JPS60150122A - Character pattern input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a character pattern input device which is capable of layout for only desired information on a medium in a desired format, by using an handset incorporating a scanner which supplies the image information on a character pattern and a memory part for effective image information. CONSTITUTION:An operator sets a medium 1 to a data tablet 7 and then sets a handset 9 at the start position of the character pattern information to be supplied. Then the handset 9 is moved up to the end position of the pattern information while having a contact with the medium 1. An input operation is through when the handset 9 is separated from the medium 1. At the same time, the position information on the handset 9 is transmitted to a handset control part 90 from a place over the tablet 7. Then the input start position coordinates are registered on an effective image information memory 50. When this registration is over, the picture signals delivered hereafter from the handset 9 are accepted by the part 90. Then the shifting direction and speed of the handset 9 are measured successively according to the coordinate information transmitted from the tablet 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (1) Description of the field to which the invention pertains The present invention relates to an image input method that scans and photoelectrically converts image information such as characters and figures on a medium and converts it into a file in a 17I image memory or outputs it to the outside. The present invention relates to a character/graphic input device that is capable of laying out only a wide range of information on a medium in a desired format.

(2) Description of the Prior Art Conventionally, in this type of device, after inputting the entire medium from another scanner device, an indicator (which displays the image of the input image on a display and moves a cursor on the display on a tablet) is used. (hereinafter referred to as the mouse) to move the
Images on the display screen were edited using additional functions installed on the mouse. FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional character/figure input device, in which 1 is a medium such as a sheet of paper, 2 is image information on the medium, 3 and 4 are scanner sections, 5 is an image memory, 6 is a display, and 7 is a data tablet, and 8 is a mouse. The scanner section 3, like a normal facsimile terminal, is used to insert media one by one and input an image of the entire surface of the media.

Further, the scanner section 4 is suitable for inputting a bound file, a bound document, etc., like a normal copying machine, and can input a document while it is stationary. Jin's device is 3 or 4
The scanner unit scans the medium 1, displays an image of the entire medium on the display 6, and uses the functions of the mouse 8 to edit the input image (shaping, copying, moving, erasing patterns, etc.).

Although this type of device has excellent editing functions on the display, it requires a page scanner to handle the media, and the operation is complicated because inputting image information and editing are mutually different work processes. In addition, there were other drawbacks that became a bottleneck in securing installation space and lowering the price of the device. Also.

Because the format is to enter the entire screen once and then edit it,
If the information to be input from the medium is limited compared to the entire surface of the medium, work efficiency will be significantly reduced.

On the other hand, an image input method using a handset equipped with a small scanner has the advantage that only necessary information can be input by scanning a part of the medium. However, with this input method, there is no means to know the position on the medium where the image information is captured. For this reason, especially when image information is imported from a plurality of locations, the information is usually stored in the order in which it is input, resulting in complications such as the need to separately edit the information on the screen.

This input method also uses the direction of movement of the handset.

Due to speed and other factors, it was necessary to separately measure the hand movements of nine people using a detection means built into the handset.

(3) Purpose of the Invention The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and its purpose is to provide a character and graphic input device with high functionality and excellent operability.

(4) Description of structure and operation of the invention FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the block structure of the apparatus of the present invention, and 1, 2, and 6.7 correspond to FIG. 1, respectively. 50 is a valid image information memory, 9 is a handset which replaces the scanner unit 3 or 4 in FIG. . Here, the data tablet 7 is assumed to be of an electromagnetic induction type or an electrostatic coupling type, which has advantages such as high resolution and high speed.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the handset 9.

91 is an image sensor, 92 is a light source, 96 is an optical lens, 94 is an AD converter, and 95 is a coil (when using an electromagnetic conductive tablet) or an electrode (when using an electromagnetic conductive tablet).

Except for 95, it has the same basic function and structure as an input section in a known hand scanner OCR. Figure 4 shows medium 1
This is an example of text and graphic information written in .

11 represents the input start position, and 12 represents the input end position.

