GB1589542A

GB1589542A - Method of and apparatus for data collection and preparation

Info

Publication number: GB1589542A
Application number: GB37035/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1976-09-06
Filing date: 1977-09-05
Publication date: 1981-05-13
Also published as: IT1084431B; JPS5332650A; DE2739936A1; FR2363836B1; FR2363836A1

Description

(54) METHOD OF, AND APPARATUS FOR DATA COLLECTION AND PREPARATION (71) We, HORST FROESSL, a German Citizen of Gutenbergstrasse 2-4, Hemsbach, Germany, and DR. ROBERT DURRER, a Swiss Citizen of Schubelstrasse 1, Kusnacht, Switzerland, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to the collection and preparation of data from a plurality of source data records, especially but not exclusively for EDP (electronic data processing) applications, so that the data is arranged on a sequential record in segments in a predetermined sequence independently of the sequence in which they are arranged on the source data records, and relates also to apparatus for utilising the method.

The term "source record" as used in the description includes: Character data records, that is, source data records on which alphabetical and numerical data as well as formulas and other information is contained in handwritten, machine-written, printed, or luminous display on letters, bills, delivery notes, material issues, orders, or the like and intermediate files, that is, storage media for selected character data records, parts of character data records, or data segments contained on character data records. In general such source records contain human readable data.

In the collection and preparation of data in known ways, the following steps can be distinguished: (a) The organizational design of the source records and the printing of same.

(b) Preparation of the data by manual transfer to a special key-processing sheet (organizational design as under (a)), or the tedious and time-consuming process of using key-processing instructions.

(c) Manually key-processing the data contained within a record.

(d) Verification and, if required, the reprocessing for correction.

(e) Handling of the records by the keyprocessing operators, and the various transport and waiting periods.

When using the conventional type of mass data collection equipment (for instance key punch, magnetic tape etc.) the key processing of the data and verification takes place in sequence, either in one or two work steps, and, while doing this, a manual, time consuming handling of the records cannot be avoided.

It necessarily follows that conventional data processing equipment of today results in a bottleneck in the data collection and processing process.

The above conventional method of records handling as well as key-processing of information and, if desired or required of succeeding verification in one work step or two consecutive or separated work steps, results in unnecessary delays and costly operations.

Faulty data collection and preparation can occur especially when the verification is performed by the same person who initially key-processed the data. This type of error is usually detected after the computer run and can therefore result in costly errors. In addition, this data must be reprocessed for correction. The danger of erroneous data collection and preparation causes the DP (data processing) personnel to be exposed to a relative high stress situation.

A similar approach as the one described above is used in the case of type setting.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of collecting and organising selected segments of data from a plurality of source records comprising the steps of providing a plurality of source records, each having a plurality of human readable, analog data segments thereon in a known layout; identifying selected ones of the human readable data segments which are to be collected; providing at least one recording apparatus capable of recording a representation reproducable as a viewable image of an object placed within its field of view; positioning a first one of said source documents and the apparatus relative to each other such that portions of the document are within the field of view; successively recording representations of the identified data segments in analog form in a defined sequence on a sequential record from which analog representations of the identified segments can be reproduced as viewable images, such defined sequence being different from and independent of the layout in which the segments appear on the source record, and repeating the step of recordal of representations in said defined sequence on said sequential record from subsequent ones of the source records as they are successively positioned in the field of view of the recording apparatus.

A second aspect of the invention provides apparatus for collecting and organising selected segments of data from each of a plurality of source records, each of the source records having a plurality of human readable data segments thereon in a known layout, such apparatus comprising means for sequentially delivering individual ones of said source records to a recording station; camera means at said recording station, means at said recording station whereby said camera means is operative to form an image of each of a plurality of segments of a source record in the station in a predetermined sequence different from the sequence of the segments on the source record, and record forming means for storing representations of the images of the segments in said predetermined sequence on a sequential record, the representations being such as to be reproducible as viewable images of the segments.

