JP6507482B2 - Character input device, character input method, and character input program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a character input device for inputting characters according to an input mode indicating a character type, a character input method, and a character input program.

  In recent years, printing New Year's cards, summer greeting cards, and the like has been widely performed at home, and printers connected to personal computers or dedicated printers for postcard printing are used. In addition, an application operating on a personal computer or a function provided in a dedicated printer enables easy entry of address (name and address of destination), sender's name, sender's address, etc. to be printed on a postcard.

  For example, a list of prefectures, cities, towns, towns, etc. is displayed sequentially, a function to enter an address by selecting in stages, a zip code dictionary search is executed by entering a zip code, and a postal code is specified by There is a function to automatically input up to the The user can add the letters of the missing address after the partially entered address.

  There are also devices that allow handwriting input for users who are not used to operating a keyboard. In this type of device, when the user writes with a pen on the touch panel, characters handwritten by handwriting recognition can be recognized and input. For example, a device capable of converting to address data and displaying the address data simply by inputting the address in an actual pen sense on a real size postcard type handwriting board displayed on a display screen is considered (for example, Patent Document 1) ).

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 8-137865

  In character input using conventional handwriting recognition, an input mode corresponding to the text to be input is set, and an object character type to be preferentially recognized according to this input mode (for example, "Kanji" "Hiragana" "Katakana" " The alphabet "number" "symbol" is changed. For example, when handwriting input is performed in the “Hiragana” input mode, the characters of “Hiragana” and “Kanji” can be easily input because the target character types “Hiragana” and “Kanji” are preferentially recognized. Generally, for text that inputs addresses such as addresses, by setting it to "Hiragana" input mode, "Kanji" and "Hiragana", which are often used for address notation, are prioritized and recognized, and characters are efficiently used. I have made it possible to input.

  When inputting the address by handwriting recognition, it is possible to input characters such as prefectures and cities, towns and villages efficiently by recognizing "Kanji" and "Hiragana" with priority, but using zip code dictionary search If you enter the address halfway, then you should enter "Kanji" and "Hiragana" in spite of the need to enter numbers and symbols such as "Address", "No. Building" and "Room No." continuously. Because it remains in the mode, incorrect character recognition is likely to be made. For this reason, the efficiency of the address input by handwriting recognition will fall.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and in the case of inputting an address using recognition processing, a character input device that can be efficiently input by performing correct recognition. , A character input method, and a character input program.

In order to achieve the above object, in the character input method of the present invention, a first input step of preferentially recognizing and inputting a character of a character type indicated by an input mode changed according to an input item;
An address input step of inputting an address corresponding to the input zip code in an address input item;
Used to write numbers, symbols, or addresses regardless of the input mode according to the address input item, when the address input process inputs characters subsequent to the address input into the address input item. is the change the character of the particular character type in preference to recognize address limiting character priority conversion mode, comprising a second input step of inputting the specified character type character preferentially recognize and.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when inputting the character showing an address using recognition process, it becomes possible to input efficiently by correct-recognition.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a character input device in the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of address input of the character input device in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of an input screen for address input in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a handwritten character input screen in the present embodiment. The figure which shows the state as which the character "east" by which handwriting recognition was carried out was input into the input character frame in this embodiment. The figure which shows the state as which the character by which several handwritten input in this embodiment was displayed on the input character frame. The figure for demonstrating the input to the address input item using the postal code dictionary search in this embodiment. The figure which shows the state input into the address input item to the middle of the address by the postcode dictionary search in this embodiment. The figure which shows the state by which the character was handwritten input into the character input frame in this embodiment. The figure which shows the state to which the character "3" by which handwriting recognition was carried out was input to the input character frame in this embodiment. The figure which shows the state as which the character by which several handwritten input in this embodiment was displayed on the input character frame. FIG. 6 is a view showing buttons provided on an input screen for address input in the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the character input device in the present embodiment. The character input device in this embodiment is configured as an electronic device having a function of inputting characters such as an address (name and address of destination) to be printed on a paper medium such as a postcard, a sender name, a sender address, and the like.

  The character input device in the present embodiment includes a control device 10, a display device 11, a handwriting input device 13, a keyboard input device 14, a postal code dictionary storage device 15, and a character candidate storage device 16.

