Character recognizing and translating system

Abstract: A study system of a character recognizing and translating system is provided with a character data base for storing character data representing characters contained in a sensed image; a character shape analysis unit for analyzing the shape of a character to extract the features of character constituting elements constituting the character; and, a mask learning unit for generating sample mask data of the character constituting elements on the basis of the analysis result of the character shape analysis unit. A recognition system of the character recognizing and translating system is provided with a collating unit for collating the character data of a character to be recognized with the sample mask data so as to recognize the character. Further, a study system of a voice recognizing and translating system is provided with a sound data base for storing data from which noise is removed; a sound analysis unit for extracting the features of the voice corresponding to the voice data stored in the sound data base; and a model learning unit for creating an acoustic model on the basis of the analysis result of the sound analysis unit. A recognition system of the voice recognizing and translating system is provided with: an acoustic model storing unit for storing acoustic models; a second sound analysis unit for extracting the feature of the voice corresponding to the data concerned on the basis of the data obtained by removing the data representing noise from the voice data of a newly input voice, and a voice collating unit for collating the voice data obtained by the second sound analysis unit with the data of the acoustic models so as to recognize the voice.

Description: The present invention relates to a character recognizing and translating system which is suitable for use as a portable translating machine or the like, and more particularly to a character recognizing and translating system for taking, as camera image data, characters which are written on sightseeing guide boards, building name plates, signboards, sightseeing guide pamphlets, menus of restaurants, etc. to which travelers often refer in overseas travel places, for example so as to recognize the characters. The character recognizing and translating system is not restricted to any particular shape or size of character, nor to any particular languages, and it is suitable for use in recognizing and translating various characters written in various languages which are taken in or imaged as camera image data. Recently, a portable liquid crystal digital camera has been developed for enabling a user to view just-photographed still image information at the place where the photographs were taken, record the still image information in a recording medium, display the image information on a large-scale screen monitor, print the image information with a printer, etc. Japanese Patent Application JP-A-3-087976 discloses a character recognizing and translating machine for an electronic still camera, which is connected to an electronic still camera such as the above-described type of liquid crystal digital camera or the like, to recognize character information in recorded images and further to translate the recognized result. This machine is designed so as to receive character information contained in object images from the electronic still camera and recognize and translate characters contained in the character information. More specifically, according to the character recognizing and translating machine, video signals from the electronic still camera are -converted to signals which are suitable for character recognition and translation processing, and are then subjected to a series of general information processing steps such as character area extraction processing based on an edge extraction method; background deletion processing, character arrangement slant correction processing, character recognition processing based on a pattern matching method, machine translation processing, etc. US-A-5063508 discloses a portable electronic dictionary which translates text from a predetermined language into a target language. The dictionary is held stationary over the text to be translated and an optical character scanning head scans over the text generating a representative digital signal. A character identification controller then identifies the characters represented by the digital signal by reference to a standard alphabetical font stored in a font storage. A language dictionary then translates the recognised word into a target language. FR-A-2659461 discloses an automatic translation machine which uses a scanner to scan a document written in a predetermined language, and then to translate the recognised text into a target language. The machine uses a mathematical model to recognise characters, based on the topology of characters. However, according to the conventional character recognizing and translating devices as described above, it has been very difficult to recognise and translate characters written on sightseeing guide boards, building name plates, restaurant menus, sightseeing guide pamphlets, etc to which travellers often refer in overseas travel places. This is because it frequently occurs that characters cannot be accurately recognized by merely applying a pattern matching method using only a character reference pattern to calligraphic characters which are written in various writing styles in overseas places. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a character recognising and translating system which is not restricted by the shape or size of characters nor by any difference in language, and which can recognize and translate various characters written in various languages which are sensed as camera image data. