Abstract: An information processing method including memorizing pattern information, memorizing use information of said pattern information memorized, and displaying said pattern information memorized and said use information of said pattern information.

Abstract: A scheme for detecting telop character displaying frames in video image which is capable of suppressing erroneous detection of frames without telop characters due to instability of image features is disclosed. In this scheme, each input frame constituting the video data is entered, and whether each input frame is a telop character displaying frame in which telop characters are displayed or not is judged, according to edge pairs detected from each input frame by detecting each two adjacent edge pixels for which intensity gradient directions are opposite on some scanning line used in judging an intensity gradient direction at each edge pixel and for which an intensity difference between said two adjacent edge pixels is within a prescribed range as one edge pair, edge pixels being pixels at which an intensity value locally changes by at least a prescribed amount with respect to a neighboring pixel among a plurality of pixels constituting each input frame.

Abstract: A method of finding a Chinese character in an electronic dictionary. The method includes sorting the characters in the dictionary into three groups according to stroke type: horizontal, vertical and slant, identifying which group a character belongs to based on the first writing stroke of the character, locating an original root of the Chinese character from the identified group based on a first three writing strokes of the Chinese character and finding the Chinese character in the dictionary based on the first three writing strokes of the Chinese character that immediately follow the strokes of the located original root.

Abstract: A handwriting code processing device mounted on a handwriting input device and including a setting register for holding information about hardware characteristics of a display unit and a handwriting input unit, an input control unit for converting coordinate data into handwriting information independent of hardware according to characteristics information held by the setting register, a processing unit for executing data processing with respect to handwriting information to generate and output handwriting information for display to be displayed on the display unit according to processing results, and a display control unit for generating a display screen from handwriting information for display and causing the display unit to display the screen according to characteristics information held at the setting register.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reordering unconstrained handwriting data using both spatial and temporal interrelationships prior to recognition, and for spatially organizing and formatting machine recognized transcription results. The present invention allows a machine recognizer to generate and present a full and accurate transcription of unconstrained handwriting in its correct spatial context such that the transcription output can appear to “mirror” the corresponding handwriting.

Abstract: A camera pen is made from a pen-like housing contains a camera and has a button for sending a signal to a computer which directs the camera to capture an image. The pen-like housing includes landing gear on one end. The landing gear has an opening which forms a flat surface that is angled such that when a user places the camera pen on a surface, the angle at which the pen rests on the surface is ergonomically comfortable for the user. Furthermore, the camera is oriented toward the opening so that when the user presses the button indicating a desire to capture an image, the camera captures the image in the opening. By combining a camera with a pen-like device, the user can comfortably capture image information from a surface.

Abstract: An electronic signature management system includes a graphic tablet digitizer for signaling position coordinates of a stylus being moved to produce a handwritten signature, a clock circuit of the digitizer defining a fixed interval between successive stylus position measurements, a computer processor electrically interfaced with the tablet and programmed for receiving and storing a multiplicity of the coordinates in sequential order as an electronic signature forming a time history of the stylus movement.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for handling user input. Messages corresponding to the user input are placed in a message queue. An input handler differentiates between messages in the queue, such as handwritten character strokes, which are to be handled in real time, and ordered messages, such as characters, cursor movement and editing commands, which are to be handled in a synchronized order of input. The input handler handles each ordered message only after completion of any previous ordered message, while real time messages are handled regardless of the completion status of the ordered messages. In this manner, handwritten character strokes are immediately written to the display area. Ordered messages, which may correspond to handwritten characters having a recognition delay time associated therewith, are handled in the same order as input by the user regardless of any recognition delay time.

Abstract: When a user points a hot spot 322-i, a selection frame 38 is displayed in correlation to input frames 320-i (hot spot 322-i). The selection frame 38 includes within a same window a list of candidate characters of a handwritten character inputted to the input frame 320-i and a symbol (x,{circumflex over ( )}) indicating editing process such as deletion and insertion with respect to the prime candidate character displayed in the prime candidate frame 34. When the user selects a candidate character within the selection frame 38, the prime candidate character in the prime candidate frame 34 is replaced with a newly selected candidate character. When the user selects a symbol indicating deletion and insertion, etc., an editing process is performed with respect to the character string displayed in the prime candidate frame 34 and the input frame 320-i.

