BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to a drawing apparatus, and more particularly to a drawing
apparatus which is capable of drawing characters like those written by a person with
a writing implement.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] A conventional drawing apparatus is known which is capable of writing characters
like those that a person has actually addressed, for example a postcard, with a writing
implement.
[0003] For instance, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7(1995)-68993 discloses
a calligraphic style generation system, which reads out a stored document and controls
drive of a writing brush, based on the calligraphic style information (such as the
order of making strokes in a Japanese character, brush pressure, the development of
a writing brush and the like) and layout information of each character in the document.
[0004] However, the system disclosed in the above-mentioned publication has the disadvantage
that it cannot easily perform an operation of adopting or rejecting data from a document
database and rearranging data, because the system requires an operation of selecting
a desired document from a plurality of documents by a personal computer (PC) or a
word processor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of the aforementioned disadvantage, an object of the present invention is
to provide a drawing apparatus which is capable of drawing characters like those written
by a person with a writing implement and easily performing an operation, such as rearrangement,
insertion, sampling and the like, when a database is repeatedly used. Another object
of the invention is to provide a drawing-data output apparatus that makes the drawing
apparatus possible. To achieve the aforementioned objects and in accordance with one
aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drawing apparatus comprising
writing-implement holding means which holds a writing implement whose drawing density
or drawing size varies according to brush pressure and/or drawing speed,
paper holding means which holds a sheet of paper,
drawing drive means which moves in at least three directions to perform drawing by
varying a relative positional relationship between the writing implement held by the
writing-implement hold means and the paper held by the paper hold means,
drawing control means which controls drive of the drawing drive means, and
drawing-data generation means which generates drawing data, which is supplied to the
drawing control means.
[0006] Here, the "drawing data" means the position information and brush-pressure or drawing
pressure information on a sheet, the moving-speed information and angle information
of a writing implement, and the like. The "perform drawing" means to move a brush,
pen or the like in at least three directions, X-axis direction, Y-axis direction,
and Z-axis direction.
[0007] According to this construction, a data sheet can be used as a database for moving
a writing implement (a brush pen, a signature pen or the like whose drawing density
or drawing size varies according to drawing pressure and/or drawing speed) in at least
three directions, X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction.
[0008] The drawing-data generation means comprises
image reading means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
character recognition means which performs character recognition on the image data
obtained by the image reading means,
a character database which stores a plurality of character data constituting the drawing
data,
layout information generation means which generates layout information from at least
the result of character recognition, and
data synthesis means which generates corresponding character data from the character
database, based on the result of character recognition obtained by the character recognition
means and also synthesizes drawing data, based on the layout information.
[0009] According to this construction, character recognition is first performed on the drawing
data and then characters to be drawn are discriminated. Based on the result of discrimination,
character data is extracted from the character database. The extracted character data
is arranged according to layout information, whereby drawing data is synthesized.
Therefore, for handwriting, if information of a user is registered in the character
database, the user's own handwriting can be reproduced. Also, if information of a
certain person with good handwriting is registered, that person's handwriting can
be reproduced. For layout, if both drawing-position information and drawing-size information
of an image read out from a sheet are used, the user's own layout can be reproduced.
Note that automatic layout may be performed by storing layout information.
[0010] The drawing-data generation means may comprise
image read means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
stroke analysis means which generates stroke information from the image data obtained
by the image read means,
drawing-pressure extraction means which extracts drawing-pressure information from
at least either drawing information or drawing size of the image data and from the
stroke information obtained by the stroke analysis means, and
data synthesis means which synthesizes drawing data from the stroke information and
the drawing-pressure information.
[0011] In addition, the drawing-data generation means may comprise
image read means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
stroke analysis means which generates stroke information from the image data obtained
by the image read means,
reference-stroke storage means in which a plurality of reference strokes are stored,
stroke matching means which matches the stroke information obtained by the stroke
analysis means with the reference stroke information stored in the reference-stroke
storage means,
drawing-pressure information storage means in which a plurality of items of drawing-pressure
information are stored in accordance with the plurality of reference strokes, and
data synthesis means which reads out the drawing-pressure information corresponding
to the reference stroke, obtained by the matching performed by the stroke matching
means, from the drawing-pressure information storage means and combines the drawing-pressure
information and each stroke information, thereby synthesizing drawing data.