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is so provided a character recognizing and translating system for recognizing characters contained in a sensed image and translating words or sentences which are composed of the recognised characters, comprising: a character data base for accumulating character data representing the characters contained in the sensed image; a character shape analysis unit for analysing the shape of each character on the basis of the character data in the character data base and extracting feature of character constituent elements constituting the character; a mask learning unit for generating sample mask data of the character constituent elements on the basis of a result of analysis of said character shape analysis unit; a character collating unit for collating character data of a character serving as a recognition target which is contained in the sensed image which is newly sensed, with the sample mask data of the character constituting elements; a translation unit for translating the words or sentences; and characterised by a judging unit for judging in which one of the more than one languages the words or sentences which are recognised by the character collating unit are formed; and the character collating unit is arranged to collate character data so as to recognise words or sentences in more than one language. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a character recognizing and translating system for analysing the shape of a character contained in sensed image on the basis of character data representing the character to obtain sample mask data of character constituent elements constituting the character, recognizing on the basis of the sample mask data a character which is newly sensed for the character recognition and translation, and translating words or sentences which are composed of the recognized characters, including: a character collating unit for collating the character data of the characters contained in the image with the sample mask data of the character constituent elements; a translation unit for translating the words or sentences; and characterised by a judging unit for judging in which one of the more than one languages the words or sentences which are recognised by the character collating unit are formed; and the character collating unit is arranged to collate character data so as to recognise words or sentences in more than one language. In the character recognising and translating system as described above, the character-shape analysis unit is preferably designed to divide binary data of m×n dots (pixels) from the character data in the character data base, detect "1" or "0" for each pixel while incrementing n, divide the data into picture-element areas of m×n1 (n1≤n), m×n2 (n2≤n), .., m×ni (ni≤n) which contain the features of the characters, and analyze a weight coefficient representing character identification and/or an attribute representing the start, link and end of the character for every pixel area. In the character recognizing and translating machine as described above, it is more preferable that the mask learning unit adds each of the picture-element areas of m×n1 (n1≤n), m×n2 (n2≤n), .., m×nj (nj≤n) containing the features of the characters with a weight coefficient representing character identification and/or attributes representing the start, link and end of the character for every pixel area so as to create sample mask data. In the character recognizing and translating machine as described above, it is more preferable that the character collating unit divides out binary data of m×n dots from the character data, detects "1" or "0" for each picture element while incrementing n, divides the data into picture-element areas of m×n1 (n1≤n), m×n2 (n2≤n) .., m×ni (ni≤n), which contain the features of the characters, and collates the data of the picture-element area and the sample mask data. In the character recognizing and translating machine as described above, it is more preferable that the system further includes a sample mask memory for storing sample mask data obtained by the mask learning unit, the sample mask memory storing therein sample mask data having n1,n2,..,nj elements which are different for each different character. In the character recognizing and translating machine as described above, it is more preferable that the system further includes an image sensing (pickup) unit for sensing an image containing characters, and a character array specifying unit for specifying a character array containing words or sentences to be recognized on the basis of the image data obtained by the sensed image. In the character recognizing and translating machine as described above, it is more preferable that the character array specifying unit specifies at least one area of m×n dots at any position. Furthermore, it is more preferable that when the obtained character array contains laterally-written characters, the character collating unit obtains a picture-element area in the width direction of the characters while incrementing n which is in connection with n dots in the width direction of the characters so as to collate the data of the picture-element area with the sample mask data. Furthermore, if or when the obtained character array contains longitudinally-written characters, the character collating unit obtains a picture-element area in the height direction of the characters while incrementing n which is in connection with n dots in the height direction of the characters so as to collate the data of the picture-element area with the sample mask data. Further, according to the present invention, the character recognizing and translating system preferably comprises a stationary-mount-type information equipment having an external storage device, and a portable-type information equipment which is detachably linked to the stationary-mount-type information equipment, and at least the character data base is provided in the external storage device of the