JP3389433B2 - Character data processing device, character data processing method, and medium recording character data processing program - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character data processing device for arranging characters, a character data processing method, and a medium recording a character data processing program.

The present application is particularly effective for arranging handwritten character stroke data that has been separated. Also,
This is effective when arranging character fonts that are output in the style of handwriting.

[0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When printing or displaying handwritten characters, there are usually two cases based on different requirements.

First, the first request is that if a document is printed using a normal font (Mincho type, Gothic type, etc.), the printed document gives an unhuman impression.
This is to prevent this.

In the first conventional case based on the first request, a document created by a word processor is printed in a handwriting style. When you print like this,
For each print character size, character spacing, line spacing, rotation angle, etc.
It has "fluctuation". Also, the characters are continuously transformed into characters. Further, when it is transformed into a continuous character, it is arranged at a position suitable for this continuous character. still,
Processing for such handwritten characters is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-33.
No. 3843 (G09G5 / 24), JP-A-6-110444
Publication (G09G5 / 24), JP-A-7-106660 (B
41J19 / 32), JP-A-5-188917 (G09G5 / 3
2), introduced in JP-A-7-21164 (G06F17 / 21) and the like, and is known.

[0006] The second request is that handwritten handwritten characters are
It is usually not beautiful, so it is to prevent this. In addition, in order to operate a document of handwritten characters in the same manner as a normal document editing process, there is a demand for an apparatus capable of editing handwritten characters in character units.

On the basis of the second request, in the second conventional case, first, the character string input by handwriting is cut out for each character. Then, the cut out characters are transformed into a predetermined rectangular size.

As described above, in the second conventional case based on the second request, when arranging handwritten characters, the character sizes are unified into a predetermined rectangular size, and then the characters are rearranged. There is.

Incidentally, the size unification processing of handwritten characters is described in JP-A-3-122777 (G06F15 / 62) and JP-A-6-4.
It is introduced and publicly known in JP-A-206 (G06F3 / 03), JP-A-7-182449 (G06K9 / 32) and the like.

Further, the above character-by-character segmentation can be performed by diverting a character recognition technique. For example, a cutout technique for handwritten characters is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-
348896 (G06K9 / 34), JP-A-7-2131
No. 2 (G06K9 / 34), JP-A-6-124364 (G06K9 / 34), JP-A-6-162269 (G06K9 / 6)
2) etc. have been introduced.

[0011]

The above-mentioned first problem
In the above case, no problem is raised when the character area and the character area are arranged in an overlapping manner.

For example, when the character string "Kutsubako" is output, the characters may overlap as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b).
Conceivable. For the sake of explanation, a rectangular frame is shown in the figure. In addition, there are cases where it becomes as shown in FIGS.

The present invention has been made in view of the fact that the character area and the character area are arranged so as to overlap each other, which has not been considered in the past. by the way,
In the above-mentioned second case, those skilled in the art have recognized that “the handwritten characters themselves have variations in character size, and the arrangement positions are randomly arranged.”

That is, in order to align handwritten characters, first,
The size of handwritten characters was unified before processing. Therefore, there was no idea of aligning handwritten characters of ununiform size.

The present invention is also an invention developed on the basis of a novel idea completely different from the conventional one, and the overlapping position is detected not only by the area of the character but also by the stroke of the character to set the arrangement position of the character. Is.

As a result, an arrangement suitable for handwritten characters can be achieved. Further, according to the present invention, handwritten characters having variations in character size are arranged at a predetermined character pitch.

The idea of "arranging handwritten characters having variations in character size at a predetermined character pitch" is inconsistent with the conventional recognition by those skilled in the art. As a result, handwritten characters with variations in character size can be arranged in a suitable manner.

Further, in the handwritten character thus arranged, the overlapping state is detected by the stroke of the handwritten character to set the arrangement position of the handwritten character. Further, according to the present invention, handwritten characters having variations in character size are arranged at character intervals according to the character size.

[0019]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a character data processing device for arranging characters, the degree of overlap between characters is referred to at least by referring to the position of the stroke of one character. The feature is that it is detected and the degree of overlap between the characters is adjusted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a character data processing device for arranging characters, handwritten characters whose sizes are not uniform are arranged at a constant character pitch.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the character data processing device according to the second aspect, when handwritten characters of different sizes are arranged at a set constant character pitch, the handwritten characters overlap each other. Is allowed.

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, character cutting means (2) for cutting out a character string input by handwriting for each character,
Make sure that each stroke forming an arbitrary character cut out by the character cutting-out means (2) does not fall within a region (R) occupied by a stroke forming a character positioned before the character in the character arrangement direction. , Character output position adjusting means (3) for adjusting the character output position to determine the output position of the character, and outputting the cut out character to the output position determined by the character output position adjusting means (3). A character data processing device comprising an output means (4), wherein the region (R) occupied by the stroke is a minimum rectangular region obtained by a density of a set of strokes forming a character. To do.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, character cutting means (2) for cutting the character string input by handwriting for each character,
Make sure that each stroke forming an arbitrary character cut out by the character cutting-out means (2) does not fall within a region (R) occupied by a stroke forming a character positioned before the character in the character arrangement direction. , Character output position adjusting means (3) for adjusting the character output position to determine the output position of the character, and outputting the cut out character to the output position determined by the character output position adjusting means (3). A character data processing device comprising an output means (4), wherein the character output position adjusting means (3) has a starting point (P1, P2, P3) which is a part of each stroke forming an arbitrary character, The character output position is determined so that it does not fall within the area (R) occupied by the stroke that constitutes the character positioned before the character in the character arrangement direction, and the area (R) occupied by the stroke is the character. Character data processing device which is a minimum rectangular area determined by the density of the set of each stroke constituting.