[0012] According to these constructions, stroke analysis is first performed and then the
stroke information (relative position information with respect to a sheet) of an image
drawn on the sheet is extracted. The drawing pressure, used in drawing the image on
the sheet, is estimated from at least either drawing-density information or drawing-size
information, or is replaced with reference stroke information. Therefore, a user's
own layout can be reproduced and handwriting that is nearly the same as the user's
own handwriting can be reproduced.
[0013] The drawing-data output apparatus of the present invention may further comprise second
drawing-data storage means which stores drawing data. In this case, it is preferable
that the second drawing-data storage means be writable after being partially erased,
when drawing data obtained from a newly read sheet is written.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drawing-data
output apparatus for outputting drawing data which is supplied to drawing control
means which controls drive of drawing drive means which moves in at least three directions
to perform drawing by varying a relative positional relationship between a writing
implement whose printing density or printing size varies according to drawing pressure
and/or drawing speed, held by writing-implement hold means, and paper held by paper
hold means, the drawing-data output apparatus comprising
drawing-data generation means which generates the drawing data,
coding means which codes the drawing data generated by the drawing-data generation
means, and
code output means which outputs the code obtained by the coding means.
[0015] The drawing-data generation means in the drawing-data output apparatus may comprise
image read means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
character recognition means which performs character recognition on the image data
obtained by the image read means,
a character database which stores a plurality of character data constituting the drawing
data,
layout information generation means which generates layout information from at least
the result of character recognition, and
data synthesis means which generates corresponding character data from the character
database, based on the result of character recognition obtained by the character recognition
means and also synthesizes drawing data, based on the layout information.
[0016] Also, the drawing-data generation means in the drawing-data output apparatus may
comprise
image read means which reads an image drawn to a sheet,
stroke analysis means which generates stroke information from the image data obtained
by the image read means,
drawing-pressure extraction means which extracts drawing-pressure information from
at least either drawing information or drawing size of the image data and from the
stroke information obtained by the stroke analysis means, and
data synthesis means which synthesizes drawing data from the stroke information and
the drawing-pressure information.
[0017] In addition, the drawing-data generation means in the drawing-data output apparatus
may comprise
image read means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
stroke analysis means which generates stroke information from the image data obtained
by the image read means,
reference-stroke storage means in which a plurality of reference strokes are stored,
stroke matching means which matches the stroke information obtained by the stroke
analysis means with the reference stroke information stored in the reference-stroke
storage means,
drawing-pressure information storage means in which a plurality of items of drawing-pressure
information are stored in accordance with the plurality of reference strokes, and
data synthesis means which reads the drawing-pressure information corresponding to
the reference stroke, obtained by the matching performed by the stroke matching means,
from the drawing-pressure information storage means and combines the drawing-pressure
information and each stroke information, thereby synthesizing drawing data.
[0018] Moreover, the drawing-data generation means in the drawing-data output apparatus
may be a multidimensional digitizer which inputs data equivalent to drawing data.
[0019] According to this construction, both a user's own layout and the user's own handwriting
can be reproduced.
[0020] Furthermore, the drawing-data generation means in the drawing-data output apparatus
may comprise
character recognition means which performs character recognition, based on the data
input by the multidimensional digitizer,
a character database which stores a plurality of character data constituting the drawing
data,
layout information generation means which generates layout information from at least
the result of character recognition, and
data synthesis means which generates corresponding character data from the character
database, based on the result of character recognition obtained by the character recognition
means and also synthesizes drawing data, based on the layout information.
[0021] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a drawing apparatus comprising
writing-implement hold means which holds a writing implement whose drawing density
or drawing size varies according to drawing pressure and/or drawing speed,
paper hold means which holds a sheet of paper,
drawing drive means which moves in at least three directions to perform drawing by
varying a relative positional relationship between the writing implement held by the
writing-implement hold means and the paper held by the paper hold means,
code read means which reads a code from a sheet in which drawing data to be supplied
to the drawing control means along with image or character information recognizable
by a person is pervasively coded and stored,
decoding means which decodes the read code, and
drawing-data storage means which stores the drawing data obtained by the decoding
means.
[0022] According to this construction, it becomes possible to use the data sheet as a database
for moving a writing implement (a brush pen, a signature pen or the like whose drawing
density or drawing size varies according to drawing pressure and/or drawing speed)
in at least three directions, X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction.
[0023] It is preferable that the drawing-data storage means be writable after being partially
erased, when drawing data obtained from a newly read sheet is written.