Abstract: In a telephone note-taking device, if a telephone icon 22 is designated on a screen 16 by a handwrite-input pen 21, a main control device 28 makes a party designating area 24 and a note-taking area 26 displayed on the screen 16 and start operating at the same time. If a party is inputted into the party designating area 24, a party designation control device 32 autodials the party.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to draw contour lines according to specified display coordinates and display the lines immediately. In order to achieve this object, a display rectangular coordinate system and an input rectangular coordinate system that correspond to each other are set up for a display face of a liquid crystal display unit and for an input face of a tablet. If an input coordinate is specified on the input face using a predetermined directing device, therefore, a tablet control unit outputs hand-written input coordinate data and corresponding display coordinates are specified. Then, a central control unit creates contour data representing contour lines which enclose the figure composed of the specified coordinate data, on the basis of the data according to control of programs read from a floppy disk and stored in a ROM.

Abstract: A character data input apparatus displaying a plurality of input characters in a plurality of areas of a display portion characterized in that the plurality of areas for displaying characters each have a first area for displaying the input character and a second area for displaying information related to the character displayed in the first area.

Abstract: Every frame represented by a moving picture signal is divided into blocks. Calculation is made as to a number of pixels forming portions of a caption in each of the blocks. The calculated number of pixels is compared with a threshold value. When the calculated number of pixels is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is decided that the related block is a caption-containing block. Detection is made as to a time interval related to the moving picture signal during which every frame represented by the moving picture signal has a caption-containing block. A 1-frame-corresponding segment of the moving picture signal is selected which represents a caption-added frame present in the detected time interval.

Abstract: A method and system for performing instruction of handwriting skills by animated display of the required stroke motions with simultaneous audio verbal description of these same motions, including the means for a student to practice this lesson with use of a pen based input device by which the pen motion is captured, displayed on a computer monitor, and communicated to an evaluation algorithm which rates the quality of the writing. Based on this handwriting evaluation, the system includes means to provide visual and auditory reward, and generate the subsequent instructions and exercise for the student using embedded expert teaching knowledge. In the preferred embodiment, a tablet with a fastening mechanism fixes into position the paper duplicate of the handwriting lesson presented on the computer screen and the pen writing device is a special ballpoint pen capable of leaving a hard copy trace of the student writing.

Abstract: A keyboardless entry computer system includes a transparent input screen that generates positional information when contacted by a stylus, and a display screen mounted physically below the input screen such that a character that is displayed can be seen below the input screen. The system includes a computer that has been programmed to compile the positional information into Strokes, to calculate Stroke characteristics, and then compare the Stroke characteristics with those stored in a database in order to recognize the symbol drawn by the stylus. Key features of the system are: (1) transparent position sensing subsystem; (2) underlying display on which to mimic drawing of sensed positions and to show characters or symbols; (3) means to convert sensed positions first into plotted Points and then into recognized characters or symbols; and (4) means to “learn” to associate sensed input positions with a character or symbol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting misrecognized words appearing in electronic documents that have been generated by scanning an original document in accordance with an optical character recognition (“OCR”) technique. If an incorrect word is found in the electronic document, the present invention generates at least one reference word and selects the reference word that is the most likely correct replacement for the incorrect word. This selection is accomplished by comparing each character member of every reference word to a plurality of confusion sets. On the basis of this comparison, the reference words are reduced to a smaller candidate set of reference words, from which a reference word for replacing the incorrect word is selected on the basis of predetermined criteria.

Abstract: To efficiently recognize characters from several character sets, a palmtop computer system is disclosed wherein more that one character input area is displayed. Each character input area is designed to recognize strokes that represent characters from a different character set. In one embodiment, the palmtop computer system has an alphabetic input area and a numeral input area. In such an embodiment, strokes entered in the alphabetic input area are interpreted as alphabetic characters and strokes entered in the numeral input area are interpreted as numerals.

Abstract: An information processing method and apparatus which uses a memory storing stroke data forming one character together with respective stroke order information to display each stroke data based on the stored stroke order information at an arbitrary speed. In addition, a display speed changing instruction is input into the apparatus and the display speed of the stroke data is changed in response to the display speed changing instruction. In addition, stroke data stored in correspondence to the stroke order information of an input stroke order number is read from the memory and displayed. Further, the stroke data can be displayed under different display conditions such that the stroke order information stored in correspondence to the stroke data can be distinguished from each other.