stationary-mount-type information equipment while the other constituent parts are provided in the portable type information equipment. Particularly, the character data base, the character-shape analysis unit and the mask learning unit are provided in the stationary-mount-type information equipment while the other constituent parts are provided in the portable-type information equipment. According to the character recognizing and translating system thus constructed, those characters which are written on sightseeing guide boards, building name plates, signboards, sightseeing guide pamphlets, menus of restaurants, etc. to which travelers often refer in overseas travel places, can be sensed as image data so as to recognize and translate the characters contained therein, and the characters of various languages thus sensed as image data can be properly recognized and translated with no restriction in the shape or size of characters and languages. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a character recognizing and translating system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a method of generating sample mask data according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a flowchart for the sample mask data generating method in the first embodiment; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a sample mask data collating method according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a flowchart for the sample mask data collating method of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 6A and 6B show a portable translating machine to which the character recognizing and translating system of the first embodiment is applied; Figs. 7A and 7B show an example of a character specifying area in the first embodiment of the present invention: Embodiments according to the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 101 represents a recognition system for performing character recognition, reference numeral 102 represents a study system for generating sample mask data required for character recognition, and reference numeral 103 represents a translation system for receiving a recognition result from the recognition system for analyzing sentences on the basis of keywords and translating them. Reference numeral 104 represents a camera having a CCD or the like for sensing as image data characters which are written on guide boards, building name plates, menus of restaurants, sightseeing guide pamphlets, etc. Here, in order to ensure the permitted minimum resolution per character which is required for character recognition, an image analysis is performed by using a high-resolution camera or by using plural cameras. Accordingly, the resolution of characters in a character specifying area as described later which are displayed on a liquid crystal display device or the like is clearly different from the resolution of character image data which are taken for recognition processing, and the latter resolution is higher than the former resolution. Reference numeral 129 represents a display comprising a light emitting diode (LED), and reference numeral 130 represents a speaker,. The processing result of the translation system 103 is output as an image and as a voice containing sentences from the display 129 and the speaker 130, respectively. In the recognition system 101, reference numeral 105 represents an A/D converter, reference numeral 106 represents a character digitizing (binary) processing unit, reference numeral 107 represents a noise deletion (removing) unit, reference numeral 108 represents a character division unit, reference numeral 109 represents a collating unit, reference numeral 110 represents a judgment unit, reference numeral 111 represents a sample mask storing unit, reference numeral 112 represents a dictionary, reference numeral 113 represents a grammar dictionary, and reference numeral 114 represents a linking unit. Furthermore, in the study system 102, reference numeral 115 represents a large-scale character data base, reference numeral 116 represents a character shape analysis unit, and reference numeral 117 represents a mask learning unit. In the translation system 103, reference numeral 119 represents a keyword analysis unit, reference numeral 120 represents a word meaning dictionary (dictionary for word), reference numeral 122 represents a medium language processor, reference numeral 123 represents a sentence formation unit, reference numeral 124 represents a dictionary, reference numeral 125 represents a sentence structure example dictionary (dictionary for sentences), reference numeral 126 represents a sound synthesis processor, reference numeral 127 represents a sound dictionary, and reference numeral 128 represents a D/A converter. In the study system 102 thus constructed, still image data containing character arrays which are photographed (sensed) by a camera (CCD camera) 104 and then converted from analog signals to digital signals, are accumulated and stored in the large-scale character data base 115. On the basis of the still image data stored in the large-scale character data base 115, the character shape analysis unit 116 performs binary (digitizing) processing of digitizing the image data containing characters, extraction processing of extracting a character area from a background, including noise removing processing, and extraction processing of analyzing the shape of a character so as to extract the features of the character constituting elements which constitute the character. Subsequently, the mask learning unit 117 receives the feature extraction result of a character from the character shape analysis unit 116, and generates sample mask data on the basis of the feature extraction result. The sample mask data generated by the mask learning unit 117 are stored in the sample mask storing unit 111 in the recognition system 101. The reading-in of image character data