JPH05257587A - Input unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a smooth information input without fail by inputting printed or hand-written information to the system device by means of the same signal as the key input from a keyboard. CONSTITUTION:When an information recognition section 5 recognizes the device state setting information such as the reading sensitivity or recognition levels described at the head of the original read from an information input section 4, a device state setting section 11 identifies the device state setting information based on the recognition code. Based on the device state setting information, the reading sensitivity of the information input section 4 and the recognition level of the information recognition section 5 are set. Then, the printed or hand-written characters are inputted and recognized, and a keyboard control code preparation section 6 prepares a keyboard control code based on the recognition code. Further, a keyboard signal preparation section 8 converts it into a keyboard signal and a keyboard signal output section 10 outputs it to the system device 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical information reading device (OCR) used by connecting to various data processing devices (computer body) including a document creating device, an automatic translation device, etc., and a system device such as a filing device. ) Etc. regarding the input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a keyboard device is often used as an input device of a system device such as a data processing device or a filing device, but it takes time to get used to the key input operation of the keyboard device. It was
Therefore, as an input means for assisting the key input operation by the keyboard device, an OCR for optically reading and inputting a handwritten or printed character or symbol, a handwriting such as a handwritten character directly on the board surface is provided by a pressure sensor group or the like. Detect and
A device including a tablet input device or the like for recognizing and inputting a character corresponding to the handwriting has been proposed.

For example, there are the following devices. (1) Recognize characters handwritten from a tablet, determine the recognized characters, convert them into output codes of a system distinguishable from the output code from the keyboard device, and output the output code and keyboard via an adapter. A character input device that integrates the output code from the device and outputs it to the control processing body (see, for example, JP-A-61-223974).

(2) When a handwritten OCR is connected to an information input device capable of inputting information from a voice or keyboard device and a kanji or the like which is unreadable is input, the handwritten OCR
An information input device capable of handwriting input (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-62368). (3) Instead of the key input of the keyboard device or the push button input on the panel, a handwritten input character or an instruction input by voice is recognized and registered in advance in a registration table corresponding to the recognition result. An information processing device for selecting a process (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-187340).

(4) A keyboard device for outputting a character and numeral code by pressing a key, a hand scanner and an OCR character read by the hand scanner are identified to generate a character and numeral code, and an output from the keyboard device A personal computer input device having an alphanumeric character recognition unit for outputting a logical sum of the above and an input from both a keyboard device and a hand scanner (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-50114).

[0006]

However, each of the above-mentioned devices has the following problems. (1) The system of the output code is different between the character input of the tablet and the keyboard device, and the control processing body that receives the output code has to perform the process of discriminating the output code of both the processing efficiency. Not only cannot be used for conventional general data processing devices. Further, since only the characters can be handwritten on the tablet, and various control information other than the characters cannot be input unlike the keyboard device, the tablet device cannot be completely used in place of the keyboard device.

(2) Since the voice input, the input by the keyboard device, and the handwritten OCR input must be input to the main body through separate input interfaces and different recognition processing must be performed respectively, the structure and program of the data processing device main body are It is complicated and not versatile. (3) The pre-registered process can only be selected by handwritten character input or voice input, and various information cannot be freely input as in the case of key input by the keyboard device, and special processing is not possible. Limited to use.

(4) Inputs from the keyboard device and the hand scanner are only character and numeric codes, and other control codes and the like cannot be input. In addition, in general data processing devices such as personal computers and word processors, it is not designed to input character and number codes from the keyboard interface, but to enter the key pressing position (key code) and its on / off information. Since the process of converting it into a character or numerical code or control code is performed in the main body, inputting the character and numerical codes is not versatile. Further, since the logical sum of the codes output from the keyboard device and the hand scanner is output, there is a possibility that simultaneous input by the both will occur in the main body of the data processing device.

As described above, in all of the above-mentioned conventional input devices, the key input by the keyboard device is mainly used, and the OC
The R and tablet input devices can be used as auxiliary input devices, and input devices other than the keyboard device have not been able to input all kinds of information in the same manner as the keyboard device. Further, there has been a problem that the configuration of the data processing apparatus main body side is complicated due to the increase of the input means, the processing load is increased, or the versatility is lacking.