The operator first sets the medium 1 on the data tablet 7, then inputs the text and graphic information, sets the handset 9 to the starting position [11] of the text and graphic information, and moves the handset 9 to the ending position 1i112 of the same information while keeping the handset in contact with the medium. Go. Input is completed by removing the handset 9 from the medium 1. During this time, the position information of the handset is transmitted from above the data tablet 7 to the handset control unit 90, and the input (scanning) start position aI coordinates 11 are registered in the effective image information memory 50. With the completion of this registration, the image signal output from the handset from now on is controlled by the handset control unit 9.
0 is accepted. The handset control unit 90 sequentially measures the moving direction and speed of the handset 9 based on the coordinate information transmitted from the data tablet 7. When the image sensor 91 is a 2-inch type, the 2-star scan (!) input from the set 9 is thinned out by an interval value that is inversely proportional to the moving speed. Also, when the image sensor 91 is a frame type Similarly, frames are thinned out in the same way.The formatting of input image information and deletion of redundancy by these thinning processes are as follows: )・Node set control unit 90
It is done within. Various specific processing methods can be considered, but
Here, a specific example of the expanded 2-in type will be explained.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram expressing the procedure of the thinning color method in a line type, and FIG. 52 is the input image information, 56 is the coordinate information input from the Hiro data tablet, 54 is the coordinate information, 4 is the coordinate change point detection signal, and 55 is the valid image. It is information.

A value comparison circuit 903 is an address counter that controls the write area of the effective image information memory 50, 904 is a data pack memory that holds image data for one line of main scanning, and 905 is a coordinate information buffer memory. The coordinate information 53 obtained from the data tablet 7 is input to the handset control unit 90 in synchronization with the main scanning timing pulse 51, and consists of XY coordinates that change moment by moment as the handset 9 moves. The handset control unit 90 uses these to format input image information.

In the handset control section 90 in the initial state.

Along with resetting the address color/re903.

A coordinate value comparison circuit 902 constantly monitors whether a handset is installed on the surface of the data tablet 7.

The coordinate value comparison circuit 902 is, for example, a logical operation unit such as a microprocessor, and specifically monitors the content of coordinate information and data input to the information buffer memory 905 in synchronization with the timing pulse 51. Since the actual coordinate values are obtained only when the handset 9 contacts the board surface, the coordinate values stored in the coordinate information panzer memory 905 are outputted to the effective image information memory 50. This coordinate value corresponds to the starting position rL11. Furthermore, by sharing the timing pulse C'1, the main scanning result at that point in time is also written into the data buffer memory 904. The coordinate value comparison circuit 902 outputs this main scanning result to the effective image information memory 50 in addition to the above coordinate values. These output destination write area lines are set by the reset address counter 903. Continuing with the coordinate value comparison circuit 902.

The coordinate values before and after input are successively compared until the handset 9 is separated from the data tablet 7.

If the input coordinate values are the same as the coordinate values input immediately before, the main running hill result input at that point is rejected. When a change in coordinate values is detected, a coordinate change point signal 54 is output to the address counter 903.

The content is incremented and the Kli main scanning result is output to the effective image information memory 50.

The above is the content of the process for creating effective image information.9 Since the scanning speed of 9 hands is not uniform, the input image information obtained as 52 in FIG. 5 becomes effective image information 55 and is stored in the effective image information memory. 50. In this way, the effective image information 55 is obtained by removing redundancy caused by speed unevenness due to nine-handed scanning. From the effective image information memory 50, the above input start position coordinates 11
This effective image information 55 is then read out and output to the display 6. The display space 6 has a display space similar to the coordinate space of the data tablet 7, and displays image information input by the operator at a position intended by the operator.

In this embodiment, in order to clearly express the purpose of the invention, the input character/graphic information is parallel to the coordinate axis (X-axis direction) of the data tablet 7, and the direction of movement of the handset is also from right to left. I have proceeded with the explanation with this as an implicit precondition. but.