into the large-scale character data base may be performed at any time. Nevertheless, it is preferable that processing by the study system 102 has been finished before the read-in operation as described above if there is extra or sufficient time. Furthermore, it is desirable to obtain the image character data corresponding to characters of plural different writing styles for each publicly-know character set (each character code) in advance. Like the sample mask storing unit 111, the recognition system 101 is provided with the dictionary 112 and the grammar dictionary 113 which are required to recognize words or sentences. For example, in a case where characters which are sensed by a camera are written in French and these characters are to be translated into Japanese, the sample mask storing unit 111, the dictionary 112 and the grammar dictionary 113 are designed to correspond to French. It is further preferable that a large-capacity storing medium such as an exchangeable IC (Integrated Circuit) card, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or the like is used for the sample mask storing unit 111, the dictionary 112 and the grammar dictionary 113 so that the system of the present invention is usable in a multi-lingual mode. In the case where the character (document) recognizing and translating system is applied to a device having a restriction in its hardware scale (size) such as a portable translating machine, the study system 102 may be installed in a personal computer while the other parts are installed in a portable translating machine as described later. The processing of the study system 102 will be described later. In the recognition system 101, the image data which are sensed by the CCD camera 104 and then converted to digital signals by the A/D converter 105 are subjected to binary processing by the character binary processor 106. At this time, the binary image data are normalized by a resolution conversion method, and converted to image data of m×n picture elements (dots) containing a character array. Subsequently, the image data are subjected to noise removing processing so as to cut out background noise and all other noise, leaving only the character data. Thereafter, the character division unit 108 divides-out a character area from the character array of m×n picture elements (dots) while incrementing n (that is, increasing n by every picture element (dot)). These divided-out character areas are collated, as character constituting elements constituting a character, with the sample mask data stored in the sample mask storing unit 111 by the collating unit 109. Subsequently, a character is constructed by respectively collated character constituting elements, and then the character thus constructed is recognized. Further, the characters thus recognized are linked to one another in the link unit 114 by referring to the dictionary 112 and the grammar dictionary 113, and then the sequential characters which are linked by the link unit 114 are collated to recognize a word or sentence by the judging unit 110. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 118 represents coded data which are output from the recognition system 101 and represents a word or sentence. The detailed processing of the collating unit 109 will be described. In the translation system 103, the coded data 118 which represent a word or sentence and which are output from the recognition system 101 are analyzed by the keyword analysis unit 119 to judge whether the word or sentence is an effective keyword for translation, and the meaning of such a word or sentence is recognized on the basis of the keyword. Furthermore, a medium language which represents only the meaning of the sentence and that is not dependent on any particular spoken language of any country is generated in the medium language processor 122. The keyboard analysis unit 119 is connected to a word meaning dictionary (dictionary for word) 120 and a sentence structure meaning dictionary (dictionary for sentence) 121. For example, when characters which are sensed by the CCD camera 104 are written in French and they are required to be translated into Japanese, the dictionary for word 120 and the dictionary for sentence 121 are designed to correspond to French. In order to use this system in a multi-lingual mode, a large-capacity storing medium such as an exchangeable IC card or CD-ROM is preferably used for the dictionary for word 120 and the dictionary for sentence 121. The medium language which is created in the medium language processor 122 is translated into sentences written in a desired language. The sentence formation unit 123 is connected to the dictionary 124 and the dictionary for sentences 125 which correspond to, e.g., Japanese. The translated sentence is displayed on the screen of the display 129. The translated sentence is further converted to a digital voice in the sound synthesis processor 126, passed through the D/A converter 128 for converting the digital signals to analog signals, and then output as a voice from the speaker 130. The sound synthesis processor 126 is connected to the dictionary for sentences 125 and a sound dictionary 127 which correspond to, e.g., Japanese. In order to use this system in a multilingual mode, a large-capacity storing medium such as an exchangeable IC card, CD-ROM or the like is preferably used for the dictionary 124, the dictionary for sentences 125 and the sound dictionary 127. Each processing step shown by the block diagram in Fig. 1 may be achieved by a system which comprises plural LSI (large-scale integrated) circuits and a memory, or by one or more system-on-chips, which are formed on a semiconductor device. Next, the detailed processing of the study system 102 will be described. Fig. 2 shows a method of generating sample mask data in the study system 102, and Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a sample