[0027]

[0028]

[0029]

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

[0034]

[0035]

[0036]

[0037]

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a character cutout process (2) for cutting out a character string input by handwriting for each character,
Make sure that each stroke forming an arbitrary character cut out in the character cutting process (2) does not fall within the area (R) occupied by the stroke forming a character positioned before the character in the character arrangement direction. , The character output position is adjusted, and the character output position adjustment process (3) for determining the output position of this character, and the cut out character is output to the output position determined by the character output position adjustment process (3). A character data processing method including an output process (4), wherein the region (R) occupied by the stroke is a minimum rectangular region obtained by a density of a set of strokes forming a character. To do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a character cutout process (2) for cutting out a character string input by handwriting for each character,
Make sure that each stroke forming an arbitrary character cut out in the character cutting process (2) does not fall within the area (R) occupied by the stroke forming a character positioned before the character in the character arrangement direction. , The character output position is adjusted, and the character output position adjustment process (3) for determining the output position of this character, and the cut out character is output to the output position determined by the character output position adjustment process (3). A character data processing method comprising an output process (4), wherein the character output position adjustment process (3) is such that a start point (P1, P2, P3) that is a part of each stroke forming an arbitrary character is The character output position is determined so that it does not fall within the area (R) occupied by the stroke that constitutes the character positioned before the character in the character arrangement direction, and the area (R) occupied by the stroke is the character. Characterized in that it is a minimum rectangular area determined by the density of the set of each stroke constituting.

[0040]

[0041]

[0042]

[0043]

[0044]

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

[0053]

[0054]

[0055]

[0056]

[0057]

[0058]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The first embodiment is an example of a pen input computer. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 12 to 26,
First, output of existing document data in a handwriting style will be described.

FIG. 12 is an external view of this pen input computer. FIG. 13 is a simple block diagram of this pen input computer. First, each part will be described.

In FIG. 12, (10) is the pen input computer main body. (12) is a floppy disk (FD) on which document data and the like are recorded. (14)
Is a CD-ROM in which an application program for document processing of the present application is recorded. This program is a hard disk (HD) of a pen input computer (10).
Installed on.

(10a) is an input / display integrated section, which generally comprises a tablet section and a liquid crystal display section. Here, as the tablet, a resistance film pressure sensitive tablet is adopted. Here, the input / display integrated section (10a) is formed by stacking and integrating the tablet section and the liquid crystal display section.
As a matter of course, a liquid crystal display unit having a built-in tablet function may be used (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-53726 (G06F3 / 03
See 3)).

(10b) is a stylus pen.

In FIG. 13, (20) is a CPU. (22) is a built-in memory. The built-in memory (22) is composed of a semiconductor RAM and a hard disk.

This built-in memory (22) has a CD-RO
The application program from M (14), font data, etc. are stored. (24) is a display RAM
It is a display control unit that incorporates (VRAM).

(26) is a liquid crystal display section. (28)
Is a tablet controller. (30) is a tablet unit.

(32) is a CD-ROM drive. (34) is an FD drive. In the internal memory (22), a program storage area (22a) in which the application program from the CD-ROM (14) is installed, a font data area (22b) in which font data is stored, and a document from the FD (12) Document data storage area where data is installed (22
There is c).

When the above-mentioned application program operates, an area required for the operation of this application program is provided. Here, an area for detecting the degree of overlapping of characters is secured. That is, the area (22d) for the previously developed data in which the image data equivalent to the character previously output is stored, and the area for the developed data this time in which the image data equivalent to the character currently output is temporarily stored. An area (22e) and an AND processing area (22f) for detecting overlap are provided.

The application program recorded on the CD-ROM is a document editing program. This program allows keyboard, mouse, and pen input, but since it is installed in the pen input computer, the operation will be briefly described only for pen input.

The pen input computer will be described below. The application program recorded on the CD-ROM (14) is installed in the memory (22) of the pen input computer (10).

The document data recorded in the FD (12) is also
It is installed in the memory (22) of the pen input computer (10). This program is started, and this document data is selected and designated as the document data to be edited.

This document data is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. This display screen mode is "normal display mode"
And is the same as the conventional one. Here, the display screen mode is changed to "handwriting display mode: 1".

The processing in this case will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S21, character data is sequentially read from the document data area (22c) of the memory.

In step S22, the font data corresponding to this character data is set in the font data area (22b).
Read from. In step S23, this font data is deformed with "fluctuation".

In step S24, the output position is set to "fluctuation".
Will be decided temporarily. In step S25, whether the output position of the font transformed based on this font data is detected according to the degree of overlap with the previous character, and is reset if it is inconvenient. This resetting method will be described later.

In step S26, the modified font is output to the display control section (24). In step S27, a loop is formed for the next character data to perform the same processing.

