WO1990002992A1 - Appareil de definition de symboles - Google Patents

Appareil de definition de symboles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1990002992A1
WO1990002992A1 PCT/AU1989/000379 AU8900379W WO9002992A1 WO 1990002992 A1 WO1990002992 A1 WO 1990002992A1 AU 8900379 W AU8900379 W AU 8900379W WO 9002992 A1 WO9002992 A1 WO 9002992A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
character
stroke
chinese
characters
entry
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1989/000379
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ronald Howard Thomas
Helmut Stohr
Original Assignee
Ronald Howard Thomas
Helmut Stohr
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=25643540&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=WO1990002992(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Ronald Howard Thomas, Helmut Stohr filed Critical Ronald Howard Thomas
Publication of WO1990002992A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990002992A1/fr
Priority to GB9025476A priority Critical patent/GB2238414B/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/018—Input/output arrangements for oriental characters

Definitions

  • strokes Each stroke type is characterized by its size and direction, and over fifty strokes may be used to form the most complex characters, although most characters can be defined with between six and twenty-one strokes. Each character has a particular stroke count number associated with it, although the official stroke count number can vary from the actual stroke count number in a small number of cases.
  • Characters include one or more of a group of two hundred and fourteen basic characters called "radicals" which are used with additional strokes to form characters with meanings or sounds related to that of the contained radical. Radicals are also characters.
  • a further problem confronting users and students of the Chinese language is the difficulty of finding the exact shap and meaning of a character using a dictionary.
  • the primary access mode for a Chinese dictionary is by reference to the official number of strokes for that character.
  • a user must then search the section of the dictionary devoted to characters with that official stroke count number, using the logical radical contained within the character to further sub-divide the search category.
  • Word processing using Chinese characters presents a similar problem, as hitherto it has been very inconvenient t define the desired characters for input to the word processo using a keyboard.
  • Some Chinese word processors utilise digitizing pads for their inputs, and the operators must dra the characters one at a time on the pad. Digitizing pads ar expensive and require considerable digital processing for relating the scanned image on the digitizing pad to the character which was intended.
  • the present invention aims to alleviate the above disadvantages a.nd to provide symbol definition apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use. Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter become apparent.
  • this invention in one aspect resides broadly in character definition apparatus for an electronic information processing apparatus, said character definition apparatus including:- character sub-element entry means for the electronic information processing apparatus; character sub-element data storage means; and character identification means for identifying characters according to the sub-element content thereof.
  • the character may be any desired character or symbol, including a pattern or a logo.
  • the character is a Chinese writing character, and the sub- elements are the strokes from which a Chinese character is formed.
  • the character may be a symbol according to another language such as Japanese, or a scientific symbol such as a component of a mathematical equation.
  • the character identification means may include any desired identification criteria. It is preferred, however, that the character identification means include stroke size and stroke shape data, and may also include the stroke order in which strokes are added to form a character.
  • the character sub-element entry means may be adapted for the provision of stroke order data by the sequential entry of stroke size and shape data or by other stroke order definition means.
  • the character identification means may also include apparatus for identifying characters according to their stroke count number.
  • the stroke count number may be entered through stroke count entry means such as a numeric keypad, and may be utilised as the complete character identification means for characters having a unique stroke count, or as par of an identification strategy including stroke order data, i which case the desired character may be identifiable using less stroke order data than is necessary without the use of stroke count data.
  • the character identification means may include provision for designating selected character strokes as unknown strokes or "wildcards" such that characters which are imperfectly known may be entered.
  • the character sub-element entry means may include moveable digitizing means such as a "mouse” or a digitizing pad, and the digitizing means may be used for the selection of sub-elements or characters displayed on display means suc as a video screen, or for defining the shapes of the strokes or the characters. It is preferred, however, that the character sub-element entry means include a plurality of entry means such as keyboard keys, and that each character stroke be associated with a respective entry means whereby selected character strokes may be input through the characte sub-element entry means in a manner analogous to typing the letters of an alphabetic word.
  • the keyboard keys may be arranged in any desired configuration, such as a double-arc configuration adapted fo convenient simultaneous engagement with the tips of the fingers.
  • the keyboard keys are arrange in a pair of key groups of adjacent keys disposed remote fro one another whereby each key group may be conveniently operated by the fingertips of a hand.
  • Supplementary data entry keys may be disposed about and between the key groups, and may include data entry keys for the entry of alphanumeric data, numeric keys for entering numbers such as stroke counts, and control keys for controlling the display or the functions of the information processing apparatus.
  • the electronic information processing apparatus may take any desired form. For instance, it may be in the form of, or programmed for a word processor or the like, or may be adapted for providing information relating to characters entered into the processing apparatus for educational purposes, or for reference purposes such as a dictionary.
  • the processing apparatus may be formed as a compact portable "electronic dictionary" such that a user may be provided with a convenient source of reference data, or as an aid to teaching.
  • computer processing apparatus for assembling text in Chinese language characters, said computer processing apparatus including:- a memory comprising:-
  • this invention resides in a method of entering Chinese characters into an electronic processing apparatus, said method including:- providing character definition apparatus having Chinese character stroke entry means for the electronic information processing apparatus, character stroke data storage means an character identification means for identifying characters according to the character stroke content and order thereof; and operating said character stroke entry means for entry of the character strokes forming a character in the stroke order defined by standard practice.
  • the method may further include subdividing the characte set into character data segments according to character stroke count number and using an entered stroke count number for access to the desired one of said character data segments, whereby the proportion of the total character set which must be searched by the entry of character stroke content and order may be minimised, and whereby the number of character strokes which must be entered before a unique character definition is achieved may be minimised.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of the stroke number allocations made to the eight basic character strokes from which Chinese characters are formed;
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic processing apparatus according to the invention;