[0024] According to the present invention, a user's own handwriting and layout can be reproduced.
[0025] In addition, according to the present invention, the process from generation of drawing
data to drawing is divided into the process of generating drawing data and coding
and outputting the drawing data, and the process of performing drawing, based on the
codes stored in a sheet along with an image recognizable by a person, and a user purchases
only an apparatus which performs the latter process, whereby the same effect is obtainable.
Therefore, expense incurred by a user for apparatus purchase can be suppressed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026]
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a drawing apparatus according to the present
invention,
Figure 2A is a block diagram showing a drawing apparatus according to a first embodiment
of the present invention,
Figure 2B is a block diagram showing the drawing-data generation means of the drawing
apparatus shown in Figure 2A,
Figure 3A is a diagram showing reference points which represent the strokes of a writing
implement,
Figure 3B is a diagram showing an example of the data stored in a character database,
Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram showing how data synthesis means converts character
data to drawing data,
Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the drawing-data generation means of a drawing
apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data sheet that the image read means
shown in Figure 5 reads,
Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the drawing-data generation means of a drawing
apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 8 is a block diagram showing how drawing data is coded by a drawing apparatus
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 9 is a block diagram showing how the drawing data coded by the drawing apparatus
of Figure 8 is decoded,
Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the drawing-data generation means
of a drawing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and
Figure 11 is a block diagram showing another example of the drawing-data generation
means according to the fifth embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(First Embodiment)
[0027] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a drawing apparatus in accordance with
a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] As shown in Figure. 1, the drawing apparatus includes a paper supply section 1 which
places manuscript sheets, a feeder (not shown) which conveys the manuscript sheets
placed on the paper supply section 1 one by one, and a paper discharge section 2 which
discharges the manuscript conveyed by the feeder.
[0029] The drawing apparatus further includes (1) a paper hold section 4 (equivalent to
paper hold means 13 in Figure. 2A) which holds a sheet of paper 3; (2) a Z-axis slide
section 6 (equivalent to writing-implement hold means 12 and drawing drive means 14
in Figure. 2A) which holds a writing implement 5 (such as a writing brush, a pen and
the like) whose drawing density or drawing size varies according to drawing pressure
and slides (or moves by multiple stages) the writing implement 5 in the Z-axis direction
shown in Figure. 1; (3) an X-axis slide section 7 (equivalent to the drawing drive
means 14 in Figure. 2A) which slides the Z-axis slide section 6 in the X-axis direction
shown in Figure. 1; and (4) a pair of Y-axis slide sections 8 (equivalent to the drawing
drive means 14 in Figure. 2A) which slide the X-axis slide section 7 in the Y direction
shown in Figure. 1. Moreover, the drawing apparatus includes a drawing-data generation
circuit (equivalent to drawing-data generation means 10 in Figure. 2A) in the interior
thereof. The drawing-data generation circuit generates drawing data that is supplied
to a driver (not shown and equivalent to drawing control means 11 in Figure. 2A) which
controls drive of the slide sections 6 to 8. Note that the drawing data will be described
in detail later.
[0030] As shown in Figure. 2B, the drawing-data generation means 10 is constituted by image
read means 20, character recognition means 21, layout information generation means
22, a character database 23, and data synthesis means 24.
[0031] The image read means 20 is constituted by a charge-coupled device (CCD) or the like,
and reads out an image on the manuscript conveyed from the paper supply section 1
toward the paper discharge section 2 by the feeder and outputs bitmap data.
[0032] The character recognition means 21 performs pattern matching between a pattern cut
in a character unit from the bitmap data obtained by the image read means 20 and a
previously stored character pattern for character recognition, that is, performs character
recognition and outputs a corresponding character code.
[0033] The layout information generation means 22 is provided with an automatic layout function,
and generates layout information, based on layout information stored in advance and
the character code obtained by the character recognition means 21. Note that the position
information and size information of the pattern, cut for character recognition in
a character unit, with respect to a manuscript may be extracted and input to the layout
information generation means 22. This makes it possible to reproduce the layout of
the manuscript.