Further, the conventional input device using the OCR has the following problems. (B) Depending on the method of realizing the manuscript, that is, whether the manuscript is printed or handwritten, etc., the state of description such as the shading of information such as the written characters is different, and When a large number of documents with different information description states are to be recognized at one time, the device states such as reading density and recognition level corresponding to each document can be set by the DIP switch or operation panel provided on the input device. Each time, the reading process must be interrupted and the processing efficiency decreases. In addition, since the operation of setting the device state becomes complicated, the work load on the operator increases.

(B) Since it is not possible to set different reading densities and recognition levels in the original to read, it is possible to select an original that has uneven density in the described information or a mixture of printed and handwritten information. When reading, the recognition rate of the information is reduced. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and makes it possible to handle all input information of OCR or tablet printing or handwritten characters in the same way as key operation input from a keyboard device, and to provide versatility and flexibility of input operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile input device that can be used without changing the data processing device main body side, by making it possible to input information surely and smoothly, and to improve the reliability significantly. ..

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information inputting means for optically reading and inputting information such as characters printed or handwritten on a manuscript, and the information inputting means. The input information recognition means for recognizing information and outputting the recognition code, the keyboard operation code creating means for converting the recognition code from the means into the keyboard operation code, and the keyboard operation code from the means correspond to the system device. A keyboard signal generating means for converting into a keyboard signal and a keyboard signal output means for outputting the keyboard signal to a system device such as a data processing device via a keyboard interface are provided, and a document code is generated by a recognition code from the input information recognition means. Device status setting such as reading density or recognition level written in the top part Identify the distribution, to provide an input device provided with a device state setting means for setting the conditions such as information input means or input information recognition means based on the device state setting information.

Further, an input device provided with the above-mentioned information input means, input information recognition means, keyboard operation code generation means, keyboard signal generation means and keyboard signal output means causes an original document to be reproduced by a recognition code from the input information recognition means. The special mark identification means for identifying the special mark for setting the device status such as the read density or the recognition level, and the information input means or the input information based on the device status setting information of the special mark identified by the means. A device state setting means for setting the state of the recognition means or the like may be provided.

Further, a keyboard device is provided or connected to the input device having the above-mentioned information input means, input information recognition means, keyboard operation code generation means, keyboard signal generation means and keyboard signal output means, and the keyboard device is connected. Device state setting information input means for inputting device state setting information such as read density or recognition level from the device, and a device for setting the state of the information input means or the input information recognition means based on the device state setting information input by the means State setting means may be provided.

[0015]

The input device according to the present invention identifies the device state setting information such as the reading density or the recognition level which is written at the head of the printed or handwritten document, and based on the information, the information input means or the input information. When the state of the recognition means is set and the information such as characters is optically read and recognized according to the set state, the recognition code is converted into a keyboard operation code, and the keyboard operation code is converted 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.

Therefore, the apparatus condition such as the reading density and the recognition level can be automatically set for each original, and the information can be surely input without interrupting the information input. Since information such as handwritten characters can be processed in exactly the same way as the information input by key operation from the keyboard device, it is not necessary to change any data processing device main body (system device) using the conventional keyboard device. Instead, it can be used by connecting to its keyboard interface.

Further, the special code for setting the apparatus state such as the reading density or the recognition level which is written in the original is identified by the recognition code from the input information recognizing means, and the apparatus state setting information of the identified special mark. If the states of the information input means or the input information recognition means are set based on the information, the apparatus states such as reading density and recognition level according to the information in one document can be automatically set and input. it can. Further, if the device state setting information such as the reading density or the recognition level is input from the keyboard device and the state of the information input means or the input information recognizing means is set based on the device state setting information, the original is special. The device status can be set directly from the keyboard device without writing a mark.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below 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 is connected via a keyboard interface (I / F) cable 2 to a system device 3 having a document creating function and a data processing function.