Preferably the apparatus includes means for providing relative movement between said source record and said camera means so that predetermined areas of said source record are brought successively into the field of view of the camera.

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic presentation of an equipment layout for the purpose of data collection and preparation, for use in an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a schematic presentation of a part of an equipment layout for the further preparation/manipulation of data, which connects to the layout of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a schematic presentation of the arrangement of a single work station for the preparation/manipulation of data; FIGURE 4 is a schematic presentation of a double work station; FIGURE 5 is a schematically presented detail of the equipment layout of Figure 1; FIGURE 6 is a schematic side view presentation of a reader device for the purpose of reading the record segments for data collection and processing purposes; FIGURE 7 is a schematic presentation of another type of reader device; FIGURE 8 is a side view of the reader device of Figure 7; FIGURE 9 is a top view of a data collection and identification plate designed as a reader plate; FIGURE 10 is a top view on one of the lamps built into the reader plate according to Figure 9; and FIGURE 11 is a sectional view on the line XIII-XIII in Figure 10.

The equipment configuration shown in Figure 1 for the purpose of data collection and preparation shows source records in a bin 1, which are fed via hopper 2 onto a reader station 3, where under the control of a computer/programme library 4 the data is optically collected in segments by means of, for instance, by illumination of each data segment and TV or Video camera pickup 5, to be temporarily stored on an intermediate record 6. After all desired data segments on the record have been completely collected and stored, the record is fed into a stacker 7. The collection of data segments can also be performed by camera setting alone, by light effects, or by a combination of both.

If automatic microfilming equipment which carries automatic record feeding and stacking is coupled to the reader described below, both microfilming and the operations described below relative to intermediate storage and segmential collection and display could be performed on one work step. The approach does, at the same time, support the trend toward a centralised documentation and filing system, reduces the flood of paper substantially, and increases the value of the data.

The process of storing the data is shown in Figure 5, in detail. On the record 15, data segments 11-14 are illuminated in a predetermined sequence i.e. 11, 12, 13, 14 and coupled with a TV or Video Camera pickup 5. The pictures are taken and stored on a storage medium 6 (intermediate storage) whereby the single data segments are stored in the proper sequence. It is also possible that, aside from the information from a record in form of data segments, the record itself can be stored. Furthermore, it is possible to design the reader station 3 in such a way that instead of selective illumination of segments to be read in a required sequence the TV or Video Camera is built to scan the segments in turn so that each data segment is collected in turn from the source record in the desired sequence. In that case the reader station 3 is only the carrier of the record while the illumination and/or the pickup of the camera 5 replaces the illumination of the reader station 3. A further possibility is a combination of camera pickup to aim at and collect only part of the record, for insance 109c--2001, or more, and to illuminate the segments additionally.

In Figure 2 further processing and preparation of the stored data is shown. The intermediate storage on the sequential record, for instance, video tape 6, is made visible in segments either via a reading station 8, for instance, with refresh memory for increased throughput, or by optical collection and transmission via one or several TV or Video Cameras with refresh memory or refresh disc for direct access to be distributed and displayed to the input stations 9 where the data is keyed and stored in storage 10.

In case of direct collection/processing, the refresh memory disc may also be located at the input station 9. Display may also take place via an arrangement of one or several episcopes and the use of screens. If desired, a further medium 21 may be attached for editing purposes.

The use of this method for key-processing using intermediate storage mediums renders the data collection and preparation independent of the original records of time and of place.

The data collected by the TV or Video Camera 5 may be moved to a storage (buffer) 23 via an analog/digital converter 22, which is also shown in Figure 1. A digital representation of the data segments is thus formed concurrently with the step of forming the optical intermediate sequen tial record and in the same defined sequence.

Coming out of storage 23, the data segments can be processed independently of original records, time, and (to quite an extent) place.