  The control device 10 controls the entire character input device, and includes a processor, a memory, and the like. The control device 10 controls each part by executing various programs, inputs characters from the handwriting input device 13 or the keyboard input device 14, and executes printing of the input characters and the like. For example, the control device 10 controls a function for inputting the characters of the address (name, address) in accordance with the user operation based on the character input program. The control device 10 has a function of determining whether a character is to be input by handwriting recognition through the handwriting input device 13. Whether the input item targeted for character input on the input screen displayed on the display device 11 is an input item for address input A function to judge and a function to input the address by the zip code dictionary search using the dictionary data stored in the zip code dictionary storage device 15 (corresponding to the character string indicating the address corresponding to the zip code and the input zip code) Function to input in the input item of address (address)), function to judge whether it is continued input of address input by zip code dictionary search, when inputting zip code without searching zip code dictionary, The handwriting recognition of the character of the character type indicated by the input mode corresponding to the input item of the address is preferentially performed on the handwritten character data input from the handwriting input device 13 When a character subsequent to an address entered by a zip code dictionary search is inputted, a specific character determined in advance is preferentially recognized regardless of the input mode corresponding to the address input item. It has a function of changing to the address limited character priority conversion mode and preferentially performing handwriting recognition of characters of a specific character type with respect to handwritten character data input from the handwriting input device 13 and inputting characters.

  The display device 11 displays various input screens for receiving a user operation, characters input from the handwriting input device 13 or the keyboard input device 14 by the user operation, and the like under the control of the control device 10.

  The handwriting input device 13 inputs data (handwritten character data) of characters handwritten using a pen or the like by user operation. The handwriting input device 13 includes, for example, a touch panel for detecting a touch position by a pen or the like, and handwriting a data string indicating a time-sequential touch position (coordinate value) input by moving the pen on the detection surface Enter as character data. The touch panel is integrated with, for example, the display surface of the display device 11. Therefore, the handwriting input device 13 can input data indicating the touch position (coordinate value) touched in accordance with the input screen displayed by the display device 11.

  The keyboard input device 14 inputs character data in accordance with a user operation on the keyboard.

  The postcode dictionary storage device 15 stores postcode dictionary data in which a postcode (a seven-digit number) and an address (character string) corresponding to the postcode are associated. The zip code dictionary data is searched using the zip code input by the user as a key when execution of the zip code dictionary search is instructed by the user operation.

  The character candidate storage device 16 stores a plurality of input character candidates obtained by handwriting recognition on handwritten character data input from the handwriting input device 13. In handwriting recognition processing, the order of input character candidates is determined so that the character type (or character) indicated by the input mode is prioritized, and the first input character candidate character is output as a result of handwriting recognition.

  Next, the address input operation of the character input device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when execution of address input (registration) processing is instructed by the user, the control device 10 causes the display device 11 to display an input screen for address input (step A1).

  FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of an input screen for address input in the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the input items for "last name," "first name," "yomi," and "title name," the zip code entry item 20 for entering an address, address entry item 30, and telephone number entry item Is provided. Also, from a zip code conversion button 21 for instructing execution of a zip code dictionary, an address button 22, a line feed button 23, a "chome" button 24, a "address" button 25, a "No." button 26, a handwriting input device 13 A handwriting input button 32 is provided for instructing to input characters by handwriting recognition. The address button 22, the line feed button 23, the "chome" button 24, the "address" button 25, and the "number" button 26 will be described later (FIG. 12).

  Here, when the cursor is moved to any input item, the input item becomes an input target. Here, it is determined whether to perform input by handwriting recognition (step A3). That is, when there is an operation on the keyboard input device 14 (step A3, No), the control device 10 inputs characters corresponding to the operation on the keyboard by the user operation (step A10). This character is displayed on the input item to be input (step A11).

  For example, when the address input item 30 is currently targeted for input, the control device 10 causes the address input item 30 to display the character input by the operation of the keyboard input device 14, that is, the character representing the address.

  On the other hand, when the handwriting input button 32 is operated (Yes in step A3), the control device 10 causes the display device 11 to display the handwriting character input screen 40.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the handwritten character input screen 40 in the present embodiment. On the screen 40 for handwriting character input shown in FIG. 4, character input frames 41 and 42 for causing the user to use the pen or the like to handwriting the character, and input characters for displaying the recognition result (character) of the character input by handwriting In order to receive an instruction to start recognition of handwritten characters input to the frame 43, the rewriting button 44 for canceling the characters handwritten in the character input frames 41 and 42 and re-inputting (handwriting), and the character input frames 41 and 42 Recognition button 45 etc. is provided.

  Here, the control device 10 determines whether the current input target item is the address input item 30 (step A4). If the current input target item is the address input item 30 (Yes at step A5), the control device 10 determines whether to continue input of the address after the zip code dictionary search (step A6). That is, it is determined whether or not the address up to the middle of the address corresponding to the zip code retrieved based on the zip code is already input to the address input item 30 using the zip code dictionary search.

