System for encoding a collection of ideographic characters
First Claim
1. An apparatus for encoding a collection of characters, each characters composed of one or more strokes written in a predetermined writing sequence to make the character, said apparatus comprising:
- first means for storing a plurality of strings of code numbers, each string representing a character in the collection, wherein the strokes that make up the characters of the collection are classified into a plurality of groups of one or more strokes, each group corresponding to a predetermined code number, each number in a string representing one of the strokes of the appropriate group, wherein for all the characters in the collection, the order of the code numbers in the string is the same as said predetermined writing sequence of strokes so that the string always begins with the code number for the first stroke of the predetermined writing sequence and follows said sequence without interruption until the end of the string wherein for at least some characters in the collection, the strings representing such characters contain few code numbers than the number of strokes in such characters, so that said at least some characters are uniquely identifiable before entry of all of the strokes of such characters;
second means for storing the shapes of the characters in the collection;
display means for displaying the shapes of the characters in the second storing means;
means for enabling an operator to enter code numbers; and
controlling means for comparing the string of code numbers entered by the operator as they are entered to the strings in the first storing means and for causing the display means to display the shape of a character from the second storing means when the code numbers entered by the entering means uniquely identify said character.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer input system for Chinese and Japanese characters. The different strokes for composing the characters are classified into different groups, each identified by a code number. The strings of code numbers are stored in memory where the strings contain only as many code numbers as are necessary to identify the characters. Strings for two or more characters used together as compounds are also stored. When a code number entered by an operator matches a string stored, a controller causes the shape of the actual character to be fetched from memory and displayed. For some characters, partial characters are also stored and are fetched and displayed when the string of code numbers for such partial characters matches the code numbers entered to aid beginners. The string of code numbers representing each character follows exactly a traditional; writing sequence of the character from the very first stroke to the end of the string of code numbers. However, the computer usually identifies the character before the entire writing sequence is completed, particularly for characters used together in compounds.
167 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for encoding a collection of characters, each characters composed of one or more strokes written in a predetermined writing sequence to make the character, said apparatus comprising:
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first means for storing a plurality of strings of code numbers, each string representing a character in the collection, wherein the strokes that make up the characters of the collection are classified into a plurality of groups of one or more strokes, each group corresponding to a predetermined code number, each number in a string representing one of the strokes of the appropriate group, wherein for all the characters in the collection, the order of the code numbers in the string is the same as said predetermined writing sequence of strokes so that the string always begins with the code number for the first stroke of the predetermined writing sequence and follows said sequence without interruption until the end of the string wherein for at least some characters in the collection, the strings representing such characters contain few code numbers than the number of strokes in such characters, so that said at least some characters are uniquely identifiable before entry of all of the strokes of such characters; second means for storing the shapes of the characters in the collection; display means for displaying the shapes of the characters in the second storing means; means for enabling an operator to enter code numbers; and controlling means for comparing the string of code numbers entered by the operator as they are entered to the strings in the first storing means and for causing the display means to display the shape of a character from the second storing means when the code numbers entered by the entering means uniquely identify said character. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for encoding a collection of Chinese characters, each character composed of one or more strokes written in a predetermined writing sequence to make the character, said method comprising:
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storing a plurality of strings of code numbers, each string representing a character in the collection, wherein the strokes that make up the characters of the collection are classified into a plurality of groups of one or more strokes, each group corresponding to a predetermined code number, each number in a string representing one of the strokes of the appropriate group, wherein the order of the code numbers in the string is the same as said predetermined writing sequence of strokes so that the string always begins with the code number for the first stroke of the predetermined writing sequence and follows said sequence without interruption wherein for at least some characters in the collection, the strings representing such characters contain fewer code numbers than the number of strokes in such characters; storing the shapes of the characters; and comparing the string of code numbers entered by an operator as they are entered to the strings stored and displaying the shape of a character when the code numbers entered by the operator uniquely identify said character.
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Specification