Abstract: An automatically advancing user interface for entering new data and editing pre-existing data in data entry fields on a display screen. Data is entered and/or edited in a universal handwriting capture widget. A plurality of text entry widgets corresponding to the different data entry fields are displayed on the screen. The user defines a sequentially ordered list of text entry widgets. At any given time only one text entry widget is selected as the current text entry widget based on the sequentially ordered list. The data in the current text entry widget is displayed in the handwriting capture widget. After the data has been entered and/or edited in the handwriting capture widget it is displayed in the current text entry widget. The current text entry widget is then automatically advanced by selecting as the current text entry widget the next text entry widget in the sequentially ordered list of text entry widgets.

Abstract: A method for incremental recognition of ideographic handwriting comprises in order the steps of: (1) entering in a natural stroke order at least one stroke of an ideographic character from a computer entry tablet; (2) providing the at least one stroke to an incremental character recognizer, which produces a hypothesis list of at least one candidate character; (3) displaying a hypothesis list of candidate characters containing the at least one stroke; (4) selecting a correct character from among the candidate characters on the hypothesis list if it a correct character appears thereon; (5) entering in natural stroke order at least one additional stroke of the ideographic character from the computer entry tablet if no candidate character is a correct character; (6) providing the additional stroke(s) to the incremental character recognizer, which produces an updated hypothesis list; (7) displaying the updated hypothesis list of candidate characters containing every stroke; (8) selecting a correct character from a

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for setting a body frame for a pattern and collectively deleting an area located outside the body frame. Consecutive codes can be assigned to scanned patterns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-user pattern data processing system configured for various kinds of patterns, such as characters, to learn efficiently and effectively. The present invention comprises an input arrangement 1 having patterns entered therein from a plurality of users, a dictionary 2 having patterns and attributes of the patterns belonging thereto defined therein, a recognizing arrangement 4 that receives the entered pattern and a group attribute and retrieves from among the patterns entered in the dictionary and having a corresponding group attribute to feed out the category, and a dictionary editing arrangement 5 for extracting a pattern used in common by a group before editing the pattern, such as entering it in the common dictionary, with the group having the user made to belong thereto. The invention allows the dictionary used to the pattern recognition to learn very efficiently and effectively.

Abstract: The object is to improve the accuracy of signature input and signature verification and improve security by causing the handwriting of a signature to disappear by itself. The signature verification system includes a signature input apparatus 1 and a signature verifying apparatus 6. Signature input apparatus 1 has an externally charged type liquid crystal sheet 2 which has an underside being adhesive and is placed on a coordinate input unit 3. When a dedicated pen 5 having the function of applying static charge onto this liquid crystal sheet 2 is used to write a signature, the handwriting of the signature is liquid crystal representation on the display area of liquid crystal sheet 2 and this handwriting of the signature will disappear by itself after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An input device including a display unit for displaying thereon characters entered from a keyboard or by a pen inputting operation, a character selector including a tablet for selecting any character from among the characters displayed on the display unit, and a CPU for receiving the characters selected by the character selector as a new input. When any character is selected from an already input character string displayed on the display unit, the selected character is added as a new character input to the already input characters, and displayed together on the display unit.

Abstract: A method and system for altering an attribute of a graphic object in a computer system is provided. An attribute, such as a line style or fill pattern, has a plurality of formats. The computer system includes a handwriting instrument and an electronic tablet. Each attribute of a graphic object has an associated input area on the electronic tablet. The user draws a gesture with the handwriting instrument over a selected one of the input areas. The gesture drawn is indicative of a desired format selected for the attribute and associated with the selected input area. The system recognizes the gesture drawn over the selected input area and then determines the desired format represented by the gesture drawn. The system then changes the format of the attribute associated with the selected input area to the desired format. If the system is not able to recognize the gesture drawn, the user can define the gesture as a custom attribute which will be recognized by the system the next time the gesture is drawn.

Abstract: Based on handwriting coordinate data input by a pen at an arbitrary position on a screen, a handwriting display portion displays a handwriting at the writing position. A recognition portion recognizes a written character or an editing symbol. A handwriting erase portion erases the handwriting, and returns the screen to a state before writing. A recognition result output portion supplies the recognition result to an application program having a keyboard focus in the same form as that of keyboard input. As a result, a character or the like can be directly written at an arbitrary position on a window displayed by the application program or on the screen, and input or editing can be carried out.

