-paste character input method.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Display 2 Coordinate Input Section 3 Signal Generation Section 4 Character Storage Section 5 Character Search Section 6 Character Recognition Section 7 Character Input Comprehension Section 8 Coordinate Input Comprehension Section 9 Discrimination Section 10 Character Generator 11 CPU

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A display (1) and coordinate input means (2) superimposed on the display for inputting with a pen.
Either or both of a character recognition means (6) for recognizing a handwritten character input by the pen and a character input means for inputting a character by touching a character array board previously displayed or printed by the pen. In a pen-operated computer that has as a character input means and coordinate input on the screen other than the above character input functions as coordinate input to an application, a display character storage means for storing the character displayed by the computer on the display ( 4)
And a character retrieval means (5) for retrieving the character displayed at the coordinate position on the display which is input by the pen.
And a signal generating means (3) for generating a signal according to a user's instruction, and when the user indicates a character on the display with the pen in a state where the signal is generated according to the user's instruction, Character search means (5)
A character input method in a pen-operated computer characterized by searching for the corresponding character and inputting it to the computer. 2. The console buffer, which is an area for storing characters to be displayed by a computer, is used as the display character storage means (4).
Character input method in the pen operation computer described.