Correction of fluctuations in the main scanning field of view based on changes in the Y coordinate can be easily realized by the logical operation function of the coordinate value comparison circuit 902, and the address counter 90 can be
It is obvious that by carrying out the control in step 5, it is possible to follow the moving direction of the node set 9 and obtain effective image information. Furthermore, by enhancing the functions of the coordinate value comparison circuit 902 to meet various requirements, it is also possible to automatically detect the direction angle in which the node set 9 is being moved relative to the coordinate axes of the data tablet 7. Therefore, it is possible to have a function of shaping image information for scanning in the Y-axis direction or diagonal direction.

With this configuration, data is tough.

If a medium 1 having the same size as the letter 7 is used, it is possible to save the position on the medium 1 where the character/graphic information 2 is written and input only the necessary information as an image.

Furthermore, by inputting information while being conscious of the coordinate detection function of the data tablet 7, it is also possible to create an image file directly from the medium 1 while laying it out in an arbitrary format.

Next, an example regarding the installation form of the data tablet 7 will be described. FIGS. 7 and 8 each show an example of the positional relationship between the data tablet 7 and the medium 1 on which input data and input data are recorded in the apparatus of the present invention. First, in FIG. 7, the data tablet 7 used is a thin board that is colored when inserted as an underlay of the medium 1.

If the coordinate reading method of the data tablet 7 is 2, for example, the above-mentioned electromagnetic induction method or electrostatic coupling method, it can follow the moving speed of the handset and has excellent coordinate resolution. Since the data tablet 7 is lightweight and thin, it is possible to input information by inserting it into a bile medium 1, and even if the medium 1 is a bound form or a bound document, input can be easily performed.

Next, in FIG. 8, the data tablet 7 used is a transparent disk. If it is a capacitively coupled data tablet, a known transparent disk surface can be used. In this case, contrary to the case shown in Fig. 7, place the data tablet 7 on the medium 1, and then set the data tablet from above. It is input by scanning with . In other words, depending on the configuration shown in FIG. 8, when the handset 9 cannot be moved smoothly (for example,
If the surface of the medium 1 is slightly uneven, the handset 9
When handling a medium 1 that may be damaged if touched directly), etc. can also be input. Also, ruled lines,
Input guidance can be given to the operator by pasting a transparent film on which format information and the like are printed onto the transparent panel, or by printing these directly onto the transparent panel. That is, with the configuration shown in FIG. 7, restrictions on the media that can be handled can be significantly relaxed, and input operability can also be improved.

FIG. 9 shows another example of application of the transparent data tablet 7 described with reference to FIG.

This is a device in which a transparent data tablet 7 is placed on the screen of a display 6, and the operation of the device explained with reference to FIG. 7 can also be performed on the display. Place a document (corresponding to medium 1) on top of the data tablet 7 or between the display surface and the data tablet 7, scan the necessary information with the handset 9, and the scan results will be copied onto the display surface directly below. Once the scan is complete and the paper is removed, the scan results are saved directly on the display screen.

Next, a description will be given of two embodiments in which the functions of the apparatus of the present invention are further improved. FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment showing the block configuration of the device of the present invention.
21-, 9, 50.90 are the same as in FIG. 10
1 is the character pattern cutting section.

102 is a character recognition unit, and 103 is a character code memory.

104 is a display control unit, and 105 is a file memory. The character pattern 7 cutting unit 101 inputs image information from the effective image information memory 50.

It separates into a pattern group for one character and outputs each pattern to the character recognition unit 102. FIG. 11 shows the state of image information stored in the effective image information memory 50, and 201, 202.2'03 correspond to image information, respectively. The image information stored in the effective image information memory 50 in this way is stored in the handset 9.
Fields are separated for each scan result. In the character pattern cutting section, enter 201, 202, 205, etc. as one field unit each, and enter the dimensions, pitch, and
Using field attributes such as as parameters, each field is broken down into patterns for each character. If the line for giving field attributes and the entry format of medium 1 are known, the operator can enter them as initial setting parameters using a keyboard (not shown), etc. A method of automatically detecting them during the single character extraction process, There are methods using a combination of these methods. Note that a known method is used for the specific cutting process, which is outside the scope of the present invention, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

The same applies to the method of weaving the letter g and the method of displaying a mixture of patterns and codes in display control, which will be described below.