The input device 1 has a platen glass 1a, which is a transparent plate such as glass, a lid 1b, and an operation panel 1c provided with various operation keys such as an instruction to read a document (sheet). It has the function of optically reading and converting into keyboard signals. To input information from the input device 1, a manuscript on which special marks indicating printed or handwritten information such as characters and symbols and control information are placed is placed on the platen glass 1a with the writing surface facing down and the lid is closed. 1b
Close and start scanning.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the format of a document used in the input device 1. The original document 20 is provided with a device state setting information entry field 21 in which the device state setting information such as the read density and the recognition level when the information is read is written at the head portion which is first read by the input device 1. In the device state setting information entry field 21, device state setting information such as reading density and recognition level according to the density of the special mark indicating the information such as characters and symbols on the document 20 and the control information is entered.

The above-mentioned recognition level means the number of stages (passes) of the information recognition algorithm for characters and the like. When the number of passes is increased, the recognition rate is improved, but the processing performance is lowered.
Conversely, if the number of passes is reduced, the processing performance improves, but the recognition rate decreases. In the example shown in the figure, as the apparatus state setting information when reading the information of the document, the recognition level at the time of information recognition is set to the "medium" level setting value, and the reading density (reading sensitivity) when reading the information is set. “High” level setting values are listed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the input device 1 shown in FIG. 2 together with the system unit 3. The input device 1 includes an information input unit 4, an information recognition unit 5, a keyboard operation code creation unit 6, a keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7, a keyboard signal creation unit 8, a keyboard signal creation information storage unit 9, and a keyboard signal output unit. 10 and each function of the device state setting unit 11.

The information input unit 4 stores the device status setting information entered in the device status setting information entry field 21 of the original 20,
A special mark indicating information such as characters and symbols printed or handwritten on the manuscript 20 and control information is optically read by a scanner, and the information is binarized and sent to the information recognition unit 5. When the information recognition unit 5 recognizes the device state setting information such as the read density or the recognition level of the device state setting information column 21 of the document 20 by OCR, the binarized information received from the information input unit 4 is recognized. The device state setting information is notified to the device state setting unit 11. Further, the information sent from the information input section 4 is subjected to recognition processing of characters, symbols, special marks, etc., and the recognition code is sent to the keyboard operation code creation section 6.

The device status setting unit 11 identifies the device status setting information by the recognition code notified from the information recognition unit 5, and based on the device status setting information, the reading sensitivity of the information input unit 4 and the information recognition unit 5. Set the recognition level etc. The keyboard operation code creation unit 6 uses the recognition code sent from the information recognition unit 5 as a keyboard operation code (a code corresponding to the key operation) based on the information stored in the keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7. And sends it to the keyboard signal creation unit 8.

Keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7
Stores the information referenced by the keyboard operation code creation unit 6 in a table format, and for all information including characters, symbols, and special marks indicating control information that can be recognized by the information recognition unit 5, A keyboard operation code corresponding to the recognition code as an index is registered.
The keyboard signal creation unit 8 uses the keyboard operation code sent from the keyboard operation code creation unit 6 based on the information stored in the keyboard signal creation information storage unit 9 (when a key on the keyboard device is pressed). Key code and its on / off signal) and send it to the keyboard signal output unit 10.

The keyboard signal creation information storage unit 9 stores information referred to by the keyboard signal creation unit 8 and a table of keyboard signal data corresponding to each keyboard operation code (one key input) on the keyboard device. It is registered in the format. This keyboard signal data means, for example, when the character "A" is input from the keyboard device to the system device, the keyboard device physically indicates to the system device the character "A" in the key arrangement on the keyboard device. The position (key code) as well as the data indicating that the key is pressed (on) and released (off) are notified, and the key press and the key press determined for each key unit on the keyboard device are pressed. Refers to notification information related to cancellation.

The keyboard signal output unit 10 outputs the keyboard signal data received from the keyboard signal generation unit 8 to the system unit 3 via the keyboard I / F cable 2 for exchanging data between the system unit 3 and the keyboard unit. To do.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a keyboard operation code creation table, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard operation code creation information, and FIG. 6 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 for storing information of special marks indicating control information is added to a table for storing information such as characters and symbols.

