KR101361063B1 - Letter input apparatus and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a character input apparatus and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a character input apparatus and method capable of inputting a plurality of characters in succession in a limited writing plane.

Character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the character point extraction unit for extracting the feature point from the input character stroke, and the character stroke position to analyze the positional relationship between the previous character stroke and the current character stroke based on the extracted feature point And a character stroke check unit that checks whether the current character stroke is necessary when the position relation analysis result is not a proper position relation.

Character input, character stroke, positional relationship, character division

Description

Character input apparatus and method thereof

The present invention relates to a character input apparatus and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a character input apparatus and method capable of inputting a plurality of characters in succession in a limited writing plane.

1 is a diagram illustrating a method of inputting a character in an input device having a conventional limited writing plane.

As shown, a remote control having a small touch pad area for text entry is shown. On a remote controller having a small touch pad area, one hand may write with a thumb or two hands with a finger. However, a remote controller having a small touch pad area has a problem in that it is not easy to continuously input characters because the area is not large enough to input more than one letter.

2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating a method of distinguishing consecutive characters on a conventional PC.

As a method of distinguishing consecutive characters on a conventional PC, as shown in FIG. 2A, the characters are distinguished according to the horizontal position in the letter plate that is spread from left to right, and in the positions of the left and right letter boxes as shown in FIG. 2B. According to the method of classification and as shown in Figure 2c, after a certain time after the character input (time-out) can be divided into a method of separating the characters. However, the above methods require two or more letters of input space or have a problem of waiting a certain time when inputting letters.

Korean Patent Publication No. 194-0020258 (Online Character Recognition System) compensates for the missing points due to the time difference between the overlapping points and the shorthand among the X coordinates and Y coordinates of the letters entered through the tablet input means. To examine the character and to recognize the character, calculate the total length of the stroke, the distance between the start point and the end point of the stroke by using the coordinate points having the corrected fixed point size and the number of fixed points as X and Y sides. Although a technique of recognizing a character stroke has been disclosed, there is no mention of a technique of separating characters overlaid continuously based on the positional relationship of input character strokes and whether a current character stroke is needed.

The technical problem of the present invention is to enable the continuous input of multiple characters in a limited writing plane.

The technical objects of the present invention are not limited to the technical matters mentioned above, and other technical subjects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the character input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a feature point extraction unit for extracting a feature point from the input character stroke, and the position between the previous character stroke and the current character stroke based on the extracted feature point A character stroke position analysis unit for analyzing a relationship and a character stroke check unit for checking whether the current character stroke is necessary when the position relationship analysis results are not a proper position relationship.

In addition, the character input method according to an embodiment of the present invention, extracting a feature point from the input character stroke, analyzing the positional relationship between the previous character stroke and the current character stroke based on the extracted feature point; If it is not a suitable positional relationship as a result of the positional relationship analysis, checking whether the current character stroke is necessary; and based on the analyzed positional relationship and whether the character stroke is necessary, the currently input character stroke is the previous character. If it is determined that the stroke is not the same character as the stroke, dividing the previous character stroke and the current character stroke.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

According to the character input device and method of the present invention as described above has one or more of the following effects.

The user has the advantage of being able to input characters continuously by writing the next character directly on top of the previously written character on the small size touchpad.

In addition, you can enter characters continuously, so you can quickly enter the characters you want because you do not have to wait a certain amount of time before entering the next character or give a separate signal that the character input is complete. There is an advantage.

In addition, since it is possible to continuously write in place, it is possible to input a character with one hand, so there is an advantage in that it is possible to enter a character in a mobile environment or without watching the line when watching TV.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the character input apparatus 100 includes an input unit 110, a feature point extractor 120, a character stroke position analyzer 130, a character stroke checker 140, a character divider 150, and a storage unit. 160, the display unit 170 and the controller 180 is configured. Here, the character input device 100 refers to a device that allows a user to input a character or symbol, such as a PDA, a mobile phone, a remote control.

The input unit 110 receives a character stroke input from a user. Here, the input unit 110 inputs a character stroke input from the user through a pressure sensing touch pad, a capacitive touch pad, an inductive current sensing tablet, a pen mounted on a pen tip of a camera, a pen mounted on an ultrasonic sensor, or the like. Receive. In addition, a character stroke is a line or dot drawn at a time by a pen (or finger) when inputting a character. In other words, a stroke is called from the point where the user first touches the pen (or finger) when the character is input until the pen is released.