Abstract: A handwritten information input apparatus comprising a pen for inputting character information by handwriting; a tablet traceable by the pen and adapted for detection of the trace information inputted by the pen; a display unit provided under the tablet for displaying an image visibly through the tablet; a first area defined on the tablet for inputting the trace information by the pen; a second area defined on the display unit for displaying characters generated by pattern recognition of the trace information written in the first area; and a controller for displaying a desired character in the first area on the display unit when the pen is dragged on a portion of the tablet corresponding to the desired character displayed in the second area. The apparatus is capable of deleting, inserting and correcting handwritten characters by mutually similar manipulations.

Abstract: A keyboardless entry computer system includes a transparent input screen that generates positional information when contacted by a stylus, and a display screen mounted physically below the input screen such that a character that is displayed can be seen below the input screen. The system includes a computer that has been programmed to compile the positional information into Strokes, to calculate Stroke characteristics, and then compare the Stroke characteristics with those stored in a database in order to recognize the symbol drawn by the stylus. Key features of the system are: (1) transparent position sensing subsystem; (2) underlying display on which to mimic drawing of sensed positions and to show characters or symbols; (3) means to convert sensed positions first into plotted Points and then into recognized characters or symbols; and (4) means to "learn" to associate sensed input positions with a character or symbol.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a coordinate input device for entering coordinate values by superposing on a display device (LCD or CRT). The device is comprised of a coordinate input section wherein a first conductive sheet for x-coordinate detection provided with electrodes on a pair of end edges and a second conductive sheet for y-coordinate detection provided with electrodes on a pair of end edges are superposed through a spacer so that respective electrodes intersect orthogonally. In a low power consumption mode of operation; a predetermined voltage is applied between one of the electrodes of the first conductive sheet and one of electrodes of the second conductive sheet for detecting a variation of the voltage. When the voltage varies the device switches, a predetermined voltage is applied between one electrode x1 of the first conductive sheet and one electrode y2 of the second conductive sheet.

Abstract: A universal command generator that generates commands that are recognizable by multiple contexts, where the universal command libraries are loaded automatically and dynamically as the user switches from context to context. Additionally, a novel gesture recognition method is provided to allow the user to define symbols specific to the users preferences that will work universally. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises novel methods and apparatus that provide this functionality such as: a method for translating signals from an input device into commands operating on a context-sensitive basis, a method for recognizing and translating a command received from an input device into a command recognizable by a second context, and a device for interpreting and translating commands entered into a first device into commands that are understandable by a second device.

Abstract: The hybrid handwriting recognition method includes the steps of (a), in response to a handwriting input from a user, providing dynamic, time ordered stroke information; (b) determining a first list comprised of at least one probable character that the dynamic, time ordered stroke information is intended to represent; (c) converting the dynamic, time ordered stroke information to static stroke information; (d) determining a second list comprised of at least one probable character that the static stroke information represents; and (e) merging the first list and the second list to provide a third, unified list comprised of at least one element representing a most probable character that the dynamic, time ordered stroke information is intended to represent. The step of converting includes the steps of generating a static, bit-mapped representation of the dynamic stroke information, and generating one or more first stroke features based on contour directions of the bit-mapped stroke information.

Abstract: A keyboardless entry computer system includes a transparent input screen that generates positional information when contacted by a stylus, and a display screen mounted physically below the input screen such that a character that is displayed can be seen below the input screen. The system includes a computer that has been programmed to compile the positional information into Strokes, to calculate Stroke characteristics, and then compare the Stroke characteristics with those stored in a database in order to recognize the symbol drawn by the stylus. Key features of the system are: (1) transparent position sensing subsystem; (2) underlying display on which to mimic drawing of sensed positions and to show characters or symbols; (3) means to convert sensed positions first into plotted Points and then into recognized characters or symbols; and (4) means to "learn" to associate sensed input positions with a character or symbol.

Abstract: In a character-figure editing apparatus, a user can correctly select a desired character or figure from a plurality of characters and figures on a display section. The user inputs the character, the figure, and the editing operation by handwriting. A decision section identifies the handwritten information as one of the character, the figure and the editing operation. A memory section stores the character information and the figure information identified by the decision section. A display section displays the input handwriting information, the character and the figure stored in the memory section. The input handwritten information is temporarily stored as a series of coordinates in order. The decision section selects a corresponding character or figure in accordance with the input handwritten information when the handwritten information is identified as the editing operation. Then an editing section edits the character or the figure in accordance with the editing operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a character input apparatus and method which pairs the title of a heading to the region where a character is inputted and determines the character group which can be inputted into the region corresponding to the heading as input candidate characters. When a character is inputted in the region, the heading in that region is discriminated and the characters are recognized referring to the input candidate character group corresponding to the title of the heading.