mask data generating process. The character shape analysis unit 116 performs binary processing on image data containing characters which are supplied from the large-scale character data base stored with still image data containing a character array which have been converted to digital signals. The binary image data are normalized by the resolution conversion method, and converted to image data 201 (Fig. 2) of m×n picture elements (dots or pixels) of a character array (written laterally) (step ST301). Further, the extraction processing of extracting a character area from the background, which contains the noise removing processing, is performed to analyze the shape of each character; for example, to extract the features of character constituting elements which constitute a character "M" of mxn picture elements (dots) shown in Fig. 2. In order to perform this processing, "1" (black) or "0" (white) is detected for the mxn picture elements while incrementing n (=1, 2, 3,..) every picture element (dots) in the lateral direction, and the character area of m×n picture elements is divided into image areas (202 to 205 in Fig. 2) of character constituting elements m×n1(n1≤n), m×n2 (n2≤n), m×n3 (n3≤n), m×n4 (n4≤n), each character constituting element containing such a feature as the outline of a character or the like. At the same time, a weighting coefficient representing identification of a character (i.e., representing what the character concerned is) and attributes representing the start, the linkage and the end of the character are analyzed (step ST302). Subsequently, the mask learning unit 117 weighs the features of the parts of a divided character. If the type of character is estimated on the basis of only a part of the character, the weighting coefficient of the part is set to a large value (step ST303). Further, the attribute representing the start, the linkage and the end of the character is added to generate sample mask data (step ST304). Next, the detailed processing of the collating unit 109 in the recognition system 101 will be described. Fig. 4 shows an actual case where character data which are actually sensed as a camera image in an overseas travel place are collated with sample mask data in a portable translating machine to recognize a character "M". Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a character collating process shown in Fig. 4. First, m×n picture elements of a character specifying area is specified for a character to be recognized and translated, and they are sensed as camera image data (step ST501). Reference numeral 401 in Fig. 4 represents a character "M" corresponding to the picture elements (m×n) which are sensed as the camera image data. At this time, in the character binary processor 106, if the resolution of the sensed character data is different from that of the sample mask data, resolution conversion is performed on the sensed character data to normalize the character data so that the resolution of m dots in the height direction of the character is made equal between the sensed character data and the sample mask data in a case where the character is written in a lateral writing style (step ST502). With respect to the resolution of n dots in the width direction, it is preferable to prepare plural sample masks having different values of n. Subsequently, a character area is successively generated from the character data 401 by incrementing the value of n (=1, 2, 3,...) every picture element (dot) in the lateral direction, and the data of these areas thus generated are collated with the sample mask data to make a correlation, containing the weighting coefficients of the sample mask data, between the character data and the sample mask data. If the correlation is a maximum, a next picture-element area is generated to take a correlation in the same manner as described above (step ST503). For example, the correlation between the picture-element areas (402 to 405 in Fig. 4) of m×n1 (n1≤n), m×n2 (n2≤n), m×n3 (n3≤n), m×n4 (n4≤n) and the sample mask data (407 to 410 in Fig. 4) is assumed to be best. Here, reference numeral 411 in Fig. 4 represents sample mask data representing character constituting elements of another character. Reference numerals 412, 413, 414 and 415 represent image data containing the weighting coefficients of 0.7, 0.3, 0.8 and 0.4 respectively. As described above, the sample mask data is added with the attribute of the start, the linkage and the end of the character, whereby a time for searching sample mask data from the memory can be shortened. Finally, a character code "M" 421 is selected from plural character codes 420 as a target character code on the basis of the sample mask data which provides the maximum sum of the correlation values (step ST504). In Fig. 4, reference numerals 418 and 419 represent signals which indicate other sample mask data each providing the maximum sum of the correlation values. Fig. 6A shows a portable translating machine to which the image character translation system of the present invention is applied, and Fig. 6B shows an external view of the machine. In Fig. 6A, an explanation sentence which is written in a foreign language under a bronze statue is recognized and translated by the system. A user specifies the words or sentences he wants to know within a rectangular area while viewing them through a viewfinder of the portable translating machine. The specified character array is immediately subjected to character recognition. For example, when the user is a Japanese-speaking person, the character array is translated into Japanese. In Fig. 6B,reference numeral 601 represents the main body of the portable translating machine, and reference numeral 602 represents a CCD camera for taking a character image. Reference numerals 603 and 604 represent IC cards. In the IC card 603 data are stored for constructing the sample mask storing unit 111, the dictionary 112, the grammar dictionary 113, the dictionary for word 120 and the dictionary for sentence 121 to perform the character recognition and translation. Further, in the IC card 604 data are stored for constructing the dictionary 124, the dictionary for sentences 125 and the sound dictionary 127 to perform the character recognition and translation. Reference numeral 605 represents a liquid crystal display for displaying a character specifying area to specify the character array of a word or sentence for which the character recognition and translation is desired, and a character recognition and translation result. Reference numeral 606 represents a speaker for outputting the character recognition and translation result by voice. Figs. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a character indicating area for indicating a character array of a word or sentence for which character recognition and translation is desired. Fig. 7A shows a character specifying method when the character array is written laterally. In Fig.7A, reference numeral 703 represents a finder area or a display area for displaying the finder area. Both reference numerals 701 and 702 represent a character indicating area for indicating the character array of a word or sentence which are desired to be recognized and translated. Both character specifying areas 701 and 702 have a size of m×n picture elements (dots); that is, m picture elements (dots) in the height direction of the characters and n picture elements (dots) in the lateral direction of the characters. The size of each character indicating area can be independently changed. In addition, the character indicating areas 701 and 702 are independently disposed at any arbitrary position. Accordingly, the character indicating areas can be disposed at any desired positions so as to cover various characters which are written at any positions on a guide board, a building name plate, a menu of a restaurant, a sightseeing guide pamphlet or the like. In Fig. 7A, reference numeral 704 represents a translation display area for displaying a translation result of the character array of a word or sentence which are desired to be recognized and translated. Likewise, Fig. 7B shows a character indicating method when the character array is written in the vertical direction. In Fig. 7B, reference numeral 707 represents a finder area or a display area for displaying the finder area. Both reference numerals 705 and 706 represents a character indicating area for indicating the character array of a word or sentence which is required to be recognized and translated. Like the character indicating area of Fig. 7A, both character indicating areas 705 and 706 have a size of m×n picture elements (dots), which comprises m picture elements (dots) in the lateral direction of the characters and n picture elements (dots) in the vertical direction. The size of each character indicating area can be independently changed. Furthermore, both character indicating areas 705 and 706 can be disposed at any arbitrary position. Accordingly, the character indicating areas can be disposed at any desired position so as to cover various characters which are written at any position on a guide board, a building name plate, a menu of a restaurant, a sightseeing guide pamphlet or the like. In Fig. 7B, reference numeral 708 represents a translation display area for displaying a translation result of the character array of a word or sentence which is required to be recognized and translated. According to this embodiment, there can be provided the character recognizing and translating system for accurately recognizing and translating characters of various languages which are sensed as camera image data with no restriction in the shape or size of characters or the language. Accordingly, characters which are written on sightseeing guide boards, building name plates, signboards, pamphlets, menus of restaurants, etc. to which travelers refer in overseas travel places, can be sensed as camera image data, and be reliably recognized and translated. Therefore, a user can easily understand the meaning of the characters (sentences) as described above. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the subject matter of this invention. It is needless to say that any such modifications thus made are encompassed by the present invention. For example, in the first invention, the character (document) recognizing and translating system comprises the recognition system 101, the study system 102 and the translation system 103. However, the recognition system 101 and the translation system 103 may be mounted on a compact device such as a portable translating machine while the study system 102 may be mounted on a device having a relatively large-capacity storage device such as a personal computer or the like. In this case, the personal computer and the portable translating machine are connected to each other, and the recognition system and the study system are actuated to supply the data from the mask learning unit 117 of the study system 102 to the sample mask storing unit 111 of the recognition system 101. Accordingly, the necessary data are stored in the sample mask storing unit 111 of the recognition system 101, whereby the portable translating machine may be freely used. Alternatively, the personal computer may be provided with at least the character data base 115 while the other constituent elements are provided to the portable translating machine which may be detachably connected to the personal computer. Furthermore, in this specification, "means" does not necessarily mean a physical means, but it may comprise software which achieves the function of each means. Further, the function of one means or member may be achieved by two or more physical means or members, or the functions of two or more means or members may be achieved by one means or member.

