JPS6151281A - Real time character recognizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a character input operation efficient and to smoothen it by executing sequentially the character recognition processing of a character in the midst of hand-writing whenever strokes of a character are inputted and displaying the recognition result on a display screen while said result is up-dated. CONSTITUTION:Whenever strokes of a hand-written character are inoptted from an input tablet 1, a recognition part 14 of a control circuit 3 executes the recognition processing of the character concerned, and outputs the recognition result to either one of output buffers 4A and 4B. For instance, when KANJI (Chinese character) is hand-written, the 1st stroke is recognized as a pattern shown as figure (1) in the first step where the 1st stroke is written, figure (2) in the 2nd stroke writing step, figure (3) in the 3rd stroke step, figure (4) in the 4th stroke step, figure (7) in the 7th stroke step and figure 8 in th 8th stroke step. Provided that in the 5th and 6th writing steps of the character is ignored because a KANJI pattern concerned does not exist.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Technical Field of the Invention> The present invention executes character recognition processing in real time for kanji, etc. handwritten directly on an input tablet or CRT display screen, and displays the recognition results on the display screen. This invention relates to a real-time character recognition device that outputs characters.

<Background of the Invention> Conventionally, this type of device employs a method in which each time character information for one character is input, that character information is extracted, character recognition processing is executed, and the recognition result is output to a CRT display screen. It is being Therefore, in order to perform character recognition processing smoothly and properly, it is necessary to accurately perform character extraction processing. As a method for cutting out characters, a method for managing the time that the tip of the brush is away from the writing surface, a method for detecting when the tip of the brush moves to a character writing position, and a method that combines both of these methods are adopted. However, in the case of the former method of time management, if the management time is set long, it will take a long time to output the recognition results, whereas if the management time is set short, the character recognition process will be completed in the middle of writing.
There are disadvantages such as frequent misrecognition and poor recognition. In addition, in the case of the latter method that detects the position of the brush tip, recognition results cannot be obtained just by simply finishing writing a character, and the previous written character input can only be confirmed at the stage of writing the next character. Character input operations are extremely inconvenient.

<Object of the Invention> The present invention provides a real-time character recognition device that eliminates the drawbacks of the above-mentioned methods at once, and aims to streamline and smooth character input operations.

<Structure and Effects of the Invention> In order to achieve the above object, the present invention sequentially executes character recognition processing for the current character being written every time a stroke of the character is input when a character is written. The system is configured to update the recognition results and display them on the display screen.

According to the present invention, while the corresponding characters formed during the writing process are displayed on the display screen one after another, the recognition result is immediately obtained as soon as the writing of one character is completed. This invention has a remarkable effect of achieving the purpose of the invention, such as being able to quickly and smoothly perform character input operations without causing problems.

<Description of Embodiments> FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a device according to the present invention, which includes an input tablet 1 for inputting characters by hand, and a plurality of input tablets (two in the illustrated example) for storing input characters. buffer 2
A, 2B, a control circuit 3 that executes character recognition processing and outputs recognition results, a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) output buffers 4A, 4B for storing recognition outputs, and each output buffer 4A, A CRT (Cathode) that displays the contents of 4B.
e Ray Tube).

As shown in FIG. 2, the input tablet 1 includes a touch panel section 6 through which various commands are input by touching the tip of the writing instrument.
and a writing panel section 7 into which handwritten characters are input using the trajectory of the tip of a writing instrument. The touch panel section 6 is equipped with a plurality of touch switches corresponding to key switches on a keyboard, and the end switch 8 is touched and operated as necessary when writing of one character is completed, thereby sending a signal to that effect to the control circuit 3. given to. Further, the erase switch 9 is touched and operated when erasing the current character being written, and the front frame erase switch 10 is touched when erasing the previously written character. The writing panel section 7 is equipped with a writing surface 11 on which a brush tip trajectory can be detected, and a form 12 is written on this writing surface 11.
, and input characters are written in the character frame 13 printed on the form 12.