The feature point extractor 120 extracts a feature point from each input character stroke. Here, the character point of the character stroke refers to a point that can represent the overall shape of the character stroke, and the start point of the character stroke, the end point of the character stroke, the local maximum and minimum values of the X coordinate, and the local maximum and minimum values of the Y coordinate. Position. In addition, the local maximum / minimum value means that the point has a maximum or minimum value around the point.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the user inputs a character stroke of 'a', the feature point extractor 120 may start the stroke 41, the stroke 45, the local maximum value of the X coordinate ( 41) and the minimum value 43, the local maximum value 42 and the minimum value 44 of the Y coordinate.

Here, the local maximum value of the X coordinate and the local maximum value of the Y coordinate can be obtained as follows.

Here, t denotes a point of any one of the stroke start point to the stroke end point (ie, t = 1 to n), and w denotes the entire section of the character stroke.

The character stroke position analyzer 130 analyzes and calculates the positional relationship between the previous character stroke and the current character stroke based on the feature points extracted by the feature point extractor 120. Here, the positional relationship between the character strokes is that in the case of character strokes belonging to the same character, the character stroke inputted later in time is located from top to bottom and left to right on a plane compared to the previously inputted character stroke. Therefore, the character stroke position analysis unit 130 checks whether the position relation of the character stroke as described above is satisfied.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the direction satisfying the up-down, left-right relationship with respect to the current point 51 is indicated in green, and the direction not satisfied is indicated in red. This is because, in general, when a character is input, the next character stroke is input from the upper direction to the lower direction and from the left direction to the right direction based on the character stroke first input.

5B and 5C, in order for the letter 'B' to be input, a vertical stroke (for example, |) is input first, and a '3' shape curve stroke is input next.

Next, the character stroke position analysis unit 130 analyzes the positional relationship between the feature points of the previous stroke (eg, |) and the current stroke (eg, three shapes).

For example, the character stroke position analysis unit 130 checks the direction of the feature point 54 of the current stroke (for example, 3 shapes) from the feature point 52 of the previous stroke (for example, |), and moves the previous stroke. The feature point 53 checks the direction of the feature point 58 of the current stroke, and checks the directions of the feature points 55, 56, 57 of the current stroke based on the previous stroke. As a result of the check, the positional relationship between the feature point of the previous stroke and the current stroke is all in the left direction to the right direction, so the character stroke position analysis unit 130 has the character strokes of the letter 'B' input by the user. It can be seen that an appropriate positional relationship is satisfied.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5D, when the user inputs a new stroke (for example, /) for inputting the letter 'A' after inputting the letter 'B', the character stroke position analyzer 130 may be used. Analyzes the positional relationship by checking the direction of the feature points 59 and 60 of the oblique stroke (for example, /) and the feature points 52 to 58 of the previous strokes.

As a result of the check, the positional relationship between the oblique stroke (e.g. /) and the previous strokes is from left to right (e.g., the proper direction), from right to left (e.g., overlap direction). Since the ratio is higher, it can be seen that the positional relationship is not suitable.

Here, the method of determining whether the characters are the same is to extract the positional relationship between the feature points of the strokes, and to determine how much the ratio of the positional relationship having an overlapping direction among the total positional relations is compared with a predetermined threshold. Can be judged through That is, when the ratio of the overlap direction among the total positional relationship is high, it is determined that the proper positional relationship is not satisfied, and the currently input character stroke and the previous character stroke are not determined to be the same character stroke.

The character stroke checker 140 checks whether the character stroke is required for the character stroke after analyzing the positional relationship between the character strokes through the character stroke position analyzer 130.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the character stroke checker 140 determines whether a stroke is added as the stroke is input to the letter 'A'. Here, whether or not the character stroke is necessary can be divided into insufficient states, sufficient states, and many states.

That is, if the second character stroke is input after the first character stroke is input, the character stroke position analysis unit 130 analyzes the positional relationship between the two strokes, and then the character stroke check unit 140 adds an additional stroke to the character stroke. Determine if it is necessary. Here, the character stroke check unit 140 determines that the character stroke is insufficient when the first two strokes are input. The character stroke checker 140 determines whether the character stroke is necessary by comparing the stroke of the previously stored character with the input character stroke.