The character pattern output from the character pattern cutout section 101 is input to the nine character recognition section 102, and the same pattern is recognized at and ζ. As a result of the recognition process, the character category is determined and the category name, that is, the character code, is output. The character code for Jin is once the character = -to memory 10.
3.

The coordinate values of the data tablet 7 are added to the image information such as 201, 202, 205, etc. 9. These coordinate values are transferred to the display control unit 104 and used as output display position information for the character code on the display 6. That is, the position coordinates held in fields 201 and the like have a one-to-one correspondence with the fields (windows) on the display that display each recognized character string.

Window to switch image display to character display□
You can make two choices. Furthermore, by referring to the field attributes used in character extraction processing, the character size, pitch, etc. of character display can be normalized to the window speed and displayed.

In the display control section 104, the handset control section 9
Completion of input for a processing unit (for example, one document) is detected by a signal output from 0.

This signal is processed according to the processing mode 1 or the operator's request.

It is used to switch the displayed image pattern of the valid image information memory 5.0 to the ;- code pattern stored in the character code memory 103. There are various ways of instructing the completion of these inputs and switching of display patterns.9
If the input form is similar to normal mouse operation, it would be effective to provide a control button on the back of the handset 9 and have the operator specify it using guidance on the display 6. Of course, it is also easy to automate these processes based on specific uses.

File memory 105a + a large-capacity external storage unit that stores electronic files corresponding to a large amount of input manuscripts, and stores the pattern and code mixed display format instructed by the display control unit 104, and the effective image information memory 50. Input the contents of the uncoded image information one-character code memory 103 all at once,
It is something to remember. Various methods of giving instructions for inputting data to the file memory 105 can be selected depending on the purpose of the device.

For example, similar to the display switching above, the non-end set 9
The handset of the present invention can also be provided with a control button to perform file editing processing on the display 6 (usually by moving a cursor using a keyboard (not shown) or a general-purpose mouse). ) followed by the operator's instructions is considered appropriate.

With this configuration, in addition to the benefits obtained from the first embodiment, it also has a function that is not found in normal image processing machines based on -VUS, namely, the ability to encode input image information. Speak with realization. This feature allows
It also saves a lot of storage space for pattern code mixed files.

This has the advantage that existing documents on media, which have conventionally been processed only as image information, can be converted into clean data and created as files.

On the other hand, in comparison with conventional hand scanner OCR, the same OCR
While CR only provides character recognition processing that is synchronized with hand-sevent input, image information with a-number coordinate information is subject to recognition processing, so recognition processing is performed independently of input. It gets cloudy.

In other words, it has the advantage of being able to utilize the free time for inputting image information to perform advanced recognition processing, and does not impair input operability even if it takes a long time to complete the recognition process. It will also be possible to use a large-scale pattern processing system that extracts and processes complex patterns such as kanji characters.

(5) Description of Effects As explained above, the character/figure input device of the present invention is capable of inputting 1IlII images of image information and editing processing of 2 images, which have conventionally been performed by individual processing devices, and inputting characters in images. It integrates recognition processing, and has unprecedented benefits in terms of operability, economy, and functionality in future office automation.

Regarding operability 1 functionality, we also discuss the shape, material 9 dimensions, etc. of the document medium on which input information is written.

There is also the advantage that conventional restrictions on the input information entry format on the medium are significantly relaxed.

As for the original media, since it is scanned using /・nd set, it is possible to input from bound books and bound documents.