[0034] In the character database 23, a combination of a character code, position information
(hereinafter referred to as absolute position information) X, Y of reference points
P1 to P9 (a start point, a plurality of intermediate points on a stroke such as a
bent point and the minimum and maximum points of drawing pressure, and an end point),
and corresponding drawing-pressure information (equivalent to Z coordinates) Z is
stored as character data such as that shown in Figure 3B. The reference points P1
to P9 represent strokes (strokes S1, S2) of a writing implement, such as the one shown
in Figure 3A. If information of a user has been registered as this character data
in advance, the user's handwriting can be reproduced. In addition, information of
a certain person with good handwriting may be registered so that that handwriting
can be reproduced. Furthermore, information of a plurality of persons may be registered
so that a user can arbitrarily select the plurality of persons' handwriting.
[0035] The data synthesis means 24 reads out corresponding character data stored in the
character database 23, based on a character code for each character obtained by the
character recognition means 21. The data synthesis means 24 also converts the character
data to drawing data, based on the layout information obtained by the layout information
generation means 22. More specifically, as shown in a conceptual diagram of Figure
4, the absolute position information and drawing-pressure information corresponding
to this are converted to relative position information with respect to the paper 3
held by the paper hold section 4 (hereinafter referred to as relative position information)
and drawing-pressure information corresponding to this. The obtained relative position
information and drawing-pressure information are supplied to the drawing control means
11 as drawing data.
[0036] Now, the operation of the drawing apparatus constructed as mentioned above will be
described with postal addressing as an example.
(1) The user selects address data sheets for postcards to be sent, from a bundle of
address data sheets with addresses written thereon. The addresses may be written by
hand or may be typed with a personal computer, a word processor or the like. Furthermore,
the user rearranges the selected address data sheets in the order of making postcards
earlier, places the rearranged address data sheets on the paper supply sheets 1, and
instructs reading. In response to this instruction, the image read means 20 reads
out the address data sheet conveyed by the feeder and outputs bitmap data.
(2) The character recognition means 21 performs pattern matching between a pattern
cut in a character unit from the input bitmap data (e.g., a pattern consisting of
various characters as shown in Figure 6 ) and a character recognition pattern stored
in advance and outputs a character code corresponding to each recognition pattern.
Note that if character recognition is performed in city, town, and name units, not
in a character unit, when characters written on a manuscript are specified to some
degree, as in an address, the recognition rate can be enhanced. In addition, city,
town, and village names may be discriminated, by storing a table representing a corresponding
relationship between a postal code number and a city or town name and by making reference
to this table from the character recognition result of a numerical number having a
high recognition rate.
(3) The layout information generation means 22 generates layout information, based
on address layout information stored in advance and the character code obtained by
the character recognition means 21. Here, the address layout information includes,
for example, the position information of the address column on a postcard, and the
size information of each character of city, town, and street names and a house number
(both can be discriminated by a character code), the character allocation information
and the like in this column.
(4) The data synthesis means 24 reads out character data stored in the character data
base 23, based on the character code for each character obtained by the character
recognition means 21. For instance, when character code 002 is obtained, the data
synthesis means 24 reads out the absolute position information of the reference points
P1 to P9 of the strokes S1, S2 corresponding to the character code 002 and the corresponding
drawing-pressure information, shown in Figure 3B. Furthermore, the data synthesis
means 24 converts the absolute position information and the drawing-pressure information
corresponding to this to the relative position information with respect to the paper
3 held by the paper hold means 3 and the drawing-pressure information corresponding
to this, based on the layout information obtained by the layout information generation
means 22. That is, character data is converted to drawing data.
(5) The drawing control means 11 converts the drawing data to drive data for driving
the drawing drive means 14 and outputs the drive data.
(6) The X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction sliders 6 to 8 as
the drawing drive means 14 slide according to the drive data. As a result, the relative
positions of the writing implement 5 with respect to the postcard 3 vary and an address
is drawn on the postcard 3 in characters like those written by a person with a writing
implement.
[0037] Here, when a sender is simultaneously drawn on a sheet of paper, the following method,
for example, is considered.
[0038] The user previously prepares a sender data sheet with only senders drawn thereon
and an address data sheet with only addresses drawn thereon. The discrimination between
the two data sheets by a person and the drawing apparatus can be performed by setting
an identification mark in the head portion of each data sheet.
[0039] If the drawing apparatus identifies the sender data sheet from its identification
mark, the drawing apparatus erases only a portion of memory corresponding to the sender
portion and then stores sender-drawing data. If, on the other hand, the drawing apparatus
identifies the address data sheet from its identification mark, the drawing apparatus
erases only a portion of memory corresponding to the address portion and then stores
address-drawing data and synthesizes the sender-drawing data previously stored and
this address-drawing data, thereby generating synthesized drawing data. Using the
obtained synthesized drawing data, drawing is performed on paper.