  At this time, if it is not the continued input of the address after the zip code dictionary search (step A7, No), the control device 10 inputs characters by handwriting recognition through the handwriting character input screen 40.

  When the recognition button 45 is touched after the characters are handwritten by the user operation on the character input frame 41 of the screen 40 for handwriting character input, the control device 10 writes the characters on the character input frame 41. The recognition processing corresponding to the input mode is executed on the handwritten character data of the character thus processed, and the character to be the recognition result is displayed on the input character frame 43 (step A8). For example, when the address input item 30 is to be input, the control device 10 sets an input mode to preferentially recognize "Kanji" and "Hiragana" and executes the recognition process.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the recognition button 45 is touched after a character is input by handwriting in the character input frame 41, the control device 10 performs the character candidate by the recognition process giving priority to “Kanji” and “Hiragana”. Are stored in the character candidate storage device 16, and the character of the first input character candidate is input to the input character frame 43.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the character “east” recognized by handwriting is input to the input character frame 43. In this screen, a determination button 46 for displaying the character displayed in the input character frame 43 in the input item to be currently input is provided.

  Similarly, characters are sequentially handwritten and recognized in the character input frames 41 and 42, whereby characters input by handwriting recognition are sequentially displayed in the input character frame 43. FIG. 6 shows a state in which a plurality of handwritten input characters are displayed in the input character frame 43.

  Thus, after a character is input to the input character frame 43 by handwriting recognition, when the determination button displayed on the handwriting character input screen 40 is touched, the control device 10 closes the handwriting character input screen 40, The characters (characters input by handwriting) displayed in the input character frame 43 are displayed in the input item to be currently input (step A11). For example, when the address input item 30 is currently to be input, the control device 10 causes the address input item 30 to display the handwritten input character (character string representing the address).

  Here, the input to the address input item 30 using the zip code dictionary search will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, after a 7-digit number indicating a postal code is input to the postal code input item 20 using the handwriting input device 13 or the keyboard input device 14, the postal code conversion button 21 is touched. Then, the zip code conversion button 21 searches the zip code dictionary storage device 15 based on the zip code input to the zip code conversion button 21 and obtains an address corresponding to the inputted zip code. The control device 10 inputs and displays the address obtained by the zip code dictionary search in the address input item 30. FIG. 8 shows a state where the address input item 30 has been input halfway through the address by the zip code dictionary search. Thus, by using the zip code dictionary search, since it is not necessary to input the character string of the address for each character, the address can be efficiently input.

  Here, when the handwriting input button 32 is operated (Yes in step A3), the control device 10 causes the display device 11 to display the handwriting character input screen 40 as described above. In this case, it is determined that the input item to be currently input is the address input item 30 (step A5, Yes) and it is in a state to input the continuation of the address after postal code dictionary search (step A7, Yes) .

  In this case, the control device 10 should set an input mode in which the input item to be currently input is the address input item 30, and preferentially recognizes "Kanji" and "Hiragana" regardless of this input mode. A recognition process is executed by setting an input mode in which "numbers" and "symbols" are preferentially recognized.

  That is, when entering a part of the address using a zip code dictionary search, as shown in FIG. 8, the entry is usually completed up to the town area, and the character string to be entered subsequently is “Chome” “address” It is often a number and a symbol that represents "No." Therefore, by setting the input mode to preferentially recognize "numbers" and "symbols" when an address is input following a zip code dictionary search, a number representing "chome", "address", "department", etc. Makes it possible to recognize symbols correctly.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the recognition button 45 is touched after a character is input by handwriting in the character input frame 41, the control device 10 performs a character candidate by a recognition process giving priority to "number" and "symbol". Are stored in the character candidate storage device 16, and the character of the first input character candidate is input to the input character frame 43. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the character “3” handwritten is recognized in the input character frame 43. For example, when recognition is performed in the input mode corresponding to the address input item 30 (“Kanji” and “Hiragana” are prioritized), it is likely to be recognized as “Y” of “Hiragana” but correctly recognized as “3” of the number. Can.

  Similarly, characters are sequentially handwritten and recognized in the character input frames 41 and 42, whereby characters input by handwriting recognition are sequentially displayed in the input character frame 43. FIG. 11 shows a state in which a plurality of handwritten input characters are displayed in the input character frame 43. That is, an example in which "3" "-" "2" "-" "1" is input by handwriting is shown.