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram of the keyboard of the electronic processing apparatus in the word-processing mode
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram of the keyboard shown in*FIG. 3 in the character search mode.
  • FIG. 5 shows a further data-entry keyboard
  • FIG. 6 shows a series of screen displays for a computer programmed according to the invention, each of the eigh screen displays showing the selections of characters fo each of the eight available strokes as the first stroke of characters, and
  • FIG. 7 shows further detail of the displays of FIG. 6.
  • the eight basic character strokes 10 through 18 which are used in the formation of Chinese characters have been allocated arbitrary stroke numbers one to eight respectively. These stroke numbers are utilised by the electronic processing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 2 as numerical reference codes for storage and retrieval of character data.
  • the electronic processing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 2 has a central processing unit 21 to which are connected a keyboard 22, a program storage unit 23 and a character storage unit 24.
  • a visual display unit 25 for displaying the retrieved characters and a printer 26 for printing the characters are also connected to the central processing unit 21.
  • the character information stored in the character storage unit 24 includes the stroke numbers one through eight allocated to the various strokes along with stroke order data, such as the storage sequence of the stroke numbers within the character information, together with the stroke count number for that character.
  • the keyboard 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has eight stroke entry keys 31 to 38 corresponding to the basic character strokes 10 to 17 respectively.
  • the stroke entry keys 31 to 34 are grouped in a left-hand key group 40, while the stroke entry keys 35 to 38 are grouped in a right-hand key group 41.
  • Function key groups 42 and 43 are disposed to the left of the left-hand key group 40 and to the right of the right-hand key group 41 respectively, while a back-space key 44, a "wildcard" key 45 and a pair of up-down arrow keys 46 and 47 occupy the space between the key groups 40 and 41.
  • An upper key row 50 includes keys for standard word- processing symbols, as well as the Chinese dollar symbol 51 and the Chinese character equivalent to "note well" 52.
  • a standard numeric keypad assembly 53 is included at the extreme right-hand side of the keyboard 30.
  • the keyboard 30 is adapted for operation in two modes - a word-processing mode in which all keys other than the stroke entry keys 31 to 38 and the function keys 44 and 45 are active, and a search mode in which only the stroke entry keys 31 to 38, the function keys 42, 43, 44, and 45, the "alternate” key 54, the "enter” key 55, the "less than or equal to” key 56 and the “delete” key 57 are active. In the latter mode, the arrow keys 46 and 47 become “stroke count keys".
  • the keyboard is placed in the search mode by pressing any one of the stroke entry keys 31 to 38, and shifts to the word-processing mode after the "enter" key 55 is pressed.
  • the processing unit 21 flags all characters in the character storage unit 24.
  • pressing one of the stroke entry keys 31 to 38 will initiate a search of the character storage unit 24 which will unflag all characters which do not begin with that stroke.
  • a search is initiated of all remaining flagged characters, and characters not containing the two character strokes in the same order as they were entered are unflagged. Further character strokes may be defined by further entries via the stroke entry keys 31 to 38, and each time a new character stroke is defined, the remaining flagged characters which do not include the stroke in the entered order are unflagged.
  • the process may continue until only one character remains flagged, and this character may then be displayed on the visual display unit 25 for acceptance or rejection by the operator.
  • the processing unit may be programmed to display all flagged characters when only a small number remain. The operator may then select the correct character by pressing the appropriate one of the keys in the function key groups 40 and 41.
  • the processing unit advances to search the next stroke in each flagged character upon the next operation of one of the stroke entry keys 31 to 38. If a stroke count key 46 or 47 is pressed, numeric keys followed by the enter key 55 may be pressed to enter the stroke count of the desired character. All characters not having this stroke count are then unflagged. If the "less than or equal to" key 56 is pressed after the numeric sequence instead of the "enter" key 55, all characters having a greater stroke count than the entered number are unflagged. Depending on the number of characters having a particular stroke count, entering the stroke count may reduce the necessity for entering strokes substantially. For instance, only one character has fifty-two strokes. Using the stroke count option in this case reduces the keystrokes required to uniquely define the character from fifty-two to three.
  • the keyboard shown in FIG. 5 has a layout similar to that of one of the standard English-language keyboards, and is configured such that it may be utilised accordingly.
  • selected keys are marked with Chinese characters, and the four arrow keys, the "Home” key, the “End” key, the "PgUp” key and the “PgDn” key are marked with the eight basi character strokes.
  • Other keys are marked with radicals whic are frequently used in the formation of Chinese characters.
  • a stroke key is pressed, a two-part window appears o the screen, as shown in FIG. 6.
  • the stroke is displayed in simplified form in the left-hand portion of the window, and the most common five characters which ' begin with that stroke appear in the right-hand portion of the window, with the mos common character central and highlighted. If this character is the required one, it may be selected and attached to a stored text string by pressing the "Enter" key. If one of the other four displayed characters is the desired one, it may be selected by pressing the appropriate arrow key to highlight it before pressing the "Enter” key. Should none o the characters be the desired one, a further stroke key is pressed, and the five most common characters with this strok content are then displayed for selection.
  • the stroke key history is constantly displayed in the left-hand window portion. Should a wrong stroke key be pressed, it may be removed with the backstroke key before the correct one is pressed.
  • a radical key is pressed before pressing a stroke key
  • characters based on the radical and incorporating that stroke will be shown in the right-hand window portion, and may be selected as detailed above.
  • Chinese characters often contain repeated radicals, and such characters may be selected by pressing a radical key a number of times.
  • Chinese text also often contains repeated characters, and these may be produced by pressing the "Enter" key a number of times.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Document Processing Apparatus (AREA)
  • Information Retrieval, Db Structures And Fs Structures Therefor (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à une machine de traitement de texte (20) pour pictogrammes chinois, qui comporte une unité de visualisation (25) et un clavier (22) contenant huit touches de saisie (31 à 38), dont chacune représente l'une des formes de frappes de pictogrammes utilisées dans l'écriture pictographique chinoise. Une unité de mémoire (24) pour pictogrammes stocke les pictogrammes sous la forme de chaînes de codes de formes de frappes de caractères, conjointement avec l'ordre d'entrée des frappes traditionnel. Les touches de saisie (31 à 38) sont pressées dans l'ordre d'entrée des frappes traditionnel et les pictogrammes n'incluant pas de frappes dans l'ordre entré sont écartés par un processus de sélection jusqu'à ce que le pictogramme désiré ou une petite sélection de pictogrammes soit définis. Le nombre de frappes d'un pictogramme peut être utilisé comme critère de recherche pour le pictogramme à introduire.
PCT/AU1989/000379 1988-09-05 1989-09-05 Appareil de definition de symboles WO1990002992A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9025476A GB2238414B (en) 1988-09-05 1990-11-21 Apparatus for assembling text