The keyboard operation code creation information is composed of recognition data and keyboard operation data, and the recognition data is information such as characters and symbols corresponding to each key on the keyboard device (for example, "0""A""A"). Etc.) and special marks (for example, marks indicating instruction functions such as “space”, “up cursor”, “line feed”, “shift”, “full-width / half-width”), and keyboard operation data inputs each of those information. It is information of keyboard operation for.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the keyboard operation data for inputting "0" corresponding to the recognition data "0" has the number of key operations = 2 (two key operations are required as the operation data control information. "," And a pointer to the "alphanumeric" key for keyboard signal creation information indicating the operation of the "alphanumeric" key, and a "0" key for the keyboard signal creation information indicating the operation of the "0" key. It consists of a pointer and.

Further, the keyboard operation data for inputting "A" corresponding to the recognition data "A" is key operation number = 2 as operation data control information and keyboard signal creation information indicating operation of the "Katakana" key. From the pointer that points to the "Katakana" key and the pointer that points to the "3" key in the keyboard signal creation information that indicates the operation of the "3" key (since the "A" key also serves as the "3" key) Become.

Similarly, as to the special mark, as shown in FIG. 4, the keyboard operation data for inputting the "up cursor" corresponding to the recognition data (upward arrow) indicating "up cursor" is the operation data control information. Number of key operations =
1 (not shown in FIG. 4) and a pointer pointing to the "up cursor" key in the keyboard signal creation information indicating the operation of the "up cursor" key. Further, the keyboard signal creation information is composed of keyboard signals when each key is pressed and released, as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of each part of the input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, based on the device state setting information read by the information input unit 4, the device state setting unit 11 sets the reading sensitivity of the information input unit 4, the recognition level of the information recognition unit 5, and the like. Thereafter, the information input unit 4 reads information such as characters and symbols, and the information recognition unit 5 outputs a pointer to the keyboard operation data corresponding to the corresponding information in the keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7 as a result of the recognized information. Output.

As shown in FIG. 7, this keyboard operation data has the number of key operations as the operation data control information and the operation information of the key as the operation data, and the number of key operations is the information such as recognized characters. It is the number of key operations when actually input from the keyboard device, and the operation data is
Corresponds to the input operation procedure, key operation (type of input key)
Are arranged in the order of input by the number of key operations.

A pointer pointing to the corresponding key stored in the keyboard signal creation information storage section 9 is set in the key operation information. When the keyboard operation code creation unit 6 receives the pointer from the information recognition unit 5, the keyboard operation code creation unit 6 extracts the number of key operations and operation data corresponding to the pointer,
Key operation information (pointer to keyboard signal creation information) is input in order from the operation data by the number of key operations and output to the keyboard signal creation unit 8.

The keyboard signal generation unit 8 sequentially outputs the code of the corresponding key and the keyboard signal indicating the pressing and releasing of the key to the keyboard signal output unit 10 by the pointer from the keyboard operation code generation unit 6. Then, the keyboard signal output unit 10 uses the keyboard I / F cable 2
The keyboard signal is output to the system unit 3 via.

Next, the process of inputting information by the input device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, but here, the process mainly relating to the device state setting will be described. First, the information input section 4 reads information from the leading portion of the set original 20 and the information recognition section 5 starts recognition.

When the device status setting information in the device status setting information column 21 of the original 20 is read and the information recognition unit 5 recognizes the device status setting information, the recognition code is assigned to the recognition code.
Notify 1. The device status setting unit 11 identifies the device status setting information by the recognition code notified from the information recognition unit 5, and based on the device status setting information, sets the reading sensitivity of the information input unit 4 to the “high” level, The recognition level of the recognition unit 5 is set to the "medium" level.

After the setting, the information input section 4 reads information such as characters, symbols and special marks of the manuscript 20, the information recognition section 5 recognizes the read information and creates a keyboard operation code from the recognition code. Further, a keyboard signal corresponding to the system unit is created from the keyboard operation code. If the recognition is not completed, that is, if the next original is set and the reading of the information is instructed, the above-described processing is repeated, and if the recognition is completed, the processing is finished.
In this way, the reading sensitivity and the recognition level are automatically set for each document and information is input.