The operation in step S25 described above is shown in FIG.
6, this will be described with reference to FIG. Step S31
Then, based on the output position provisionally determined in step S24, the rectangular frame area developed when the modified font is output is compared with the rectangular frame area of the previously developed character,
The presence or absence of polymerization is detected. It should be noted that detecting overlapping of rectangular frame areas is known in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-80742 (G09G5 / 32).

If there is overlapping of the rectangular frame area, step S3
In 2 to S35, the degree of overlapping of strokes of characters is detected. First, in step S32, the deformed font which is the previous character that has already been output is expanded in the expanded data area (22d) as shown in FIG. 17A.

In step S33, the transformed font output this time is displayed in the expanded data area (2
Expand to 2e). In step S34, as shown in FIG. 17C, the contents of the area (22d) and the area (22e) are ANDed and output to the area (22f).

In FIG. 17C, the outline of the modified font is shown for the sake of explanation, but the actual output is only the area (01, 02). In step S35, the presence / absence of output in the area (22f) is detected, and if there is output, stroke overlapping occurs. Therefore, in step S36, the output position is reset.

In the above description, first, step S
Although the overlap of the stroke is detected after detecting the overlap of the character rectangular frame area at 31, the overlap of the stroke may be detected from the beginning.

Further, in the above description, when the stroke overlap exists, the output position is reset from the beginning, but it may be moved by a predetermined distance in the character arrangement direction. In this case, since the horizontal writing display is performed, the moving direction is the right lateral direction. In the case of vertical writing display, the vertical direction is downward.

Further, in the above description, the display of the pen input computer has been described, but the present application is not limited to this, and a computer with a mouse / keyboard or a PDA device may be used. It is also used when printing out by connecting a printer.

Further, in the explanation of this display mode, overlapping of strokes is detected and the output position of the deformed font is reset or moved and corrected, but the present application is not limited to this.

An example of another display mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20. Change the display mode to "Handwriting display mode: 2". The operation in this mode is also similar to that of FIG. 15, but the operation content in step S25 is different from the operation of FIG.

The operation in step S25 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Step S4 of FIG.
In 2 to S45, based on this output position, the writing start point of each stroke when the deformed font is output is compared with the character rectangular frame area of the previously developed character.

First, in step S42, the rectangular frame area of the deformed font, which is the previous character that has already been output, is expanded into the area (22d) as shown in FIG. 19 (a). still,
In FIG. 19A, for the sake of explanation, not only the rectangular frame area of the character but also the modified font outputted and outputted last time is displayed, but in reality, only the rectangular frame area is displayed.

In step S43, the writing start point of the deformed font to be output this time is set to the area (22) as shown in FIG.
Expand to e). In FIG. 19B, the outline of the modified font is shown for the sake of explanation, but the actual output is only the starting point (P1).

In step S44, as shown in FIG.
AND the contents of area (22d) and area (22e)
It is processed and output to the area (22f). FIG. 19 (c)
Then, for the sake of explanation, the character rectangular frame area and the outline of the modified font are shown, but the actual output is only the area (01) corresponding to the start point.

Then, in step S45, it is detected by the area (22f) whether or not the writing start point of the stroke of the character to be developed this time exists in the previously developed rectangular area.

If the stroke handwriting start point exists in the previously developed development area, the output position is reset in step S46. That is, in this display mode, FIG.
The display of (a) is acceptable, but the display of FIG.
Will be fixed.

In the above description of the display mode, the output position of the deformed font is reset or moved and corrected so that the overlapping of the rectangular area and the current stroke is prohibited, but the present application is not limited to this. is not.

Another example will be described with reference to FIGS. Change the display mode to "Handwriting display mode: 3". The operation in this mode is similar to that of FIG.
The operation content in step S25 is different.

The operation in step S25 will be described.
First, in step S52 of FIG. 21, the deformed font, which is the previous character that has already been output, is developed in the area (22d) as shown in FIG. 22 (a).

In step S53, as shown in FIG.
The data in the area (22d) is extended in the left direction (-X direction), and data is inserted and filled in on the left side of the font position to make a stroke occupied area.

In step S54, the start point of the deformed font to be output this time is set to the area (22e) as shown in FIG. 22 (c).
Expand to. In FIG. 22C, the outline of the deformed font is shown for the sake of explanation, but the actual output is only the starting point (P1).

In step S55, as shown in FIG.
AND the contents of area (22d) and area (22e)
It is processed and output to the area (22f). Note that FIG.
Although the occupied area and the outline of the modified font are shown in (d) for the sake of explanation, the actual output is only the area (01) corresponding to the start point.

In step S56, it is detected by the area (22f) whether or not the writing start point of the stroke of the character developed this time exists in the occupied area which has been developed last time.
If the stroke handwriting start point exists in the occupied area that has been developed last time, the output position is reset in step S57.

That is, in this display mode, FIG.
The display is modified as shown in. In the above description, the stroke occupied area is
Although only the −X direction (left direction) is set, the present application is not limited to this.

Another example will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25. Change the display mode to "Handwriting display mode: 4". The operation in this mode is similar to that of FIG.
The operation content in step S25 is different.