[0040] With this function, the user can save time for filling in sender columns with respect
to all addresses.
[0041] In addition, it becomes possible to change a sender column with respect to the same
address.
(Second Embodiment)
[0042] In the first embodiment, while character recognition has been performed in order
to generate drawing data from a sheet, this process is not necessarily needed. A drawing
apparatus according to a second embodiment without character recognition will hereinafter
be described. Note that the exterior construction of the drawing apparatus according
to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 1.
[0043] Figure 5 schematically shows the drawing-data generation means 10a of the drawing
apparatus according to the second embodiment. This drawing-data generation means 10a
is constituted by image read means 30, stroke analysis means 31, drawing-pressure
information extraction means 32, and data synthesis means 33.
[0044] The image read means 30 reads out, in a range of multiple gradation, an image on
a manuscript conveyed from the paper supply section 1 toward the paper discharge section
2 by the feeder and outputs bitmap data. Note that in the second embodiment, an image
on a manuscript needs to be drawn with a writing implement (e.g., a pencil, a fluorescent
marker, etc.) whose drawing density varies according to drawing pressure, because
drawing pressure is estimated from the drawing density.
[0045] The stroke analysis means 31 performs stroke analysis on the bitmap data obtained
by the image read means 30 and outputs the pattern of each stroke and the relative
position information of the reference points of the stroke (relative position information
with respect to a manuscript) as stroke information.
[0046] The drawing-pressure information extraction means 32 converts the drawing density
at the reference point of each stroke obtained by the image read means 30 and the
stroke analysis means 31 to drawing-pressure information, by making reference to a
table representing a relationship between drawing density and drawing pressure, stored
in advance. Note that when, in 1 stroke, a turnover point, an intersection with another
stroke and the like are extracted based on the pattern of each stroke obtained by
the stroke analysis means 31, there is a need to estimate the drawing density of a
stroke alone in view of the development of a brush and to convert the estimated drawing
density to drawing-pressure information.
[0047] The data synthesis means 33 combines the relative position information of the reference
points of each stroke obtained by the stroke analysis means 31 with the drawing-pressure
information corresponding to the reference point, obtained by the stroke analysis
means 31. The synthesized information is supplied to the drawing control means 11
as drawing data.
[0048] Now, the operation of the drawing apparatus constructed as mentioned above will be
described with postal addressing as an example.
(1) The user selects address data sheets for postcards to be sent, from a bundle of
address data sheets with addresses written thereon. The addresses may be written with
a writing implement whose drawing density varies according to drawing pressure and
may be typed by a personal computer or the like so that the drawing density varies
according to drawing pressure. Furthermore, the user rearranges the selected address
data sheets in the order of making postcards earlier, places the rearranged address
data sheets on the paper supply sheets 1, and instructs reading. In response to this
instruction, the image read means 30 reads, in a range of multiple gradation, the
address data sheet shown in Figure 6, conveyed by the feeder and outputs bitmap data.
(2) The stroke analysis means 31 performs stroke analysis on the bitmap pattern obtained
by the image read means 30 and outputs the pattern of each stroke and the relative
position information of the reference points (e.g., the reference points P1 to P6
of a stroke in the left side piece of the Japanese character shown in Figure 3A) of
each stroke.
(3) The drawing-pressure information extraction means 32 judges if there is a turnover
point, an intersection with another stroke or the like in 1 stroke, from each pattern
stroke obtained by the stroke analysis means 31. For example, the left side piece
of the Japanese character shown in Figure 3A going to the swept-up portion has a turnover
portion at point P4 and the third Japanese character as shown in the right side of
a postcard illustrated in Figure 6 has an intersection at the upper right portion.
When it is judged that there is no turnover point or the like, the drawing-pressure
information extraction means 32 converts the drawing density obtained by the image
read means 30 to drawing-pressure information, by making reference to the previously
stored table representing a relationship between drawing density and drawing pressure.
When, on the other hand, it is judged that there is a turnover or the like, the drawing-pressure
information extraction means 32 estimates the density of the turnover point or the
intersection from the peripheral drawing density of the turnover point or the intersection
and converts the estimated density to drawing pressure.
(4) The data synthesis means 33 combines the relative position information of the
reference points of each stroke obtained by the stroke analysis means 31 with the
drawing-pressure information corresponding to the reference points, obtained by the
drawing-pressure information extraction means 32 and outputs the combined information
as drawing data.