Next, the process of inputting information by the input device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, information input after setting the device state will be described. After setting the state by the device state setting unit 11, when information such as characters, symbols, and special marks is input from the information input unit 4, it is sent to the information recognition unit 5, and the information recognition unit 5 performs recognition processing for the information. , Sends a pointer to the keyboard operation code creation unit 6.

Upon receiving the pointer, the keyboard operation code creation unit 6 obtains the key operation number Kt from the keyboard creation code information for the corresponding data pointed to by the pointer, and sets the key operation extraction number Kn to 0. The number Kt of key operations is compared with the number Kn of key operations taken out, and if they are equal, it is judged whether or not the input is completed. If YES, the process ends. If NO, the information input process by the information input unit 4 is repeated.

On the other hand, if Kt and Kn are not equal, 1 is added to Kn by the keyboard signal creating section 8 to obtain the operation of the Knth key from the operation data, and the pointer pointed to is pressed from the keyboard signal creation information. When the keyboard signal is obtained, the keyboard signal output unit 10 outputs the keyboard signal. Further, when the release-time keyboard signal is obtained from the keyboard signal generation information by the pointer pointed by the operation of the Kn-th key and output by the keyboard signal output unit 10, the process returns to the process of comparing Kt and Kn, and Kt and Kn are compared.
The process is repeated until n becomes equal.

Next, an example of actual character input processing in the input device 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. Here, a case of inputting the katakana “A” will be described. After setting the states of the information input unit 4 and the information recognition unit 5 by the device state setting unit 11, when the information input unit 4 reads the katakana “A” written in the manuscript and sends it to the information recognition unit 5, the information recognition The unit 5 recognizes the katakana “A” and sends a pointer pointing to the recognition data “A” of the keyboard operation creation information to the keyboard operation code creation unit 6.

Then, the keyboard operation code creating section 6
Includes the number of times of key operation as keyboard operation data corresponding to the recognition data “A” in the information stored in the keyboard operation code creation information storage unit 7,
The pointers for the operation of the "katakana" key and the operation of the "3" key are sent to the keyboard signal generation unit 8.

In the keyboard signal creation unit 8, the keyboard signal when the "Katakana" key is pressed, the keyboard signal when the "Katakana" key is released, and "" in the information stored in the keyboard signal creation information storage unit 9 by the pointer. The keyboard signal when the 3'key is pressed and the keyboard signal when the '3' key is released are output to the keyboard signal output unit 10.

In this way, information such as characters, symbols and special marks indicating control information input by means other than key input is output to the system unit by a keyboard signal as if the key input was made from the keyboard unit. Therefore, the system device can process input information from other than the keyboard device as the same data as the key operation input from the keyboard device.

The effects of the input device 1 of this embodiment will be listed below. First, as to the improvement of the man-machine interface, (1) it is not necessary to remember the key layout, so that the input becomes easy. (2) The skill of key operation becomes unnecessary. (3) Even without using an unfamiliar keyboard device, not only characters but also various control information (for example, half-width characters, double-width characters, line feeds, page breaks, and conversions) can be combined by handwriting and symbols. , It can be input quickly by using special marks.

(4) There is no risk of erroneous input unless the character or the like is input by mistake. (5) It is possible to easily perform a fixed input operation such as starting a business program that is used everyday, by reading a card on which a series of operation information is printed and starting the apparatus. (6) Even persons with disabilities can easily input characters and the like.

With regard to hardware, (7) Since all input information is input as keyboard signals from the keyboard I / F, there is an increase in load such that different recognition processing is performed on the system device side depending on the input means. Absent. (8) It can be used as it is for most data processing devices using a general keyboard device, and has versatility.