The operation in step S25 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S61, as shown in FIG. 25A, the upper left area (E1) is filled as an occupied area from the start point position of each stroke of the deformed font which is the previous character that has already been output.

The outline of the deformed font is also shown in FIG. 25A for the sake of explanation, but the actual output is only the upper left area (E1). In step S62, the transformed font is expanded, and then, as shown in FIG.
The data of d) is extended in the -X direction, and the portion on the left side of the font development position is filled in to form the stroke occupied area (E1 ').

In step S63, as shown in FIG.
The starting point (P1) of the deformed font to be output this time is expanded to the area (22e). In step S64, FIG.
As in (d), the contents of the area (22d) and the area (22e) are ANDed and output to the area (22f).

In FIG. 25D, the outline of the deformed font is shown for the sake of explanation, but the actual output is only the area (01) corresponding to the start point. And step S
At 65, it is detected from the area (22f) whether or not the writing start point of the stroke of the character to be developed this time exists in the occupied area that has been developed last time.

If the stroke handwriting start point exists in the occupied area previously developed, the output position is reset in step S66. That is, in this display mode, as shown in FIG.
As in 6, the display is modified.

In the above description, the character arrangement is corrected by comparing the character stroke to the character stroke, the character rectangular frame area to the character stroke start point, and the character stroke occupied area to the character stroke start point.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the character arrangement may be performed by character rectangular area-character stroke, character stroke occupied area-character stroke, character stroke start point-character stroke start point, or the like.

In short, the information on the stroke of the current character and
The output position of the current character may be set according to the expansion information of the previously expanded character. So far,
The display of existing document data in a handwriting style was described.

Next, alignment of handwritten characters will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 to 31. In this case, an area is additionally set in the memory (22). As shown in FIG. 28, in this operation, an area required for this operation is defined and provided. In other words, a storage area (22g) for the coordinate series input from the tablet and a stroke data storage area (2 for storing this coordinate data as stroke data).
2h), a format storage area (22i) in which formats such as character pitch are stored is provided.

Next, the operation will be described. First, in the well-known "character recognition mode", handwritten characters are recognized and displayed as shown in FIG. This FIG. 27
In the example, it also has a kana-kanji conversion function.

Next, the "electronic ink mode" will be described. The processing in this case will be described with reference to FIG. Incidentally, among the processing in this case, S71 to S74, S7
6 is the same as the conventional "character recognition mode" and is well known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will be briefly described.

First, in steps S71 and S72, if there is coordinate data input from the tablet (30) via the tablet control unit (28), it is drawn on the display unit (26) via the display control unit (24). Let

In step S73, it is detected that the handwriting input has not been input for a predetermined time or more, and the coordinate data input so far is processed. In step S74, this coordinate data is converted into stroke data. This conversion to stroke data simplifies the input coordinate data. For example, a coordinate data string indicating a straight line can be thinned out to start point coordinate data and end point coordinate data.

In step S75, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the character string (hereinafter referred to as the reduction ratio) is set so that the vertical width (h2) of the drawn character string in FIG. 30 fits within the display line width (h1).
Find h1 / h2.

In step S76, the character string input by handwriting is cut out for each character with reference to the stroke data. In step S77, the character size is reduced so that the vertical width of the character cut out for each character fits within the display line width (h1). Note that this is an internal process and the display has not changed.

In step S78, a process of erasing the drawing of the pen handwriting drawn in step S72 is performed. Here, the image before the pen handwriting is drawn is overwritten on the area drawn in step S72.

In step S79, the value of the character pitch preset by the user is read and the output position is determined. In step S80, the handwritten character is output to the display unit via the display control unit so as to be displayed at the output position.

In step S81, the same process is performed for the stroke data forming the next character. Figure 30
Handwritten characters are displayed as shown.

This operation will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 31, FIG. 31A shows handwritten characters. FIG. 31B shows a rectangular frame of each cut out character.

FIG. 31 (c) shows each of the cut characters. The characters cut out are arranged at a predetermined character pitch. Note that the size of the handwritten character in FIGS. 31D and 31E is h1 as compared with FIGS. 31A to 31C.
/ h is doubled, but in FIG. 31, it is assumed to be the same.

That is, the handwritten characters are arranged at a predetermined character pitch with a predetermined interval as shown in FIG. 31 (d). In FIG. 31D, for the sake of explanation, the equally-spaced character pitch and the rectangular frame of each character are shown.

FIG. 31E shows handwritten characters arranged. In this way, since the handwritten characters with variations in size are arranged at equal character pitches, the handwritten characters are easy to see.

As described above, the present application has proposed the idea of arranging handwritten characters without arranging the sizes. By the way, the following problems may occur for a user who writes with very distinctive characteristics.

That is, there are cases where the size of the handwritten character varies too much and the cutout position of the handwritten character is erroneous. A case of such erroneous cutout processing will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 32A shows handwritten characters. FIG. 32B shows a rectangular frame of each character that is erroneously cut out.

FIG. 32 (c) shows each of the characters cut out by mistake. FIG. 32D shows a state in which the cut out characters are arranged at equal character pitches. Here, for the sake of explanation, the equally-spaced character pitch and the rectangular frame of each character are shown.