(5) The drawing control means 11 converts the drawing data to drive data for driving
the drawing drive means 14 and outputs the drive data.
(6) The X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction sliders 6 to 8 as
the drawing drive means 14 slide according to the drive data. As a result, the relative
positions of the writing implement 5 with respect to the postcard 3 vary and an address
is drawn on the postcard 3 in characters like those written by a person with a writing
implement.
[0049] Note that while in the above-mentioned description drawing pressure has been estimated
from drawing density, drawing pressure may also be estimated from the drawing size
that is produced by a writing implement whose drawing pressure is reflected in drawing
size. In this case, the drawing-pressure information extraction means 32 in Figure
5 converts size information extracted from a distance between the center line and
the outline of a stroke to drawing-pressure information, by making reference to a
previously stored table representing a relationship between drawing size and drawing
pressure. Note that as with the case of the drawing density, it is also desirable
to take a turnover point, an intersection with another stroke and the like into consideration
for the case of the drawing size. In addition, both drawing density and drawing size
may be used in estimating drawing pressure.
(Third Embodiment)
[0050] In the second embodiment, although the table representing a corresponding relationship
between drawing density (or drawing size) and drawing pressure has been employed in
order to estimate drawing pressure at the reference point of each stroke, drawing
pressure at the reference point of a representative stroke may be measured in advance
and this pressure may be stored. A description will hereinafter be given of a drawing
apparatus according to a third embodiment in which drawing pressure at the reference
point of a representative stroke is measured and stored in advance. Note that the
exterior construction of the drawing apparatus according to the third embodiment is
substantially the same as the one shown in Figure 1.
[0051] Figure 7 schematically shows the drawing-data generation means 10b of the drawing
apparatus according to the third embodiment. This drawing-data generation means 10b
is constituted by image read means 40, stroke analysis means 41, reference-stroke
storage means 42, stroke matching means 43, drawing-pressure information extraction
means 44, and data synthesis means 45.
[0052] The image read means 40, as with the first embodiment, reads out an image on a manuscript
conveyed from the paper supply section 1 toward the paper discharge section 2 by the
feeder, and outputs bitmap data.
[0053] The stroke analysis means 41, as with the second embodiment, performs stroke analysis
on the bitmap pattern obtained by the image read means 30 and outputs the pattern
of each stroke and the relative position information of the reference points of the
stroke.
[0054] The reference-stroke storage means 42 stores both the bitmap data of a representative
stroke (hereinafter referred to as a reference stroke) and the corresponding code.
[0055] The stroke matching means 43 performs pattern matching between each stroke obtained
by the stroke analysis means 41 and the reference stroke stored in the reference-stroke
storage means 42 and outputs a corresponding code.
[0056] The drawing-pressure information extraction means 44 stores both a code corresponding
to each stroke and drawing-pressure information of the reference points of the stroke.
[0057] The data synthesis means 45 combines the relative position information of the reference
points of each stroke obtained by the stroke analysis means 41 with the drawing-pressure
information read out from the drawing-pressure information extraction means 44 in
accordance with the code obtained by the stroke match means 42 and supplies the combined
information to the drawing control means 11 as drawing data.
(Fourth Embodiment)
[0058] Though the above-mentioned first through third embodiments perform drawing by supplying
the drawing data generated by the drawing-data generation means 10c directly to the
drawing control means 11, the generation of the drawing data may differ in place and
timing from the drawing operation that employs the generated drawing data.
[0059] For instance, as shown in Figure 8, the drawing data generated by each drawing-data
generation means 10 of the first through third embodiments may be coded by coding
means 51 such as an encoder and the coded data may be output to a paper sheet at the
code output means 52 as a bar code, a two-dimensional code or the like. Note that
the coded data may be output directly to a paper sheet or may be output to a tacking
sheet.
[0060] In this case, thereafter, as shown in Figure 9, the code (code information of drawing
data) stored on a sheet is read out by code read means 16 (which performs reading
optically or magnetically according to cord form) as needed, and the read code is
decoded by decoding means 17. After the decoded drawing data has been temporarily
stored in the drawing-data storage means 18, the data is supplied to drawing control
means 11.
[0061] According to this construction, processing can be suitably performed as occasion
demands. Thus, for example, the following method of usage becomes possible.