(9) The size can be easily reduced without deteriorating the operability. (10) When applied to a filing device, the amount of data can be small because a code, not an image, can be input during the filing process, and resources such as a memory in the system device can be effectively used. Further, even when the density or the state of the information differs for each document due to printing, handwriting, etc., the optimum device state can be automatically set for each document, and information can be input reliably and smoothly.

Next, another embodiment of the input device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the input device 1 in this embodiment together with the system device 3. The parts common to FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted.

In this embodiment, as a new function of the input device 1, the special mark identifying section 22 is added to the function of the input device 1 described above. The special mark identifying unit 22 includes a reference table for determining a special mark for setting the apparatus state such as reading sensitivity and recognition level written on the original,
When the special code for device state setting in the original is identified by the recognition code from the input information recognition unit 4, the device state setting unit 11 is notified of the device state setting information corresponding to the special mark.

Table 1 is a list showing an example of the special mark for setting the apparatus state. In this way, the double circle special mark has a high reading sensitivity and the circular special mark has a medium reading sensitivity.
, A special mark that is a combination of circles and cross marks is defined as indicating the recognition level “high”, and each special mark and the device state setting information corresponding thereto are registered in the reference table of the special mark identification unit 22. Keep it.

[0054]

[Table 1]

It is convenient to use a dedicated sheet for registration of this special mark so that the dedicated sheet can be read from the information input section 4 and registered. Further, it is more preferable that the registered special mark can be changed or deleted.

FIG. 12 shows the input device 1 in this embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of how to write a special mark for device state setting on a document (sheet) used for the above. On this manuscript 23, information such as characters and symbols for 8 lines (indicated by a thick horizontal line in the figure) is written, and the information for the first 5 lines is read at a high sensitivity level. , If you want to read the information of the next three lines at the “medium” level and read the recognition level at the “high” level, use the special mark shown in Table 1 and add it to the beginning of the first line. A double circle special mark M1 is written, and a round special mark M2 and a special mark M3 that is a combination of circles and cross marks are written side by side between the fifth and sixth lines. Then, the document 23 is set on the input device 1 so that it can be read from the first line.

Next, the processing of the input apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13, but the description of the same portions as those in FIG. 7 will be omitted. That is, the document 23 is read from the beginning and the recognition of the read information is started, and the information recognition unit 4 determines whether or not it is a special mark for device state setting. When the manuscript 23 shown in FIG. 12 is read, the special mark M1 is recognized first, and the recognition code is notified to the special mark identifying unit 22.

The special mark identifying section 22 identifies the corresponding special mark M1 from the reference table on the basis of the recognition code, retrieves the corresponding device state setting information of the reading sensitivity "high" level, and retrieves the device state. The reading sensitivity of the information input section 4 is set to a high level by the setting information. afterwards,
Information from the first line to the fifth line of the manuscript 23 is read and recognized in order.

Next, when the special marks M2 and M3 are recognized, the reading sensitivity of the information input section 4 is changed to the "medium" level by the special mark identification section 22, and the recognition level of the information recognition section 5 is set to the "high" level. Set. Then, the sixth of the manuscript 23
Reading and recognition of information from the 8th line to the 8th line.

In this way, every time the special mark for setting the device state written in the manuscript is recognized, the device state corresponding to the special mark is set to read and recognize information. Therefore, even if the state of each information in one sheet of the document is different, such as when there is faint characters or when both printed and handwritten information is mixed, the detailed device state settings are automatically set according to it. Can be done. Further, since the device state can be set finely even in one sheet of the document, the recognition rate of information can be improved.

Here, a new effect of the input device 1 of this embodiment will be described. (1) Even without using an unfamiliar keyboard device, not only characters but also various control information (for example, half-width, double-width, line feed, page break, conversion, etc.) by handwriting input, character combinations, symbols, You can quickly enter by using the marks. (2) Even if the information on the document has uneven density, the reading sensitivity and recognition level of the apparatus can be partially changed, so that the recognition rate at the time of information input can be improved.