Claims: A character recognizing and translating system for recognizing characters contained in a sensed image and translating words or sentences which are composed of the recognised characters, comprising: a character data base (115) for accumulating character data representing the characters contained in the sensed image; a character shape analysis unit (116) for analyzing the shape of each character on the basis of the character data in the character data base and extracting feature of character constituent elements constituting the character; a mask learning unit (117) for generating sample mask data of the character constituent elements on the basis of a result of analysis of said character shape analysis unit; a character collating unit (109) for collating character data of a character serving as a recognition target which is contained in the sensed image which is newly sensed, with the sample mask data of the character constituting elements; a translation unit (103) for translating the words or sentences; and characterised by a judging unit (110) for judging in which one of the more than one languages the words or sentences which are recognised by the character collating unit are formed; and the character collating unit (109) is arranged to collate character data so as to recognise words or sentences in more than one language. The character recognizing and translating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said character recognizing and translating system comprises a stationary-mount-type information equipment having an external storage device, and a portable-type information equipment (601) which is detachably connected to said stationary-mount-type information equipment, and wherein said character data base, said character shape analysis unit and said mask learning unit are provided to said stationary-mount information equipment, said external storage device contains said character data base, and all remaining constituent elements are provided to said portable information equipment. The character recognizing and translating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said character shape analysis unit divides out binary data of m×n dots (201) from the character data in said character data base and detects "1" or "0" for each picture element while incrementing n to divide the character data into picture-element areas of m×n1 (n1≤n), m×n2 (n2≤n), ..., m×ni (ni≤n) containing features of the character and analyze an attribute representing a weighting coefficient which represents an identification of the character, and/or the start, link and end of the character. The character recognizing and translating system as claimed in claim 3,wherein said mask learning unit adds each picture-element area m×n1 (n1≤n), m×n2 (n2≤n), ..., m×ni (ni≤n) containing the features of the character with the attribute representing the weighting coefficient which represents the identification of the character (i.e., represents what the character concerned is), and/or the start, link and end of the character to generate sample mask data. The character recognizing and translating system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said character collating unit divides out binary data of m×n dots from the character data in said character data base and detects "1" or "0" for each picture element while incrementing n to divide the character data into picture-element areas of m×n1 (n1≤n), m×n2 (n2≤n), ..., m×ni (ni≤n) containing the features of the character and collates the data of the picture-element areas with the sample mask data. The character recognizing and translating system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, further comprising a sample mask memory (111) for storing the sample mask data obtained by said mask learning unit, said sample mask memory storing therein different sample mask data of n1,n2,..,nj for an arbitrary character. The character recognizing and translating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 6, further comprising an image sensing unit for sensing an image containing characters, and a character array specifying unit for specifying a character array containing words or sentences to be recognized from the image data which are sensed by said image sensing unit. The character recognizing and translating system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said character array specifying unit specifies one or more area of m×n dots at any position from the image data obtained by said image sensing unit. The character recognizing and translating system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said character array specifying unit specifies one or more area of m×n dots at any position from the image data obtained by said image sensing unit. The character recognizing and translating system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein when the character array obtained by said character array specifying unit is written laterally, said character collating unit obtains the picture-element areas while incrementing n which is associated with n dots in the width direction of the characters, and collates the data of the picture-element areas with the sample mask data. The character recognizing and translating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 10, wherein said character recognizing and translating system comprises a stationary-mount-type information equipment having an external storing device, and a portable information equipment which is detachably connected to said stationary-mount-type information equipment, and where at least said character data base is provided to said external storing device of said stationary-mount-type information equipment while all remaining constituent elements are provided to said portable information equipment. A character recognizing and translating system for analyzing the shape of a character contained in sensed image on the basis of character data representing the character to obtain sample mask data of character constituent elements constituting the character, recognizing on the basis of the sample mask data a character which is newly sensed for the character recognition and translation, and translating words or sentences which are composed of the recognized characters, including: a character collating unit (109) for collating the character data of the characters contained in the image with the sample mask data of the character constituent elements; a translation unit (103) for translating the words or sentences; and characterised by a judging unit (110) for judging in which one of the more than one languages the words or sentences which are recognised by the character collating unit are formed; and the character collating unit (109) is arranged to collate character data so as to recognise words or sentences in more than one language.

Inventors: SATO HIROKO, WATISAKA SHINJI, SATO, HIROKO, WATISAKA, SHINJI
Applicants: HITACHI LTD, HITACHI, LTD.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G06K9
IPC codes: G06F17, G06K9, G10L15