[0062] If a user sends a manuscript, written by hand or with a personal computer or a word
processor, to a predetermined center by mail, an operator will perform an operation
of outputting a drawing code with a drawing-code output unit shown in Figure 8, equipped
in the center. After this operation, a manuscript with codes stored on the reverse
side is sent back from the center to the user. The user purchases only a drawing apparatus
shown in Figure 9, then selects and rearranges necessary codes from the manuscript
with codes stored thereon, along with characters recognizable by a person, and operates
the drawing apparatus.
(Fifth Embodiment)
[0063] In the fourth embodiment, an image previously drawn on a sheet is employed as drawing
data and therefore image read means is required for inputting the image. However,
it is possible to use other input means in order to input the image.
[0064] For example, a pen-input digitizer (three-dimensional input is preferable) which
is used as a pointing device can be used as a unit for handwritten input, When this
digitizer is capable of detecting position information and drawing-pressure information
that were input, the digitizer alone functions as the drawing-data generation means
10d (see Figure 10). Note that because of repetitive use of the database, characters
recognizable by a person must be written on a manuscript along with codes, and it
is therefore preferable that an image, input with a pen, can also be drawn on paper
placed on the digitizer.
[0065] In addition, as shown in Figure 11, in the drawing-data generation means 10e, a two-
or more-dimensional digitizer 60 of a pen input type may function as means for assisting
image input means and character recognition. In this case, character recognition means
61 stores, for example, information such as the strokes of a Japanese character, the
order of making strokes in a Japanese character, and the drawing speed. Note that
layout information generation means 62, a character database 63, and data synthesis
means 64 are substantially the same as those shown in the first embodiment.
[0066] As with the fourth embodiment, processing can be suitably performed even by a construction
of using a tablet, as occasion demands. However, when reproduction of a user's handwriting
is desired, it is preferable that the user go to a predetermined center to input an
image with a pen-type digitizer equipped at the center.
[0067] According to the first through fifth embodiments, as described above, characters
like those written by a person with a writing implement can be drawn. In addition,
if a sheet with recognizable characters written thereon (in the fourth and fifth embodiments,
a sheet with code information of drawing data stored therein along with recognizable
characters) is used as a database, rearrangement, insertion, and sampling operations
can be easily performed when the database is repeatedly used. Therefore, the first
through fifth embodiments are convenient to use in addressing mail from an office
to customers.
[0068] In addition, according to the second and third embodiments, processing is speeded
up compared with the first embodiment, because there is no need to perform character
recognition. Moreover, in the second embodiment, memory capacity can be reduced, because
memory for storing character data and drawing-pressure information is not needed.
[0069] Furthermore, according to the fourth or fifth embodiments, the operation from generation
of drawing data to drawing can be divided into the operation of generating drawing
data from a sheet and coding the drawing data and the operation of actually drawing
an image based on the code. In this way, all that is required is to purchase only
a unit for the latter operation and therefore a user's expense for purchasing the
apparatus can be suppressed.
[0070] Although the apparatuses described in detail above have been found to be most satisfactory
and preferred, many variations in structure are possible. Because many variations
and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein
taught, it should be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative
and not in a limiting sense.
1. A drawing apparatus comprising
writing-implement hold means which holds a writing implement whose drawing density
or drawing size varies according to drawing pressure and/or drawing speed,
paper hold means which holds a sheet of paper,
drawing drive means which moves in at least three directions to perform drawing by
varying a relative positional relationship between the writing implement held by the
writing-implement hold means and the paper held by the paper hold means,
drawing control means which controls drive of the drawing drive means, and
drawing-data generation means which generates drawing data, which is supplied to the
drawing control means,
2. A drawing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the drawing-data generation means
comprises
image read means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
character recognition means which performs character recognition on the image data
obtained by the image read means,
a character database which stores a plurality of character data constituting the drawing
data,
layout information generation means which generates layout information from at least
the result of character recognition, and
data synthesis means which generates corresponding character data from the character
database, based on the result of character recognition obtained by the character recognition
means and also synthesizes drawing data, based on the layout information.
3. A drawing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the drawing-data generation means
comprises
image read means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
stroke analysis means which generates stroke information from the image data obtained
by the image read means,
drawing-pressure extraction means which extracts drawing-pressure information from
at least either drawing information or drawing size of the image data and from the
stroke information obtained by the stroke analysis means, and
data synthesis means which synthesizes drawing data from the stroke information and
the drawing-pressure information.