The conversion of the data segments takes place via a digital/analog converter; or, the analog values, without any conversion, are read indirectly (for instance in the case of video scan, OCR data, also known as source data capture). The single work place according to Figure 3 shows the reader 8 for the purpose of displaying to an operator the data segments as viewable images in analogue format from the intermediate storage sequential record 6, whereupon the transmission of the data segments is carried out by manual conversion to digital form via the input station 9 to the digital storage device 10.

In Figure 4, double input stations are shown which permit immediate verification of the key-processed information supplied concurrently to the two input stations 9.

The intermediate storage sequential record 6 and the reading device 8 are of the same type as the equipment for a single input station. A computer 20 provides for the proper distribution of data segments to the input stations 9. From the input stations 9 substantially concurrent key-processing of the data by two key operations and storing of same into the storage medium 10 takes place. A storage for verification purposes 25 permits the immediate detection of errors for immediate correction. In case of erroneous input, the storage for verification purposes displays the error(s) via the screen (in digital format) so that an appropriate correction can be made.

The same principle also applies in the case of a larger number of key-processing stations, as for instance the ones shown in Figure 2. This would be controlled by an operating system. For verification purposes, therefor, the apparatus can comprise at least two control-monitors 9 connected to a comparing storage 25, a keyboard being assigned to each monitor on a screen for reproduction display of the image from the sequential record 6.

The above-described sequence by which data segments of a record can be keyprocessed also permits a simple means of record information security by the transmission of sequenced individual data segments to various input stations for keyprocessing. For instance "name" to input station X, "account number" to input station Y, "amount" to input station Z. The proper sequence of the data is controlled when storing the key-processed data in the storage medium.

In Figures 6 to 8 two versions of an additional type of reader device are shown.

Above the reader device 30 is located the record hopper 31 which is for source records of the same type. Each source record 33 is fed via a feed 32 over the reader device 30.

The reader device can be in the form of either a cylinder or plate. After processing the record 33 is transported to a stacker 35 via a feed which as in the case of feed 32 may include a series of cylinder transports.

In Figure 6, 1800 of the cylinder 36 corresponds to the length of a given source record. The record is moved under the plate 37 and rests on the cylinder 36 (Figures 6 and 7) or plate 361 (Figure 8). Each of the segments 38 of the plate 37 provides an opening 39 as desired. The record 33 is moved under the opening 39 by means of a controlled turning motion of the cylinder, thus displaying the desired data segment. In case of data segments to be collected (lengthwise) which are larger than is provided for by the opening 39, the equipment will set a mark at the end of the part segment which has previously been displayed. Thereupon the remaining data segment or segments are displayed by stepwise horizontal movement of the cylinder or of the segment opening which is carred by the plate under which the record is positioned.

It is also possible to provide the plate 37 with uniform type openings and to illuminate only those data segments which are to be displayed at the work place. The records may also be fed through the vertically located reader plate 30, electronically or tape controlled, whereby the individual data segments are illuminated in the desired sequence.

In Figures 9 to 11 the main element of a reader device which may be used at the reader station 3 is a reader plate 51, which is run under the control of individual programmes stored in a programme library, according to the type of record to be processed. The reader plate 51 is divided into lines and positions by means of which the position of single data can be defined. The lines and positions are illuminated in a programmed sequence by lamps positioned under the reader plate. The record to be read is illuminated linewise and/or position and/or fieldwise by lamps shown in Figures 10 and 11. The lamps 52 may also be positioned above the record, which again is positioned on top of the reader plate 51. The lamps 52 according to Figure 10 show two sources of light 53, located in a socket 54.

The lamp 52 may also be equipped with only one source of light 53 or more than two sources of light 53. The lamps 52 are distributed over the reader plate 51 according to need. As described previously, the use of a TV or Video Camera can be coupled with the above-described illumination.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A method of collecting and organising selected segments of data from a plurality of source records comprising the steps of providing a plurality of source records, each having a plurality of human readable, analog data segments thereon in a known layout; identifying selected ones of the human readable data segments which are to be collected; providing at least one recording apparatus capable of recording a representation reproducable as a viewable image of an object placed within its field of view; positioning a first one of said source documents and the apparatus relative to each other such that portions of the document are within the field of view; success sively recording representations of the identified data segments in analog form in a defined sequence on a sequential record from which analog representations of the identified segments can be reproduced as viewable images, such defined sequence being different from and independent of the layout in which the segments appear on the source record, and repeating the step of recordal of representations in said defined sequence on said sequential record from subsequent ones of the source records as they are successively positioned in the field of view of the recording apparatus.