FIG. 32E shows handwritten characters arranged at equal character pitches. In this way, when the characters having the cut-out position errors are arranged at the character pitches at predetermined equal intervals, on the contrary, the characters may be difficult to read.

A mode example for improving this problem is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Set the mode to "Electronic ink mode (overlap adjustment)". The operation in this mode is also substantially the same as that in FIG. 29, as shown in FIG.

The operation shown in step S90 of FIG. 33 is different. In this step S90, overlapping detection of characters is performed, and when overlapping, the output position is reset.

The operation in step S90 is shown in FIG. In step S101 in FIG. 34, the development area (22
In FIG. 35D, the occupied area (E) is located in the upper left area from the start point of each stroke of the previously output character in FIG.
Fill as 1). In FIG. 35 (a), the outline of the handwritten character is shown for the sake of explanation, but the actual output is
Only the upper left area (E1).

In step S102 of FIG. 34, in the expansion area (22d), the left side area of each stroke of the previously output character is filled. Therefore, a filled occupied area (E1 ′) is obtained as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 35B, handwritten characters are shown for the sake of explanation, but the actual output is the occupied area (E
1 ') only. In step S103, the starting point (P1, P2, P3, P4) when the current character is output to the output position set based on the predetermined equidistant character pitch is expanded to the area (22e).

In step S104, the contents of the area (22d) of FIG. 35 (b) and the area (22e) of FIG. 35 (c) are AND-processed as shown in FIG.
Output to area (22f) in (d).

In FIG. 35 (d), the outline of the character is shown for the sake of explanation, but the actual output is only the area (01, 02, 03) corresponding to the start point. Then, in step S105, it is detected by the area (22f) whether or not the writing start point of the stroke of the character developed this time exists in the area occupied by the previous character.

If the stroke handwriting start point exists in the occupied area previously developed, the output position of the current character is moved to the right and reset in step S106. In this mode, the output position is corrected as described above.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 37, it is assumed that writing is performed and erroneous cutting is performed. FIG. 36A shows this handwritten character. FIG. 36B shows a rectangular frame of each character that is erroneously cut out.

FIG. 36 (c) shows each of the characters cut out by mistake. FIG. 36D shows a state in which the characters that have been cut out are arranged at regular character pitches and the above-described output position is corrected. Here, for the sake of explanation, the equally-spaced character pitch and the rectangular frame of each character are shown.

FIG. 36E shows handwritten characters arranged. That is, in this display mode, FIG.
Is displayed. As described above, according to the present application, it is possible to arrange handwritten characters in a distinguishable manner even if the cutout position is incorrect.

In the above description, the character output position is corrected by comparing the character arrangement with the character occupied area vs. the character stroke starting point, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, in the above description, the equally-spaced character pitch is predetermined by the user, but in order to divide the handwritten character string,
It may be a value corresponding to the average character pitch estimated from the handwritten character string.

In the above description, what is handwritten on the computer is displayed.
It is also possible to process and output the input coordinate sequence data or stroke data obtained from another computer via or communication.

Further, in the above description, the superposition of characters is obtained by AND processing of the expansion area, but this may of course be realized by a list of conditional expressions by the program.

In the above description, the font data is
Although a normal font is used, it may be a handwritten font input by the user in advance. In short, it suffices to know the starting point of the stroke.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, when characters are arranged, the degree of overlap with the previous character is improved.

However, conversely, it is conceivable that the characters are packed and output in preparation for the difficulty of reading. That is, in the first embodiment, when the predetermined character pitch is set to "0", the characters can be packed and output.

A handwritten character data processing device that operates equivalently to this case will be described below as a second embodiment. The second embodiment will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, this handwritten character data processing device comprises an input device 1, a character cutting device 2, a character display position adjusting device 3 and a display device 4. The input device 1 is composed of an electromagnetic induction type tablet and a pen.

The electromagnetic induction type tablet can detect not only the tablet surface of the electromagnetic induction type pen but also the separated state of the pen. Therefore, the input device 1 uses the pen coordinates (x, y) and the pen state (pen FA
R, pen OFF, pen ON) can be detected at regular time intervals and the data can be output.

Here, the pen FAR means that the pen tip is far away from the writing surface, the pen OFF means that the pen tip is far from the writing surface, and the pen ON means that the pen tip is the writing surface. Is in contact with.

Therefore, by writing a character or the like on the tablet using the electromagnetic induction type pen, a set of strokes (handwritten input data) is input by the data including the coordinates and state of the pen.

The character slicing device 2 uses a known character slicing technique to cut out each character from the handwriting (set of strokes) input via the input device 1. The character display position adjustment device 3 adjusts the display position in the writing direction of the character cut out by the character cutout device 2 according to a display condition described later to determine the display position of the character.

The display device 4 is composed of a display such as an LCD. In the display device 4, the character cutting device 2 is placed at the display position determined by the character display position adjusting device 3.
The characters cut out with are displayed.

Next, the process of adjusting the display position of the character in the writing direction in the character display position adjusting device 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In addition, in this flowchart, “n” is a value indicating which character of the input handwriting the character cut out by the character cutting device 2 is.

First, in step S1, n is set to 2 in order to determine the display position of the second character in the writing direction.
Is substituted. It is assumed that the display position of the first character (the first character) has been determined.

Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the nth character (the second character in the first routine) satisfies the set display condition. In step S2, if the nth character satisfies the setting condition, the process proceeds to step S4, and if it does not satisfy the setting condition, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the display position of the n-th character in the writing direction is adjusted and determined so that the display position of the n-th character in the writing direction satisfies the display condition described later. Then, the display device 4 is caused to display the character at the determined display position.

Then, the process proceeds to step S4, where n + n
1 is substituted and n is incremented. Next, the process proceeds to step S5, and it is determined whether or not there is the nth character incremented in step S4. In this step S5, if it is determined that there is an incremented nth character, the process returns to step S2,
The processes of steps S2 to S4 are repeated until the nth character is exhausted. If it is determined in step S5 that the nth character has no data, the adjustment processing of the display position of the character in the writing direction ends.

The display conditions described in step S3 are as follows. (Display condition 1) The starting point of each stroke forming the nth character is not within the area occupied by the stroke forming the n-1th character.

(Display condition 2) A part of each stroke forming the nth character is not within the area occupied by the stroke forming the (n-1) th character.

The area occupied by the stroke here is set by any one of the following setting conditions. (Setting condition 1; see FIG. 3A) The smallest rectangular area surrounding each stroke forming a character is defined as an area R occupied by the stroke.

(Setting condition 2; see FIG. 3 (b)) For each stroke constituting a character cut out by the character cutting device 2, first, projection is performed in the horizontal direction (lateral direction, X direction). At this time, if there is a stroke, it is set to "1", and if there is no stroke, it is set to "0", and each stroke is weighted in the X direction. By doing this, the number of strokes at a certain X coordinate can be known, and
The presence / absence of a stroke at the X coordinate is determined.

Then, in the common part of weighting in the X direction and the Y direction, a rectangular area in which the number of weights is a certain value or more is
The minimum area R enclosing the strokes forming the character is set.
In other words, it is considered that only a dense set of strokes is in the region R occupied by strokes, and a sparse set of strokes is outside the region R occupied by strokes.

In this way, the minimum rectangular area obtained by the density of the stroke set is the area R occupied by the strokes forming the character. (Setting condition 3; see FIG. 3C) Each stroke forming a character is given a certain amount of width in the X direction and the Y direction, and an area surrounding this is defined as an area R occupied by the stroke. (Setting condition 4; see FIG. 3D) The rightmost point forming a character is projected in the left direction from this point, and this projected area is defined as the area R occupied by the stroke.

Next, the process of adjusting the display position of the character in the writing direction in the character display position adjusting device 3 will be specifically described by using an actual character example for each of the above setting conditions 1 to 4. (1) When the setting condition 1 is adopted As shown in FIG. 4A, the setting condition 1 determines the region R occupied by the stroke for the "large" which is the n-1th character.

(1-1) When Display Condition 1 is Applied Display condition 1 is satisfied because the starting points P1 and P2 of the strokes forming the “person”, which is the nth character, are
This is a case where it is not within the region R occupied by the strokes that make up “large”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the starting point P2 of the "person" is adjacent to the "large" area R,
The display position of the "person" in the writing direction is determined.

(1-2) When Display Condition 2 is Applied Display condition 2 is satisfied because a part of the stroke forming "person" is not within the region R occupied by the stroke forming "large". This is the case. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4C, the display position of the "person" in the writing direction is determined so that a part of the strokes forming the "person" is adjacent to the "large" region R. It

(2) When the setting condition 2 is adopted As shown in FIG. 5A, the region R occupied by the stroke is determined by the setting condition 2 for the "large" which is the n-1th character. .

(1-1) When Display Condition 1 is Applied Display condition 1 is satisfied because the starting points P1 and P2 of the strokes forming the "person" which is the nth character are
This is a case where it is not within the region R occupied by the strokes that make up “large”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the start point P2 of the "person" is adjacent to the "large" region R,
The display position of the "person" in the writing direction is determined.

In this case, the "large" region R and a part of the strokes forming the "person" overlap each other, making it difficult to distinguish "large" and "person" as different characters. It can be barely identified.

If "ground" is the nth character instead of "person", the starting points P1, P2, P3, ... Of the strokes forming this "ground" are located to the left of the center of the entire character. Therefore, “large” and “ground” are output as shown in FIG. (2-2) When Display Condition 2 is Applied Display condition 2 is satisfied when a part of the strokes forming “person” is not within the region R occupied by the strokes forming “large”. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, the display position of the “person” in the writing direction is determined so that a part of the strokes forming the “person” is adjacent to the “large” area R. It In this case, some of the strokes that make up "Large" and some of the strokes that make up "Person" overlap, but "Large" and "Person" can be sufficiently distinguished as different characters. Is.

(3) When the setting condition 3 is adopted As shown in FIG. 6A, for the "large" which is the n-1th character, the setting condition 3 determines the region R occupied by the stroke. .

(3-1) When Display Condition 1 is Applied The display condition 1 is satisfied when the starting points P1 and P2 of the strokes forming the "person" which is the nth character are
This is a case where it is not within the region R occupied by the strokes that make up “large”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, the start point P2 of the “person” is adjacent to the “large” region R,
The display position of the "person" in the writing direction is determined.