4. A drawing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the drawing-data generation means
comprises
image read means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
stroke analysis means which generates stroke information from the image data obtained
by the image read means,
reference-stroke storage means in which a plurality of reference strokes are stored,
stroke matching means which matches the stroke information obtained by the stroke
analysis means with the reference stroke information stored in the reference-stroke
storage means,
drawing-pressure information storage means in which a plurality of items of drawing-pressure
information are stored in accordance with the plurality of reference strokes, and
data synthesis means which reads out the drawing-pressure information corresponding
to the reference stroke, obtained by the matching performed by the stroke matching
means, from the drawing-pressure information storage means and combines the drawing-pressure
information and each stroke information, thereby synthesizing drawing data.
5. A drawing-data output apparatus for outputting drawing data which is supplied to drawing
control means which controls drive of drawing drive means which moves in at least
three directions to perform drawing by varying a relative positional relationship
between a writing implement whose printing density or printing size varies according
to drawing pressure and/or drawing speed, held by writing-implement hold means, and
paper held by paper hold means, the drawing-data output apparatus comprising
drawing-data generation means which generates the drawing data,
coding means which codes the drawing data generated by the drawing-data generation
means, and
code output means which outputs the code obtained by the coding means.
6. A drawing-data output apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the drawing-data generation
means comprises
image read means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
character recognition means which performs character recognition on the image data
obtained by the image read means,
a character database which stores a plurality of character data constituting the drawing
data,
layout information generation means which generates layout information from at least
the result of character recognition, and
data synthesis means which generates corresponding character data from the character
database, based on the result of character recognition obtained by the character recognition
means and also synthesizes drawing data, based on the layout information.
7. A drawing-data output apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the drawing-data generation
means comprises
image read means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
stroke analysis means which generates stroke information from the image data obtained
by the image read means,
drawing-pressure extraction means which extracts drawing-pressure information from
at least either drawing information or drawing size of the image data and from the
stroke information obtained by the stroke analysis means, and
data synthesis means which synthesizes drawing data from the stroke information and
the drawing-pressure information.
8. A drawing-data output apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the drawing-data generation
means comprises
image read means which reads an image drawn on a sheet,
stroke analysis means which generates stroke intonation from the image data obtained
by the image read means,
reference-stroke storage means in which a plurality of reference strokes are stored,
stroke matching means which matches the stroke intonation obtained by the stroke analysis
means with the reference stroke intonation stored in the reference-stroke storage
means,
drawing-pressure information storage means in which a plurality of items of drawing-pressure
intonation are stored in accordance with the plurality of reference strokes, and
data synthesis means which reads the drawing-pressure intonation corresponding to
the reference stroke, obtained by the matching performed by the stroke matching means,
from the drawing-pressure information storage means and combines the drawing-pressure
information and each stroke information, thereby synthesizing drawing data.
9. A drawing-data output apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the drawing-data generation
means is a multidimensional digitizer which inputs data equivalent to drawing data.
10. A drawing-data output apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the drawing-data generation
means comprises
character recognition means which performs character recognition, based on the data
input by the multidimensional digitizer,
a character database which stores a plurality of character data constituting the drawing
data,
layout information generation means which generates layout information from at least
the result of character recognition, and
data synthesis means which generates corresponding character data from the character
database, based on the result of character recognition obtained by the character recognition
means and also synthesizes drawing data, based on the layout information.
11. A drawing apparatus comprising
writing-implement hold means which holds a writing implement whose drawing density
or drawing size varies according to drawing pressure and/or drawing speed,
paper hold means which holds a sheet of paper,
drawing drive means which moves in at least three directions to perform drawing by
varying a relative positional relationship between the writing implement held by the
writing-implement hold means and the paper held by the paper hold means,
drawing control means which controls drive of the drawing drive means,
code read means which reads a code from a sheet in which drawing data to be supplied
to the drawing control means along with image or character information recognizable
by a person is coded and stored,
decoding means which decodes the read code, and
drawing-data storage means which stores the drawing data obtained by the decoding
means.
12. A drawing-data output apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising second
drawing-data storage means which stores drawing data,
wherein the second drawing-data storage means is writable after being partially erased,
when drawing data obtained from a newly read sheet is written.
13. A drawing-data output apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the drawing-data storage
means is writable after being partially erased, when drawing data obtained from a
newly read sheet is written.