  Thus, after a character is input to the input character frame 43 by handwriting recognition, when the determination button displayed on the handwriting character input screen 40 is touched, the control device 10 closes the handwriting character input screen 40, The characters displayed in the input character frame 43 (character strings of numbers and symbols input by handwriting) are displayed following the address input halfway to the address input item 30 (step A11). For example, when the address input item 30 is currently to be input, the control device 10 causes the address input item 30 to display the handwritten input character (character string representing the address). That is, “3-2-1” is displayed following the character string of the address “Tokyo, Hamura-shi, Sakae-cho” input by the zip code dictionary search shown in FIG. An address of -1 is entered.

  Generally, simple characters such as numbers and symbols are easily misrecognized in handwritten character recognition. For example, as a character that is likely to be misrecognized, "ten" (Chinese numerals) → "T" (alphabets), "eight" (Chinese numerals) → "ha" (katakana), "3" (numerics) → "lo" (Hiragana), "1" (numbers) → "I" (alphabetical characters), "2" (numbers) → "乙" (kanji), "7" (numbers) → "te" (hiragana), "0" (0 Numbers) → "O" (letters) etc. However, in the case where characters are continuously input to the address input item 30 after the zip code dictionary search, erroneous recognition is less likely to be made by setting “number” and “symbol” as a priority input mode. Therefore, since it is possible to reduce the opportunity to re-enter characters, efficient address input is possible.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the input mode is to preferentially recognize "numbers" and "symbols" after the zip code dictionary search, but the recognition target is limited to the characters including kanji used in the address and is prioritized The recognition process may be executed by setting an address limited character preferential conversion mode to be recognized.

  For example, the numbers following the zip code dictionary conversion may be written in Chinese numerals, and the types of characters such as "one, two, three to ten, chome, address, number, large letter ..." are limited. By restricting to the characters used in these addresses, it is possible to correctly recognize handwritten characters.

  For example, there are "large letters" (used in address) → "university" (general) as characters that are easy to be misrecognized, but by limiting the letters, it is possible to correctly recognize as the letter "big letters" used in the address .

  In the above description, the handwriting recognition input mode is set according to the input item to be currently input and whether it is the input after the zip code dictionary search, as shown in FIG. By setting the input mode according to the button operation on the address button 22, the "chome" button 24, the "address" button 25 and the "No." button 26 provided on the address entry input screen, correct recognition can be performed. You may

  The address button 22 can display an address list in the order of "prefecture", "city", and "town area", and the user can enter an address in the address input item 30 by selecting it from the list. It is a button to do it. When an address is input up to “town area” using the address button 22, the control device 10 sets “number” and “symbol” in an input mode in which priority is given. Thereby, as described above, when inputting an address or the like by handwriting recognition following "town area", it can be correctly recognized.

  Further, the “chome” button 24 and the “address” button 25 are buttons for inputting the character string of “chome” and “address” to the address input item 30 by being touched respectively. For example, after inputting the number “3”, if the “chome” button 24 is touched, the character “chome” can be input following the number “3”. When the “chome” button 24 is touched, the control device 10 sets a number input mode in which recognition of “number” is prioritized. That is, since a number representing a street address is often entered after the character string “chome” is entered in the address, setting the number entry mode allows the number to be entered correctly even if the letter is entered by handwriting recognition. Can be recognized and input.

  Similarly, when the character string "address" is input using the "address" button 25, the number input mode is set to prioritize recognition of "number".

  Furthermore, the “No.” button 26 is a button for inputting the character of “No.” into the address input item 30 by being touched. Since the apartment name etc. are often input after the character "No." is input at the address, handwriting recognition can be performed by setting an input mode giving priority to "Hiragana" (including Katakana and Kanji). Even if you enter characters, you can correctly recognize and enter hiragana, katakana and kanji.

  In this manner, when inputting characters using the address button 22, the "chome" button 24, the "address" button 25, and the "No." button 26 and subsequently inputting an address, an input mode corresponding to each button By setting to, it is possible to correctly recognize and input characters to be input subsequently.

  Thus, when inputting a character string representing an address into the address input item 30, when inputting characters following the address input halfway through the postal code dictionary search or the address button 22 etc. Correct character recognition can be performed by setting the input mode according to the character to be input subsequently, regardless of the input mode corresponding to the address input item 30. Therefore, since it is possible to omit the work of re-inputting characters, it is possible to input the address efficiently.

  In the above description, although the method by keyboard operation using the keyboard input device 14 and the method by handwriting recognition using the handwriting input device 13 are taken as an example of the method of character input, about the voice inputted from the microphone A voice recognition process may be performed to convert into characters and input. In this case, as in the case of the handwriting recognition described above, a specific character (for example, "number") when inputting a character following an address input by a zip code dictionary search (or a button such as an address button 22) Change to the input mode (address-limited character priority conversion mode) corresponding to "symbol" or the character used for address description so that the character type according to this input mode is preferentially voice-recognized . As a result, voice recognition can be correctly performed in the same manner as handwriting recognition.