The shape does not have to be rectangular, and there is no particular problem even if parts other than the input target part are damaged or soiled. For this reason, for example, a fugitive operation similar to that of a barcode league can be performed on a slip file that has been inserted in advance. Another advantage is that it is possible to input documents that are difficult to handle mechanically, such as irregularities or tears in perforations that are sometimes found when processed by many people. The same applies to the writing format, and since the positional relationship between the data tablet and the medium can be freely selected, characters and figures on the medium with a variety of writing directions and angles, such as vertical and horizontal writing, can be freely selected from 9 image files. [K can be input at any angle.

Another advantage regarding functionality is that by connecting a mouse or implementing a functional unit equivalent to a mouse in the handset itself, post-input image editing can be performed in the same position and in the same way as image input. . Furthermore, since the movement of the handset can be captured by the coordinate detection function of the data tablet, there is no need to implement a special detection system in the handset, and the movement of the handset can be easily and accurately detected. Furthermore, by combining the pattern code conversion function of the 9-character recognition unit, image information extracted from the medium can be extracted.

Since the image information can be used as a keyword for the input file, the 5-image editing machine can also be highly functional.

In terms of economy, the handset of the 9-wire device is cheaper than a normal scanner device, and the capacity of the input file can be reduced by connecting single-character openings.

Note that in the description of the apparatus of the second invention, there is no mention of outputting the processing results to the outside, but offline output can be achieved by providing a printer that directly copies the output of the display in hard copy. Also.

Combining the contents of the effective image information memory and the contents of the character code memory and outputting the combination to an external device can also be easily achieved using known methods.

it is obvious. In addition, if the riLm portion of the first embodiment is used as a remote terminal device, and the expanded portion in the second embodiment is independently used as a center device, it is possible to use a counting terminal device with high-performance characters. It also becomes possible to share the g-identification unit.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional device, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the device of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of the handset, Fig. 4 is an example of character/graphic information written on a document medium, Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure for creating effective image information, and Fig. 6 is a hand scanner control unit. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the positional relationship between the medium and the data tablet. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an application example of the data tablet. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the inventive device, and is an explanatory diagram of the data format on the effective image information memory. 1... Medium, 2... Image information on the medium, 6, 4
... Scanner section, 5... Image memory, 6... Display. 7...Data tablet, 8...Mouse, 9...
Handset, 11... Input start position on medium, 12
...Input end position on medium, 50...Valid image information memory, 51...Timing pulse, 52...
Input image information, 53... Coordinate information, 54... Coordinate change point detection signal, 55... Valid image information, 90
...Handset control unit, 91... Image sensor, 92... Light source, 93... Optical lens, 94...
AD converter, 95... coil or electrode, 101...
・Character pattern cutting section, 102...Character recognition section, 1
03...Character code memory. 104...Display control unit, 105...File memory, 201.202.205...(Valid) image information example. 901... Timing pulse generator, 902... Coordinate value comparison circuit, 906... Address counter, 904
...Data Pack Amemory, 905...Coordinate information Panza Memory. Patent Applicant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation Patent Attorney Mori 1) Hiroshi Figure 2 Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A handset with a built-in scanner that inputs image information of characters and figures, a coordinate detection unit that inputs the position coordinates of the handset, and a redundancy check of a specific area based on the image information and the position coordinates. and an effective image information memory section that cuts out image information and stores it together with the position coordinates. A text/figure input device characterized by inputting effective image information to which layout information of a medium on which text/figures are written is added.゛・(2) A handset with a built-in scanner that inputs image information of characters and figures, a coordinate detection unit that inputs the position coordinates of the handset, and a system that detects redundancy in a specific area based on the corpse image information and the position coordinates and a valid image information memory section that cuts out missing valid image information and stores it together with the position coordinates. It is configured to input valid image information to which layout information of a medium on which characters and figures are written is input, and separate and output an area pattern for one character or one figure from the valid image information stored in the valid image information memory section. a pattern cutting section for determining the category of the region pattern; an identification section for determining the category of the area pattern; and a second memory section for storing the identification result. 1. A character/figure input device comprising: a coordinate table for storing positions of cut out patterns; and converting effective image information outputted to a display area of a nine display unit into category information.