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPJ024788 1988-09-05
AUPJ0247 1988-09-05
CA000615436A CA1331057C (fr) 1988-09-05 1989-09-29 Appareil de definition de symboles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990002992A1 true WO1990002992A1 (fr) 1990-03-22

Family

ID=25643540

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1989/000379 WO1990002992A1 (fr) 1988-09-05 1989-09-05 Appareil de definition de symboles

Country Status (4)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH04502223A (fr)
CA (1) CA1331057C (fr)
GB (1) GB2238414B (fr)
WO (1) WO1990002992A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0574110A1 (fr) * 1992-06-09 1993-12-15 Edward P.H. Woo Méthode et système pour retrouver des caractères idéographiques et leurs entrées associées dans le dictionnaire
GB2292824A (en) * 1994-08-30 1996-03-06 Teck Yong Chia Input of Chinese characters into computer by stroke(s) selection
DE19549060A1 (de) * 1995-12-29 1997-07-03 Siemens Ag Übertragung von aus Grundelementen zusammengesetzten asiatischen Schriftzeichen über den Kurz-Nachrichten-Dienst eines Mobilfunknetzes
GB2313688A (en) * 1996-05-29 1997-12-03 Well Being Electronics Character input apparatus and method
GB2359400A (en) * 2000-02-21 2001-08-22 Kenwood Corp Character input
SG100656A1 (en) * 2000-03-24 2003-12-26 Sony Corp Character input method and character input apparatus
US6947771B2 (en) 2001-08-06 2005-09-20 Motorola, Inc. User interface for a portable electronic device