Abstract: An object displayed in a picture can be designated by the operator, without use of any additional device for inputting data other than position data. Position data of a pointer for designating any desired position in a picture are inputted by a pointer position input section (1). On the basis of the input data, a change of the pointer position relative to a specific region (13) set in relation to an object (12) in the picture is detected by a pointer region pass detecting section (2). On the basis of the output of the pointer region pass detecting section (2), the pointer positions obtained by the pointer position inputting section (1) are accumulated by a pointer position accumulating section (3). Further, the pointer locus data obtained by the pointer position accumulating section (3) are recognized by a gesture recognizing section (4) to detect a significant movement (a specific input operation) of the pointer in a specific region.

Abstract: A method for creating an electronic document using a pen tool and a computer with a pen-sensitive screen is disclosed. The method is capable of generating the electronic document independently on a screen output display and in a persistent graphics memory. The electronic document is not generated simultaneously because transfer of the electronic document to the persistent graphics memory is a process that takes longer than generating the electronic document on the screen display output. However, this delay is not perceived by the operator because the ability for the screen output display to show what is generated by the operator is nearly simultaneous with the act of creation of the electronic document.

Abstract: A method is provided for reconstructing data generated on a digitizer tablet based on the dynamics of the data generation. The digitizer tablet samples the position of the writing pen, continuously transmitting data to a computer in the form of x and y coordinates plus an indicator of whether or not the pen is touching the surface of the tablet. After preprocessing, the data is reconstructed based on the dynamics of the data's creation. The values of the dynamic reconstruction are created by accumulating increments that are some function of the original data. To enhance the dynamics a nonlinear function is required.

Abstract: A keyboardless entry computer system includes a transparent input screen that generates positional information when contacted by a stylus, and a display screen mounted physically below the input screen such that a character that is displayed can be seen below the input screen. The system includes a computer that has been programmed to compile the positional information into Strokes, to calculate Stroke characteristics, and then compare the Stroke characteristics with those stored in a database in order to recognize the symbol drawn by the stylus. Key features of the system are: (1) transparent position sensing subsystem; (2) underlying display on which to mimic drawing of sensed positions and to show characters or symbols; (3) means to convert sensed positions first into plotted Points and then into recognized characters or symbols; and (4) means to "learn" to associate sensed input positions with a character or symbol.

Abstract: A method for incremental recognition of ideographic handwriting comprises in order the steps of: (1) entering in a natural stroke order at least one stroke of an ideographic character from a coordinate entry tablet; (2) providing the at least one stroke to an incremental character recognizer, which produces a hypothesis list of at least one candidate character; (3) displaying a hypothesis list of candidate characters containing the at least one stroke; (4) selecting a correct character from among the candidate characters on the hypothesis list if it a correct character appears thereon; (5) entering in natural stroke order at least one additional stroke of the ideographic character from the coordinate entry tablet if no candidate character is a correct character; (6) providing the additional stroke(s) to the incremental character recognizer, which produces an updated hypothesis list; (7) displaying the updated hypothesis list of candidate characters containing every stroke; (8) selecting a correct character fr

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing a segment of one or more strokes which are to constitute any of characters and signs by recognizing a relationship in the position between the frame encompassing the strokes previously hand-written and a stroke newly hand-written; judging whether there is any requirement for changing the segment by referring the above recognized relationship in the position to predetermined relationships; recognizing, if there is no requirement, the above newly hand-written stroke as a stroke which constitutes, alone or in combination with strokes to be hand written later, a character other than the character encompassed by the frame; ascertaining, if there is a requirement, the above newly hand-written stroke as any of one or more changing-instruction strokes which identify predetermined types of strokes for changing the segment; and changing the above segment according to the changing-instruction stroke.

