Importance

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Abstract

An input device, which utilizes a virtual keyboard, includes a device for designating at least one input-position in a virtual keyboard displayed on a display; an input-symbol defining device for defining a form and a meaning of each input-symbol drawn by the designating means (e.g., a write-pen); and a symbol recognition device for discriminating the input-position and related input-symbol drawn at the input-position on the basis of information defined by the input-symbol defining means. The input device generates a specified input-code in a real keyboard in accordance with a combination of the input-position and the input-symbol, and displays characters or symbols corresponding to the input-code on the display means. Preferably, the form of each input-symbol includes a length of a segment drawn by the designating device and a direction in which the segment extends. Further, the meaning of each input-symbol includes information about a correspondence between the form of each input-symbol and a method in which at least one key in the real keyboard is depressed.

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First Claim