Next, when the third stroke is input, the character stroke position analyzer 130 analyzes the positional relationship between the existing character stroke (ie, the first and second character strokes) and the third character stroke, and then checks the character stroke check unit 140. Determines whether a third input character stroke is required. Here, the character stroke check unit 140 determines that the character stroke is sufficient.

Thereafter, when the fourth stroke is input, the character stroke checker 140 determines whether the fourth stroke is input. Here, the character stroke checker 140 determines that the character stroke is too many.

Therefore, the character stroke checker 140 may determine whether the stroke in the character is exceeded as described above by comparing the stroke of the character previously stored in the character stroke with the character stored in the storage 160. Here, the storage unit 160 stores the number of strokes and the direction of stroke for each character in a dictionary form. On the other hand, as another example of determining whether the additional character stroke is necessary, there is a method of collecting the learning data for the case where the character stroke is insufficient, the character stroke is sufficient and the character stroke is left to generate a template.

If the character splitter 150 determines that the currently input character stroke is not the same character as the previous strokes, the character stroke position analyzer 130 and the character stroke check unit 140 analyze and check the character. Divide.

For example, it is assumed that the user inputs a stroke belonging to the letter 'BA' on the touch pad, as shown in FIG. 7A. When the user inputs the letter 'B' and then inputs the first stroke of the letter 'A', the feature point of the character stroke through the feature point extractor 120, the character stroke position analyzer 130, and the character stroke checker 140. Extraction, analysis of positional relationship between character strokes, and judging the necessity of added current stroke.

As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the position interval between the character strokes and the current character stroke are not necessary, the character division unit 150 determines that the first stroke of the currently input 'A' is not the same character as the previous strokes, and thus the input character ' Split the first stroke of B 'and the letter' A 'into the screen.

That is, the first stroke of the letter 'B' and the letter 'A' (for example, /) is provided on the screen.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, it is assumed that the user inputs a stroke belonging to the letter 'horizontal' to the touchpad. After the user inputs the letter 'ga', and then inputs 'ㄹ' in succession, the feature point extractor 120 extracts the character point through the feature point extractor 120, the character stroke position analyzer 130, and the character stroke checker 140. In addition, it analyzes the positional relationship between the character strokes and determines the need for an added current stroke.

As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the position interval between the character strokes and the current character stroke are not necessary, the character division unit 150 determines that the first stroke of the currently entered 'ro' is not the same character as the previous strokes, and thus the input character ' Divide the first stroke of 'a' and 'to' and provide it to the screen.

That is, the first stroke of the letter 'ga' and the letter 'ro' (eg, d) is provided on the screen.

The storage unit 160 stores the number of strokes and the stroke direction for each character in a dictionary form. The display unit 170 divides the characters input by the user on the touch pad and displays them on the screen.

The controller 180 controls operations of the respective functional blocks 110 to 170 constituting the character input device 100.

Herein, the term " part " used in the present embodiment means a hardware component such as software or an FPGA or an ASIC, and 'part' performs certain roles. However, 'part' is not meant to be limited to software or hardware. &Quot; to " may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to play one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, 'parts' may refer to components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, and processes, functions, , Subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided in the components and components may be further combined with a smaller number of components and components or further components and components.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a character input method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, when a user inputs a predetermined character stroke on the touch pad (S810), the input unit 110 transmits the input character stroke to the feature point extractor 120.

Next, the feature point extractor 120 extracts the feature point from the input character stroke (S820). Here, the feature point of the character stroke refers to a position having the start point of the character stroke, the end point of the character stroke, the local maximum and minimum values of the X coordinate, and the local maximum and minimum values of the Y coordinate. Since the process of extracting the feature points of the character stroke has been described with reference to FIG. 4, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the character stroke position analyzer 130 analyzes the positional relationship between the previous character stroke and the current character stroke based on the feature points extracted by the feature point extractor 120 (S830). Here, since the process of analyzing the positional relationship of the character stroke has been described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5D, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

 Next, the character stroke position analyzer 130 determines whether the position relation of the character strokes is up-down and left-right as a result of the analysis (S840). As a result of the determination, when the positional relationship of the character strokes is appropriate (that is, the example of S840), the controller 180 discriminates the previous character stroke and the current character stroke as a character stroke belonging to the same character and waits for input of the next character stroke ( That is, the process S810 is performed again).