2. A method according to claim 1, and further including the step of forming a digital representation of each data segment and storing the representations thus formed concurrently with the step of recording the representation which is reproducible as a viewable image and in the same defined sequence.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data segments from the sequential record are sequentially displayed in analog format as viewable images to an operator for manual conversion to digital form for storage.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the same data segments are sequentially displayed from the sequential record as viewable images in analog format concurrently to at least two key operators for substantially concurrent conversion into digital form for storage.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the representations reproducable as viewable images are recorded on a video recording medium as the sequential record.

6. Apparatus for collecting and organising selected segments of data from each of a plurality of source records, each of the source records having a plurality of human readable data segments thereon in a known layout, such apparatus comprising means for sequentially delivering individual ones of said source records to a recording station; camera means at said recording station, means at said recording station whereby said camera means is operative to form an image of each of a plurality of segments of a source record in the station in a predetermined scquence different from the sequence of the segments on the source record, and record forming means for storing representations of the images of the segments in said predetermined sequence on a sequential record, the representations being such as to be reproducible as viewable images of the segments.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, including means for providing relative movement between said source record and said camera means so that predetermined areas of said source record are brouht successively into the field of view of the camera.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means for providing relative movement includes a rotatable drum for receiving and carrying the source records.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein said camera is a video camera and said record forming means is adapted to store the representations of images on a video recording medium.

10. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recordal station comprises a reader plate adapted, in use of the apparatus, to illuminate different segments of a source record in a defined sequence.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. may also be fed through the vertically located reader plate 30, electronically or tape controlled, whereby the individual data segments are illuminated in the desired sequence. In Figures 9 to 11 the main element of a reader device which may be used at the reader station 3 is a reader plate 51, which is run under the control of individual programmes stored in a programme library, according to the type of record to be processed. The reader plate 51 is divided into lines and positions by means of which the position of single data can be defined. The lines and positions are illuminated in a programmed sequence by lamps positioned under the reader plate. The record to be read is illuminated linewise and/or position and/or fieldwise by lamps shown in Figures 10 and 11. The lamps 52 may also be positioned above the record, which again is positioned on top of the reader plate 51. The lamps 52 according to Figure 10 show two sources of light 53, located in a socket 54. The lamp 52 may also be equipped with only one source of light 53 or more than two sources of light 53. The lamps 52 are distributed over the reader plate 51 according to need. As described previously, the use of a TV or Video Camera can be coupled with the above-described illumination. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A method of collecting and organising selected segments of data from a plurality of source records comprising the steps of providing a plurality of source records, each having a plurality of human readable, analog data segments thereon in a known layout; identifying selected ones of the human readable data segments which are to be collected; providing at least one recording apparatus capable of recording a representation reproducable as a viewable image of an object placed within its field of view; positioning a first one of said source documents and the apparatus relative to each other such that portions of the document are within the field of view; success sively recording representations of the identified data segments in analog form in a defined sequence on a sequential record from which analog representations of the identified segments can be reproduced as viewable images, such defined sequence being different from and independent of the layout in which the segments appear on the source record, and repeating the step of recordal of representations in said defined sequence on said sequential record from subsequent ones of the source records as they are successively positioned in the field of view of the recording apparatus.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10,

wherein the reader plate is in a matrix format carrying controllable lamps below or above the plate.

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, and comprising at least two control-monitors connected to a comparing storage, a keyboard being assigned to each monitor and a screen for a reproduction display of the images from the sequential record.

13. A method of collecting data substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. Apparatus for the collection of data constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.