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU4825979A (en) * 1978-06-22 1980-01-03 Ideographic Systems Ltd. Character selection keyboard
GB2060231A (en) * 1979-10-12 1981-04-29 Int Telecommunications Adminis Easy and Flexible Method of Inputting Ideogram-type Language Characters into a Computer System
GB2062916A (en) * 1979-11-06 1981-05-28 Ncr Co Method and apparatus for producing ideographic text
GB2066534A (en) * 1979-12-14 1981-07-08 Shui Yin Lo A method of and apparatus for specifying and forming characters
US4379288A (en) * 1980-03-11 1983-04-05 Leung Daniel L Means for encoding ideographic characters
GB2116341A (en) * 1982-02-25 1983-09-21 Bock James E Interactive chinese typewriter
GB2118749A (en) * 1982-03-23 1983-11-02 Barnea Z Character manipulation
GB2125197A (en) * 1982-07-22 1984-02-29 Pingyi Zhi Encoding chinese characters
US4500872A (en) * 1982-03-18 1985-02-19 Dai-E Systems, Inc. Method for encoding Chinese characters
US4684926A (en) * 1984-05-14 1987-08-04 Yong Min Wang Universal system of encoding chinese characters and its keyboard

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2950800A (en) * 1956-10-24 1960-08-30 Graphic Arts Res Foundation In Ideographic type composing machine

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU4825979A (en) * 1978-06-22 1980-01-03 Ideographic Systems Ltd. Character selection keyboard
GB2060231A (en) * 1979-10-12 1981-04-29 Int Telecommunications Adminis Easy and Flexible Method of Inputting Ideogram-type Language Characters into a Computer System
GB2062916A (en) * 1979-11-06 1981-05-28 Ncr Co Method and apparatus for producing ideographic text
GB2066534A (en) * 1979-12-14 1981-07-08 Shui Yin Lo A method of and apparatus for specifying and forming characters
US4379288A (en) * 1980-03-11 1983-04-05 Leung Daniel L Means for encoding ideographic characters
GB2116341A (en) * 1982-02-25 1983-09-21 Bock James E Interactive chinese typewriter
US4500872A (en) * 1982-03-18 1985-02-19 Dai-E Systems, Inc. Method for encoding Chinese characters
GB2118749A (en) * 1982-03-23 1983-11-02 Barnea Z Character manipulation
GB2125197A (en) * 1982-07-22 1984-02-29 Pingyi Zhi Encoding chinese characters
US4684926A (en) * 1984-05-14 1987-08-04 Yong Min Wang Universal system of encoding chinese characters and its keyboard

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0574110A1 (fr) * 1992-06-09 1993-12-15 Edward P.H. Woo Méthode et système pour retrouver des caractères idéographiques et leurs entrées associées dans le dictionnaire
GB2292824A (en) * 1994-08-30 1996-03-06 Teck Yong Chia Input of Chinese characters into computer by stroke(s) selection
DE19549060A1 (de) * 1995-12-29 1997-07-03 Siemens Ag Übertragung von aus Grundelementen zusammengesetzten asiatischen Schriftzeichen über den Kurz-Nachrichten-Dienst eines Mobilfunknetzes
GB2313688A (en) * 1996-05-29 1997-12-03 Well Being Electronics Character input apparatus and method
GB2313688B (en) * 1996-05-29 2000-05-10 Well Being Electronics Character input apparatus and method
GB2359400A (en) * 2000-02-21 2001-08-22 Kenwood Corp Character input
GB2359400B (en) * 2000-02-21 2004-06-16 Kenwood Corp Character input
SG100656A1 (en) * 2000-03-24 2003-12-26 Sony Corp Character input method and character input apparatus
US6947771B2 (en) 2001-08-06 2005-09-20 Motorola, Inc. User interface for a portable electronic device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2238414B (en) 1993-04-28
GB2238414A (en) 1991-05-29
GB9025476D0 (en) 1991-01-09
CA1331057C (fr) 1994-07-26
JPH04502223A (ja) 1992-04-16

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