Further, in the case of "large" and "ground", FIG. 6 (d)
As shown in FIG. 5, for the “large” region R, the starting points P1 of the strokes forming the “ground” that is the nth character are
The display position of the "ground" in the writing direction is determined so that P2, P3, ... Are adjacent to each other. (3-2) When Display Condition 2 is Applied Display condition 2 is satisfied when a part of the strokes forming “person” is not within the region R occupied by the strokes forming “large”. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6C, the display position of the "person" in the writing direction is determined so that a part of the strokes forming the "person" is adjacent to the "large" region R. It

(4) When the setting condition 4 is adopted As shown in FIG. 7A, for the "large" which is the n-1th character, the setting condition 4 determines the region R occupied by the stroke. .

(4-1) When Display Condition 1 is Applied Display condition 1 is satisfied because the starting points P1 and P2 of each stroke forming the "person" which is the nth character are
This is a case where it is not within the region R occupied by the strokes that make up “large”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the start point P2 of the "person" is adjacent to the "large" region R,
The display position of the "person" in the writing direction is determined.

Further, in the case of "large" and "ground," FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, for the “large” region R, the starting points P1 of the strokes forming the “ground” that is the nth character are
Even if the display position in the writing direction of "ground" is determined such that P2, P3, ... Are adjacent to each other, "large" and "ground" do not overlap. (4-2) When Display Condition 2 is Applied Display condition 2 is satisfied when a part of the strokes forming "person" is not within the region R occupied by the strokes forming "large". . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7C, the display position of the “person” in the writing direction is determined so that a part of the strokes forming the “person” is adjacent to the “large” region R. It

As described above, the second embodiment has the following operations. (1) In the character display position adjusting device, the display position of the character in the writing direction is adjusted by using each of the setting conditions 1 to 4 and each of the display conditions 1 and 2 described above.

Therefore, the following effects can be obtained. (1) According to the second embodiment, each handwritten character pitch can be set to the minimum value in a legible range.
Therefore, the number of characters that can be written on the tablet that constitutes the input device 1 can be increased. In addition, the number of characters that can be displayed on the display that constitutes the display device 4 can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the input device 1 and the display device 4.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the handwritten character data processing device of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
Is the same as that of the embodiment. In this embodiment,
The difference from the second embodiment is that the character display position adjusting device 3
It is only the adjustment processing of the display position of the writing direction of the character in.

The process of adjusting the display position in the writing direction in the character display position adjusting device 3 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, step S
11, the setting condition 1 in the second embodiment
(The minimum rectangular area that surrounds the strokes that make up a character is
The area R occupied by the stroke is used to measure the size T in the X direction of the area R occupied by the stroke forming the (n-1) th character (hereinafter referred to as the character width).

Next, in step S12, the optimum value M of the character spacing corresponding to the character width T measured in step S11 is calculated. That is, the standard value t of the standard character width
In this case, the optimum value m of the standard inter-character spacing is calculated in advance. When the character width T measured in step S11 is k times the standard value t of the standard character width, k times the optimum value m of the standard inter-character space is set as the optimum value M of the inter-character space.

For example, when the standard value t of the standard character width is 10 millimeters, the optimum value m of the standard inter-character space is 3 millimeters. In this case, when the character width T measured in step S11 is 20 (= t × 2 = 10 × 2) millimeters, the optimum value M of the character spacing is 6 (= m × 2 = 3 ×).
2) Use millimeters.

Then, the process proceeds to step S13, where n-1
It is determined whether the inter-character space L between the first character and the nth character is equal to the optimum value M. Step S1
In step 3, when the n-1th character and the nth character interval L are equal to the optimum value M, the adjustment processing of the display position of the character in the writing direction is ended, and when they are not equal, step S
Move to 14.

In step S14, the inter-character space L between the (n-1) th character and the nth character is the optimum value M.
Determine the intercharacter spacing to be equal to. And
Characters are displayed on the display device 4 at the determined display position.

Next, the process of adjusting the display position of the character in the writing direction in the character display position adjusting device 3 will be specifically described using an actual character example. As shown in FIG. 9A, the inter-character spacing L between the n−1th character “large” and the nth character “person” may be wider than the optimum value M. . In this case, as shown in FIG.
By moving the “person” in the “large” direction, the inter-character space L is made equal to the optimum value M.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the inter-character spacing L between the n-1th character "Large" and the nth character "Person" is narrower than the optimum value M. There are cases. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10B, by moving the “person” in the direction opposite to the “large” direction, the inter-character space L
Equal to the optimum value M.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained. (1) In the character display position adjustment device 3, the inter-character space L between the (n-1) th character and the nth character is adjusted to the optimum value M corresponding to the width T of the (n-1) th character. To do.

(2) From the above (1), by adjusting the character spacing in the character display position adjusting device 3, it becomes possible to balance the entire character string and obtain clean and easy-to-read handwriting. You can

That is, when the character width T is large, the intercharacter spacing L can be increased to prevent the intercharacter spacing L from becoming too large and difficult to read. Also,
When the character width T is small, it is possible to prevent the intercharacter spacing L from becoming too wide and difficult to read by reducing the intercharacter spacing.