If the positional relationship is not suitable as a result of the determination in step S840 (that is, no in S840), the character stroke check unit 140 compares the character stroke previously stored in the storage unit 160 with the current character stroke, and is currently inputting the character stroke. Check whether this is necessary (S850).

If it is determined that the current character stroke is a required character stroke (ie, S860), the controller 180 adds the current character stroke to the buffer (S880). Here, the need for the current character stroke means that the currently input character stroke is a stroke in the same character as the previous input character stroke, and should wait for input of the next stroke (that is, perform the process S810 again). In addition, the process of adding the current character stroke to the buffer is to temporarily store the character stroke to complete one character, and the character stored in the buffer is then completed as one character and provided to the display panel.

If the current character stroke is not necessary as a result of the check in step S860 (that is, No in S860), the character divider 150 divides the current stroke and the previous strokes to complete one character with the previous strokes. (S870).

Next, the controller 180 stores only the current character stroke in the buffer (S880). Here, the controller 180 determines the current character stroke as the start of a new character, and waits for input of the next stroke (that is, performs process S810 again).

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, You will understand. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.

1 is a diagram illustrating a method of inputting a character in an input device having a conventional limited writing plane.

2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of distinguishing consecutive characters on a conventional PC.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of extracting feature points of a character stroke in a character input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating an example of analyzing a positional relationship between character strokes input by a character input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example of checking whether a character stroke is required in a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating an example of dividing a character when inputting a character stroke in a character input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a character input method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: character input device 110: input unit

120: feature point extraction unit 130: character stroke position analysis unit

140: character stroke checker 150: character divider

160: storage unit 170: display unit

180:

Claims (10)

A feature point extracting unit extracting feature points from the input character stroke; A character stroke position analyzer for analyzing a positional relationship between a previous character stroke and a current character stroke based on the extracted feature points; A character stroke check unit that checks whether the current character stroke is necessary if the position relation analysis result is not a proper position relation; And If it is determined that the currently input character stroke is not a stroke of the same character as the previous character stroke based on the analyzed positional relationship and the necessity of the character stroke, the previous character stroke and the current character stroke are divided. And a character divider for completing one character with previous character strokes. The method according to claim 1, And the feature point is a start point of the character stroke, an end point of the character stroke, a local maximum and minimum value of an X coordinate, and a local maximum and minimum value of a Y coordinate. The method according to claim 1, The character stroke position analysis unit analyzes whether a positional relationship between the previous character stroke and the current character stroke satisfies a left-right position relationship and an up-down position relationship. The method according to claim 1, The character stroke checking unit may compare the number of previously stored character strokes and the direction of the character stroke with the input character stroke to check whether the character stroke currently input is necessary. delete Extracting feature points from an input character stroke; Analyzing a positional relationship between a previous character stroke and a current character stroke based on the extracted feature points; Checking whether the current character stroke is necessary if the positional relationship analysis result is not a proper positional relationship; And If it is determined that the currently input character stroke is not a stroke of the same character as the previous character stroke based on the analyzed positional relationship and the necessity of the character stroke, the previous character stroke and the current character stroke are divided. And completing one character with character strokes. The method according to claim 6, And the feature point is a starting point of the character stroke, an end point of the character stroke, a local maximum and minimum value of an X coordinate, and a local maximum and minimum value of a Y coordinate. The method according to claim 6, Analyzing the positional relationship between the character strokes, Analyzing whether a positional relationship between the previous character stroke and the current character stroke satisfies a left-right position relationship and an upper-lower position relationship; And And determining the input character stroke as a stroke in the same character when the positional relationship is satisfied as a result of the analysis. The method according to claim 6, Checking whether the current character stroke is necessary, Comparing the number of previously stored character strokes and the direction of the character strokes with the input character strokes to check whether character strokes are required; And And determining that the input character stroke is a stroke in the same character and awaiting input of the next character stroke, if the current character stroke requires a character stroke. The method according to claim 6, Dividing the character, And dividing when the positional relationship between the character strokes is not suitable or when the current character stroke is not required.

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