In the case of this embodiment, two input/output buffers are connected to the input tablet 1 in a switchable manner, so that, for example, information on a character written in the first character frame 13a is sent to one of the input buffers 2A and output buffer 4A. The information of the character written in the second character frame 13b is stored in the other input buffer 2B and the output buffer 4B, and the information of the character written in the third character frame 13C is stored in the input buffer 2A and the output buffer. 4A (in this case,
Previous information will be updated. ) As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 3 includes a recognition unit 14 that executes character recognition processing, and a memory 1 that stores programs for character recognition processing and various data.
5, and a CPU (Ce) that decodes the program and controls the operation of the recognition section 14, and also controls the input/output operations of the input tablet 1 and the display section 5 via the input/output control section 16.
Each time a stroke of a handwritten character is input from the input tablet 1, the recognition unit 14 executes a recognition process for the corresponding character and sequentially sends the recognition result to one of the output buffers jA, Output to 4B. For example, when inputting the kanji character ``bayashi'' by hand, it is recognized as the kanji character ``-'' (ichi) when the first car is written down (as shown in Figure 4 (1)), and then the second car is written (shown in Figure 4 (1)). In the writing stage of the third car (shown in Figure 4 (3)), the kanji character ``sai'' (sai) appears in the writing stage of the fourth car (shown in Figure 4 (3)). 4)
) in the writing stage of the 7th car (shown in Figure 4 (7)), the kanji ``wood'' (sai) in the writing stage of the 7th car (shown in Figure 4 (7)), ) is recognized as the kanji ``hayashi'' (hayashi). In addition, the writing stage of the 5th and 6th side (
In FIG. 4 (51 (indicated by 61)), there is no corresponding kanji pattern and it is ignored.

FIG. 5 shows the operation flow of the above device. If you now place the form 12 on the input tablet 1 and write the strokes of a character in the character frame, the writing trajectory will be detected and the input strokes will be stored in one input buffer 2A (step 21.2
2). Next, the CPU 17 immediately takes in the contents of the input buffer 2A and causes the recognition unit 14 to execute recognition processing for the corresponding character at the current writing stage (step 23).

In this case, the recognition unit 14 compares the input characters with standard patterns in the dictionary, and if there is a pattern match, the recognition unit 14 performs step 24.
becomes “YFI”, and the recognition result is sent to one output buffer 4.
At the same time, the contents of the output buffer 4A are displayed on the display section 5 (step 25.2'6).

At this stage, if you find a typo in the previously written character, if you touch the front frame erase switch 10 on the touch panel section 6 with the tip of the writing instrument, the screen will appear in step 2.
7 becomes YES, and the previous written character is erased from the input buffer 2B, output buffer 4B, etc. Then, in place of the erased character, a new character is rewritten in the corresponding previous character frame, and then the process proceeds to step 29. The determination becomes "YES" and the process returns to step 21, where the input of the next stroke for the current character being written is accepted.

Also, during the writing of the current character or at the end of writing,
When the tip of the writing instrument is brought into contact with the erase switch 9 on the touch panel section 6, the determination in step 30 becomes ``YES'', and the information related to the current written character is erased from the two input covers and the output buffer 4A (step 31). Returning to step 21, the re-input of the current character is accepted.

When one character has been written in this way, step 32 returns Y.
ES'=, and in step 33, the characters input before the previous time, the other input buffer 2B and output buffer 4
B is cleared, and the circuit is switched so that the character information corresponding to the turnout buffer is stored.

Note that the character input means of the present invention is not limited to the input tablet of the above-described embodiment, but may be of a structure in which input is made by hand with a light pen or the like onto a CRT display screen, for example.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of an input tablet, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of a device according to the present invention. 4 (1) to (8) are explanatory diagrams showing the handwriting of handwritten characters, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device. l...Input tablet 2A, 2B...Mountain/input buffer 3...Control circuit 4A, 4B...Output buffer 5...Display section 3;A 3 Figure C6 (6) (?) (θ) “Times [times]

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A means for detecting and capturing the writing trajectory of handwritten characters on a writing surface, a means for storing character input by following the strokes, and a means for recognizing the corresponding character each time a stroke is input. A real-time character recognition device comprising means for sequentially outputting recognition results, means for updating and storing recognition outputs, and means for displaying stored recognition outputs. (2) The real-time character recognition device according to claim 1, wherein two or more means for storing the character input and two or more means for storing the recognition output are provided.