Abstract: An adaptive weighting handwriting recognition device and method compares information representing handwritten input with stored recognition data at least some of which has a weighting value associated therewith. The weighting values remains fixed during comparison of the handwritten input and stored recognition data and provide candidate recognition information, which can be further processed with user editing instructions to modify and correct the candidate recognition information. During user editing, the weighting values of the stored recognition data associated with the corrected candidate recognition information modified are varied to enhance the likelihood of correct future handwriting recognition.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus having a handwriting input unit made of an integral structure of a handwriting coordinate input device and a plane display, the screen of the handwriting input unit is constituted by one or more areas, and there are provided a form defining unit for defining in advance a process operation for each area and a stroke interpretation executing unit for executing the process operation defined by the form defining unit when a handwritten stroke is inputted to the area. It becomes therefore possible to input data with a realistic sense of writing data on a paper with a pen without intercepting human thinking processes, while considerably improving man-machine interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a user with the option of editing handwritten input such that the user may elect to join or combine one or more discrete continuous segments, or blocks of ink, to form a single discrete continuous segment. The joined segments are then presented as a single discrete segment and analyzed as a single discrete segment by the method of machine recognition of handwritten input being employed by a device that functions to receive handwritten input.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the editing of electronic documents wherein the hardcopy of an original document is scanned into digital form to provide an electronic version of the document. The original document is then placed on an x-y digitizer with the position of the original document being correlated with the electronic version of the document in order to provide corresponding scaling, rotation and offset of the documents. The original document is then edited with a digitizer pen that marks the original document while at the same time converting the handwritten edit into digital form. The digitized edit is then combined with the electronic version of the document to produce an edited electronic document that can be displayed on a local and/or remote computer screen or the like. The system is useful in such applications as teleconferencing, where it is desired to edit the electronic version of a document that is displayed at multiple locations.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a display area of comparatively small surface area and is provided with a function selecting key unit for instructing execution of a plural number of data file preparing functions available on the electronic apparatus. A tablet is disposed on the display panel and the preset areas for display panel and tablet are provided as the display area. The tablet is provided with an input surface on which orthogonal coordinates are set in advance and outputs signals indicating the coordinate position instructed by a preset input pen. Image data including a group of coordinate points set on the input surface is prepared. When the input pen indicates pasting instruction, the data file specified by the pasting instruction is read out and displayed.

Abstract: A system and method including a computer shape definition language are disclosed for defining shapes and mining time sequences that resemble the shapes. The system and method include provisions for establishing a user-defined alphabet that in turn establishes a set of elemental shapes. The system also includes simple yet powerful operators for combining the elemental shapes to define a desired time sequence shape. Moreover, intervals of actual time sequences are mapped into corresponding transition sequences using the alphabet, and the transition sequences are stored in a hierarchical index structure for easily accessing the transition sequences. The index structure is entered with the desired time sequence shape, and the index structure is traversed to identify maximal actual transition sequences which conform to the desired time sequence shape, within user-definable blurry criteria.

Abstract: A system and method including a computer shape definition language are disclosed for defining shapes and mining time sequences that resemble the shapes. The system and method include provisions for establishing a user-defined alphabet that in turn establishes a set of elemental shapes. The system also includes simple yet powerful operators for combining the elemental shapes to define a desired time sequence shape. Moreover, intervals of actual time sequences are mapped into corresponding transition sequences using the alphabet, and the transition sequences are stored in a hierarchical index structure for easily accessing the transition sequences. The index structure is entered with the desired time sequence shape, and the index structure is traversed to identify maximal actual transition sequences which conform to the desired time sequence shape, within user-definable blurry criteria.

Abstract: An inscribed character is recognized with a device including a memory for storing signals representing the shapes of plural inscribed characters, a sensor for the shapes of inscribed characters, a comparator for the stored signals and signals from the sensor, and a display. The comparator compares a signal representing the sensed shape of the inscribed character and the stored signals representing the shapes of plural characters likely to be inscribed to derive signals representing plural selected candidate characters similar in shape to the inscribed character. In response to the signals representing plural selected candidate characters similar in shape to the inscribed character the plural candidate characters are displayed on a first region of the display abutting a second region where there is a representation of the inscribed character.

Abstract: A character input frame is displayed in a popping-up manner and erased automatically in a position in which an operator desires to effect a handwriting input. A character input frame information generating section generates character input frame information based on coordinate input position information from a coordinate input section, and stores the information in a first storage section. A character recognizing section recognizes a character extracted by a character extracting section, and stores character code data of the result of recognition into a second storage section. A display control section displays in a popping-up manner the character input frame from an initial input position on a display panel based on the character input frame information from the first storage section. The character input frame information generating section erases storage contents of the first storage section based on recognition completion information from the character recognizing section.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to present an input and display apparatus for handwritten characters capable of freely editing input handwritten characters. A handwritten character entered on a touch panel by using a pen is registered as one stroke data. The registered one stroke data is divided in two stroke data by using the pen, or two stroke data are combined into one stroke data. By combination of stroke data division and combination, partial deletion in stroke data, blank insertion in stroke data, and insertion of other stroke data into stroke data are realized.