Next, still another embodiment of the input device according to the present invention will be described. 14 is an external perspective view of an input device 1'of this embodiment and a system device 3 using the same, and FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the input device 1'shown in FIG. 14 together with the system device 3, The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the keyboard device 24 is connected to the input device 1'through the keyboard I / F cable 25. As a new function of the input device 1 ',
As shown in FIG. 15, a keyboard signal switching unit 26, a device state setting information input unit 27, and a voice output unit 28 are added to the functions of the input device 1 shown in FIG. The keyboard signal switching unit 26 switches the keyboard signal from the keyboard device 24 to the device state setting information input unit 27 and the keyboard signal data from the keyboard signal generation unit 8 to the keyboard signal output unit 10 and outputs the keyboard signal data. ..

The device status setting information input section 27 stores information on the composite key indicating the start and end of the device status setting, and when the device status setting information such as the read density or the recognition level is input from the keyboard device 24, the information is input. A process of sending the device status setting information to the device status setting unit 11 is performed. The voice output unit 28 outputs a voice message according to the device state setting information sent from the device state setting unit 11.

Next, the process of the device state setting input in the input device 1'will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, but the description of the same parts as those in FIGS. 8 and 13 will be omitted. First, a composite key indicating the start and end of device status setting is determined in advance, and the composite key data is registered in the device status setting information input unit 27. Then, the process of FIG. 16 is started, and when there is a key input from the keyboard device 24, the keyboard signal switching unit 26 is switched to the keyboard device 24 side, and the key input signal is sent to the device state setting information input unit 27.

The device status setting information input unit 27 determines whether or not the key input is a composite key for starting device setting, and if it is a composite key for starting device setting, the setting of the device status setting information input next is performed. Device status setting unit 1
Send to 1. The device state setting unit 11 sets the device state of the information input unit 4 or the information recognition unit 5 according to the set value, and when the composite key for ending the device setting is input from the keyboard device 24, the device state setting information is output by voice. Then, the setting contents are output as a voice message from the voice output unit 28.

Next, the operation procedure for inputting the device state setting will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the "cursor" key and the "s" key (hereinafter referred to as the "ctrl-s" key) of the keyboard device 24 are assigned as the composite keys indicating the start and end of the device setting of the recognition level, and the device state setting information input unit 27 is preliminarily set. Register in.

Here, in order to set the recognition level, FIG.
When the "ctrl-s" key is pressed to instruct the recognition level setting start from the keyboard device 24, the device state setting information input unit 27 retrieves the information of the compound key and sets the recognition level. It is determined that the key is a key, and the input of the setting value of the recognition level is enabled.

Therefore, for example, when the recognition level "2" is input from the keyboard device 24 and the "ctrl-s" key is pressed again to instruct the end of the recognition level setting, the device state setting information input section 27 causes the recognition level to be recognized. “2” is registered and the set value “2” is sent to the device state setting unit 11.

The device state setting unit 11 sets the set value "2" in the information recognition unit 5 and also outputs the voice output unit 28.
The voice output unit 28 outputs the registered content as a voice message to notify the operator. Further, if the registration operation as described above is performed again after setting the device state, it is easy to change the device state once set.

In this way, if the device setting is performed by the key input from the keyboard device 24, even if the device state setting information or the special mark indicating the device state setting information cannot be written in the document, each sheet or Information can be read and recognized by changing the device state in one sheet. Further, when it is not necessary to set the device state for each sheet, it is possible to save the trouble of resetting.

In the above embodiment, the setting of the recognition level has been described, but the same can be applied to the setting of the reading sensitivity, but at that time, a composite key indicating the start and end of the setting of the reading sensitivity is separately set. May be. Further, although the composite key is used when setting the device, a specific key of the keyboard device may be assigned.

Here, a new effect of the input device 1'of this embodiment will be described. As an improvement of the man-machine I / F, (1) When the input from the keyboard device is simpler and more convenient, it can be used, so that the flexibility of the input work is increased. (2) The keyboard device and the optical reading device can be connected to the system device by one connection cord (keyboard I / F cable), and the input work by the optical reading device and the keyboard device can be alternately performed.