(3) From the above (1) and (2), it is possible to optimize the interval between the characters input by handwriting. (4) When the nth character is a consonant, the character spacing L
When is set to the optimum value M, the inter-character spacing between the (n-1) th character and the nth character may become too wide. However, it does not cause any particular problem because the entire character string contains only a few consonants.

(5) The size of each character input by handwriting varies greatly depending on the individual, but is almost constant for a specific individual. Therefore, if the user of the handwritten character data processing device is specified and the optimum value m of the character spacing when the width of the character is the reference value t is determined in advance for the specific user, the use thereof will be described. It is possible to optimize the inter-character spacing according to the handwriting input habits of the person.

The above embodiments may be modified as follows, and in that case, the same operation and effect can be obtained. (A) In the second embodiment, arbitrary setting conditions among the setting conditions 1 to 4 are appropriately combined and implemented. For example,
The setting conditions 1 and 2 are combined, or all the setting conditions 1 to 4 are combined.

(B) In the third embodiment, the optimum value M of the inter-character spacing is set in consideration of not only the width T of the (n-1) th character but also the width of the nth character. (C) It is applied to not only horizontal handwriting input but also vertical handwriting input. Applies to vertical character array output as well as horizontal character array output.

(D) Apply to other languages as well as Japanese. By the way, the program is initially recorded in a recording medium composed of a CD-ROM, but any medium capable of recording computer software may be used as the medium for recording such a program. In particular,
It includes a semiconductor memory, a floppy disk (FD), a hard disk (HD), an optical disk (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MO, MD), a phase change disk (PD), a magnetic tape and the like.

[0194]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the arrangement of handwritten characters and the like in the arrangement direction so that the characters look neat and easy to read. An input data processing device can be provided.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the character input data capable of adjusting the arrangement of the characters of handwriting input by handwriting in the arrangement direction so that they look neat and easy to read. A processing method can be provided.

[0196]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of second and third embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a problem.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Input device as input means, 2 ... Character cutting device as character cutting means, 3 ... Character display position adjusting device as character output position adjusting means, 4 ... Display device as output means, R ·· An example of the area occupied by strokes, P1, P2, P3 · · The start point of each stroke, L · · Character spacing, M · · Optimal value of character spacing.

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-10-31476 (JP, A) JP-A-7-96594 (JP, A) JP-A-7-195652 (JP, A) JP-A-3-244542 (JP , A) JP-A-6-4206 (JP, A) JP-A-4-128967 (JP, A) Toshiyuki Iwaoka, -FI Kerning- Automatic character spacing adjustment mechanism Fuzzy technology to support DTP, OMRON TECHNICS, Japan , OMRON Corporation, September 25, 1995, VOL. 35, NO. 3,210-214 (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G09G 5/00-5/42 G06F 3/09-3/12 G06F 3/14-3/153 G06F 17/21- 17/26 B41B 27/00 CSDB

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A character arranging means (2) for slicing a character string input by handwriting for each character, and strokes constituting arbitrary characters cut out by the character slicing means (2) are arranged in a character array. A character output position adjusting means that adjusts the output position of the character so as not to fall within the area (R) occupied by the strokes that form the character positioned in front of the character in the direction ( 3) and output means (4) for outputting the cut-out character at the output position determined by the character output position adjusting means (3), and the region (R) occupied by the stroke constitutes a character. A character data processing device, which is a minimum rectangular area obtained from the density of a set of strokes. 2. A character arranging means (2) for slicing out a character string input by handwriting for each character, and strokes constituting arbitrary characters cut out by the character slicing means (2) are arranged in a character array. A character output position adjusting means that adjusts the output position of the character so as not to fall within the area (R) occupied by the strokes that form the character positioned in front of the character in the direction ( 3) and output means (4) for outputting the cut-out character at the output position determined by the character output position adjusting means (3), and the character output position adjusting means (3) The start point (P1, P2, P
3) determines the character output position so that the character output position does not fall within the area (R) occupied by the stroke that constitutes the character positioned before the character in the character arrangement direction. Is a minimum rectangular area obtained by the density of a set of strokes forming a character. 3. A character cutout process (2) for cutting out a character string input by handwriting for each character, and each stroke forming an arbitrary character cut out by the character cutout process (2) is a character array. A character output position adjustment process that adjusts the character output position and determines the output position of this character so that the character output position does not fall within the region (R) occupied by the stroke that constitutes the character positioned before the character in the direction. 3) and an output process (4) for outputting the cut-out character at the output position determined by the character output position adjustment process (3), and the region (R) occupied by the stroke constitutes a character. A character data processing method, which is a minimum rectangular area obtained by a density of a set of strokes. 4. A character arrangement process (2) for extracting a character string input by handwriting for each character, and each stroke forming an arbitrary character cut out by the character extraction process (2) is a character array. A character output position adjustment process that adjusts the character output position and determines the output position of this character so that the character output position does not fall within the region (R) occupied by the stroke that constitutes the character positioned before the character in the direction. 3) and an output process (4) for outputting the cut-out character to the output position determined by the character output position adjustment process (3), the character output position adjustment process (3) The start point (P1, P2, P
3) determines the character output position so that the character output position does not fall within the area (R) occupied by the stroke that constitutes the character positioned before the character in the character arrangement direction. Is a minimum rectangular area obtained by the density of a set of strokes forming a character.