Data input apparatus and method

摘要

An apparatus is disclosed for providing data into a template document, the template document having a number of portions for completion by a user. The apparatus comprises: a verbal input device ( 72 ) arranged to receive and record a verbal passage, the verbal passage including information for a specific one of the portions of the template document; and a handwriting input device ( 70 ) arranged to decode handwritten information corresponding to the verbal passage, the handwritten information including identification of the specific portion of the template document. The apparatus also includes a data processing and storage device ( 78,82 ) arranged to: associate the verbal passage with the handwritten information based on the timings of the verbal passage and the handwritten information; determine from the verbal passage and the handwritten information the data to be provided into the specific portion of the template document; and associate the data with the specific portion of the template document.