[0074]

As described above, according to the input device of the present invention, the input information by the information input means other than the keyboard device such as the OCR or the tablet input is the same keyboard signal as the key operation input from the keyboard device. Since it can be input to the system device as it is, it can be used by directly connecting it to various data processing devices using a general keyboard device, and the versatility and flexibility of the input means are increased, thus improving the man-machine interface. Can be made

Further, the device states such as the reading density and the recognition level are automatically set for each document, and the device states such as the reading density and the recognition level are automatically set according to the information in one document. The device status can be set directly from the keyboard device. Therefore, since it is not necessary to interrupt the reading process to set the device state, information can be input smoothly, the operator's work load at the time of information input can be reduced, and the device can be read according to the information on the document. Since the state can be changed, the recognition rate of information can be increased and input can be performed reliably.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a data processing device 3 using the input device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a document used in the input device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a keyboard operation code creation table.

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

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard signal creation information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of keyboard operation data.

8 is a flowchart showing information input processing including device state setting of the input device 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing information input processing by the input device 1 in the same manner.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining an example of actual character input processing by the input device 1.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an input device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention together with a data processing device 3.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which a special mark for device state setting is written on a document used in this embodiment.

13 is a flowchart showing information input processing by the input device 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an input device 1'of yet another embodiment of the present invention.
It is an external appearance perspective view of the data processing apparatus 3 using.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the input device 1 ′ together with the data processing device 3.

16 is a flowchart showing information input processing by the input device 1'shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure of device state setting input from the keyboard device during the information input process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1'Input device 1a Platen glass 1b Lid 1c Operation panel 2,25 Keyboard interface (I / F) cable 3 System device 4 Information input section 5 Information recognition section 6 Keyboard operation code creation section 7 Keyboard operation code creation information storage section 8 keyboard signal creation unit 9 keyboard signal creation information storage unit 10 keyboard signal output unit 11 device status setting unit 20, 23 manuscript (sheet) 21 device status setting information entry field 22 special mark identification unit 24 keyboard device 26 keyboard signal switching unit 27 Device status setting information input unit 28 Audio output unit M1, M2, M3
Special mark

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An information input means for optically reading and inputting information such as characters printed or handwritten on a manuscript, and an input information recognizing means for recognizing the information input by the means and outputting a recognition code thereof. And a keyboard operation code creating means for converting the recognition code from the means into a keyboard operation code, a keyboard signal creating means for converting the keyboard operation code from the means into a keyboard signal corresponding to the system device, and the keyboard signal A keyboard signal output means for outputting to a system device such as a data processing device through a keyboard interface is provided, and a reading density or a recognition level etc. written in the head portion of the original by a recognition code from the input information recognition means. Device state setting information of the device, and the information based on the device state setting information. An input device comprising a device status setting means for setting the status of the input means or the input information recognition means. 2. An information input means for optically reading and inputting information such as characters printed or handwritten on a manuscript, and an input information recognizing means for recognizing the information input by the means and outputting the recognition code. A keyboard operation code creating means for converting the recognition code from the means into a keyboard operation code; a keyboard signal creating means for converting the keyboard operation code from the means into a keyboard signal corresponding to the system device; A device for providing a keyboard signal output means for outputting to a system device such as a data processing device via a keyboard interface, and a device such as a reading density or a recognition level written in the manuscript by a recognition code from the input information recognition device. A special mark identifying means for identifying a special mark for state setting, and the means And an apparatus state setting means for setting the state of the information input means or the input information recognition means based on the apparatus state setting information of the special mark identified by the input device. 3. An information input means for optically reading and inputting information such as characters printed or handwritten on an original, and an input information recognizing means for recognizing the information input by the means and outputting the recognition code. A keyboard operation code creating means for converting the recognition code from the means into a keyboard operation code; a keyboard signal creating means for converting the keyboard operation code from the means into a keyboard signal corresponding to the system device; A keyboard signal output means for outputting to a system device such as a data processing device via a keyboard interface is provided, and a keyboard device is provided or connected, and device state setting information such as reading density or recognition level is input from the keyboard device. Device state setting information input means and device state input by the means An apparatus state setting means for setting a state of the information input means, the input information recognition means, or the like based on setting information.