  Further, each method described in the embodiment, that is, each method such as processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 may be a program that can be executed by a computer, such as a memory card (ROM card, RAM card, etc.), a magnetic disk (flexible disk, It can be stored and distributed in a recording medium such as a hard disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD or the like), a semiconductor memory or the like. Then, the computer reads the program recorded in the external recording medium, and the operation is controlled by this program, so that the same processing as the function described in the embodiment can be realized.

  Also, program data for realizing each method can be transmitted on a network (Internet) as a form of program code, and the program data can be transmitted from a computer (server apparatus etc.) connected to this network (Internet). It is also possible to implement the same functions as the embodiment described above.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and can be variously modified at the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments include inventions of various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of a plurality of disclosed configuration requirements. For example, even if some of the configuration requirements are removed from all the configuration requirements shown in the embodiment or some configuration requirements are combined, the problems described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, In the case where the effects described in the column of “Effect” can be obtained, a configuration in which this configuration requirement is deleted or combined can be extracted as the invention.

  In the following, the invention described in the original claims of the present application is appended.

[Supplementary Note 1]
A first input step of preferentially recognizing and inputting a character of a character type indicated by an input mode changed according to an input item;
An address input step of inputting an address corresponding to the input zip code in an address input item;
In the case where characters subsequent to the address entered in the address input item are input in the address input step, priority is given to predetermined specific characters regardless of the input mode corresponding to the address input item. A second input step of changing to the address limited character preferential conversion mode to be recognized, and preferentially recognizing and inputting the character of the specific character type;
A character input method characterized in that it comprises.

[Supplementary Note 2]
The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second input steps are character input by handwriting input.

[Supplementary Note 3]
The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second input steps are character input by input speech.

[Supplementary Note 4]
First input means for preferentially recognizing and inputting the character of the character type indicated by the input mode to be changed according to the input item;
An address input means for inputting an address corresponding to the input zip code in an address input item;
When the subsequent characters of the address input in the input item of the address are input by the address input means, a predetermined specific character is prioritized regardless of the input mode corresponding to the input item of the address. Second input means for changing to the address limited character preferential conversion mode to be recognized, and preferentially recognizing and inputting the character of the specific character type;
The character input device characterized by having.

[Supplementary Note 5]
A first input step of preferentially recognizing and inputting a character of a character type indicated by an input mode changed according to an input item;
An address input step of inputting an address corresponding to the input zip code in an address input item;
In the case where characters subsequent to the address entered in the address input item are input in the address input step, priority is given to predetermined specific characters regardless of the input mode corresponding to the address input item. A second input step of changing to the address limited character preferential conversion mode to be recognized, and preferentially recognizing and inputting the character of the specific character type;
A character input program using a recognition process, which causes a computer to execute.

  10: control device, 11: display device, 13: handwriting input device, 14: keyboard input device, 15: postal code dictionary storage device, 16: character candidate storage device.

Claims (5)

A first input step of preferentially recognizing and inputting a character of a character type indicated by an input mode changed according to an input item;
An address input step of inputting an address corresponding to the input zip code in an address input item;
Used to write numbers, symbols, or addresses regardless of the input mode according to the address input item, when the address input process inputs characters subsequent to the address input into the address input item. A second input step of changing to an address limited character preferential conversion mode which preferentially recognizes characters of a specific character type to be selected, and preferentially recognizing and inputting the character of the specific character type ;
A character input method characterized in that it comprises.   The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second input steps are character input by handwriting input.   The character input method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second input steps are character input by input speech. First input means for preferentially recognizing and inputting the character of the character type indicated by the input mode to be changed according to the input item;
An address input means for inputting an address corresponding to the input zip code in an address input item;
Used for describing numbers, symbols, or addresses regardless of the input mode according to the address input item when the address input means inputs the subsequent characters of the address input in the address input item. Second input means for changing to an address limited character preferential conversion mode which preferentially recognizes characters of a specific character type to be selected, and preferentially recognizing and inputting the character of the specific character type ;
The character input device characterized by having. A first input step of preferentially recognizing and inputting a character of a character type indicated by an input mode changed according to an input item;
An address input step of inputting an address corresponding to the input zip code in an address input item;
Used to write numbers, symbols, or addresses regardless of the input mode according to the address input item, when the address input process inputs characters subsequent to the address input into the address input item. A second input step of changing to an address limited character preferential conversion mode which preferentially recognizes characters of a specific character type to be selected, and preferentially recognizing and inputting the character of the specific character type ;
A character input program using a recognition process, which causes a computer to execute.

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