JP4848865B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing equipment to support the document processing.

  With the expansion of IT (Information Technology), data entry work has been outsourced to outside contractors.

  When entrusting input work, generally, a document that is the source of the input work is transmitted as image data to a contractor. In the consignee, an input operation is performed based on the image data.

  However, there is a case where confidential information such as personal information is included in the manuscript, and it is not preferable in terms of security to send the manuscript as it is to the consignee.

  Therefore, a method has been proposed in which the manuscript is divided into a plurality of areas and the image data for each area is transmitted to different vendors so that the input work is distributed to a plurality of vendors. Examples of a system for realizing such a method include those shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 shown below.

  According to Patent Document 1, after reading a medical chart image with a scanner of a customer terminal, the image data is divided into entry fields and sent to the host. The host collects image data in the same entry field for a number of medical charts, and transmits the image data to separate input terminals for each entry field. Thereafter, at each input terminal, the input worker inputs the medical chart.

According to Patent Document 2, the image of the input original slip read by the scanner is divided for each item, and the image image of the item in charge of each item is transmitted to the input operator in charge of input of each item. The input operator performs an input operation using the transmitted image.
JP 2003-91696 A JP 2004-214767 A

  By the way, when entrusting input work, depending on the situation at that time, if there is a need to keep the cost of the input work as low as possible, it may be desired to complete it as soon as possible. When an appropriate input work is performed according to the situation at that time, the work related to the input work becomes efficient as a whole.

  The conventional method as described above supports the sorting work itself by automatically allocating the input work to the outsourcer, but it is insufficient to improve the efficiency of the work related to the input work as a whole.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of such problems, the present invention has an object to make it possible to improve the efficiency of the work related to the processing as a whole when the processing is outsourced to a subcontractor.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores document processing performer data for a document processing performer who performs document processing, which is a process of creating data based on the content of the document, and a reading unit that reads the document. An image dividing unit that divides the original image of the read original into divided images for each unit area that can be entrusted to the original processing consignee of the original, and the original processing and the user specified for the divided image Determining means for determining, based on user condition data indicating conditions, the consignee for the divided image from among the manuscript processing performers of the manuscript processing performer data stored in the storage unit; Transmitting means for transmitting the divided image to the subcontractor determined for the divided image, and performing original processing on error data relating to an error regarding original processing. An error receiving means for receiving from the consignees, if the user has a display for displaying the condition specifying screen for specifying the user condition data, said error receiving means receives the error data, wherein The display notifies the user that the error data has been transmitted, and allows the user to select whether the user himself or herself will entrust the manuscript processing person with the manuscript processing relating to the error, When the error receiving unit receives the error data, the divided image related to the error data is stored in the storage unit based on a condition specified by the user. The consignee is determined from the performers and transmitted to the determined consignee.

  Preferably, one or a plurality of document processes are associated with the area, and the determination unit associates a plurality of document processes with each other prior to determining the entrustee. For the region, one document processing is determined from the plurality of document processing based on the user condition data, and the determined document processing is used as the document processing for the divided image related to the region. The contractor for the above is determined.

  Preferably, the condition indicated in the user condition data includes a fee condition relating to a fee, and the determining means determines the consignee for each of the divided images so as to satisfy the fee condition.

  Preferably, the condition indicated in the user condition data includes a delivery date condition relating to delivery date, and the determining means determines the consignee for each of the divided images so as to satisfy the delivery date condition.

  Preferably, the document processing includes first document processing automatically performed by the apparatus and second document processing performed by a human input operation, and the image processing apparatus includes the first document processing. Error receiving means for receiving error data relating to an error from the consignee that has performed the first document processing, and when the error receiving means receives the error data, the division relating to the error data The image is transmitted to the entrustee who can perform the second document processing.

  Note that the second manuscript processing performed by a person's input operation refers to the person who uses the input device such as a keyboard or a mouse with respect to the terminal device used by the person based on the contents while viewing the contents of the manuscript. It is to create data by doing input work by yourself.

  Preferably, an identification ID for identifying the divided image is given to the divided image, and the image processing apparatus receives the result of the document processing and the identification ID of the divided image related to the document processing. A result data receiving means for receiving the result data, a generating means for generating a processed document image from the result data based on the identification ID included in the result data received by the result data receiving means, and the processed data A processed document image transmitting means for transmitting the processed document image to the client terminal of the client who has requested the transmission of the document image; and when the processed document image is transmitted to the client, Charging data registration updating means for registering or updating charging data.

  When consigning processing to a consignee, the work related to the processing can be made more efficient as a whole than before.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a document processing support system 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel 20h.

  In FIG. 1, a document processing support system 1 according to the present invention is a system for supporting a process of creating data (document processing) based on the contents of a document. The manuscript processing is, for example, that, when a questionnaire is performed, an answer shown on a collected questionnaire form (original) is input to a personal computer or the like, and data indicating the answer is created. Alternatively, the answer shown on the answer sheet (manuscript) collected when the test is performed is scored, and the result of the scoring (scoring result) is input to create data indicating the scoring result. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, an example of performing document processing for a test performed at a school or the like will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document processing support system 1 includes an image processing device 2, a trader terminal 3, an OCR processing server 4a, a mark sheet processing server 4b, a student terminal 5, and the like. They are connected to each other via a network NW. The network NW is a public line, a dedicated line, the Internet, an intranet, a WAN, a LAN, or a combination thereof.

  Hereinafter, the trader terminal 3 may be described separately as “a trader terminal 3a”, “a trader terminal 3b”,..., And the student terminal 4 as “student terminal 4a”, “student terminal 4b”,. The same applies to the other symbols below.

  The image processing apparatus 2 is an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) and is installed in a school staff room or the like. The image processing apparatus 2 is used for scoring the test after the test is performed at the school. Specifically, after the test is completed, a user such as a teacher collects the answer sheet and causes the scanner 20e installed in the image processing apparatus 2 to read it. Then, the image processing apparatus 2 divides the read image data of the answer sheet for each predetermined area, and distributes the divided image data to each manuscript processing person who performs manuscript processing for the test. And the data of the result of the test scoring performed on the manuscript processing person side is received.

  Further, the image processing apparatus 2 notifies the student or the parent of the grade, and performs charge management for the notification. When notifying the grade, data indicating the grade is transmitted to the student terminal 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 2 includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a ROM 20c, a hard disk 20d, a scanner 20e, a printing apparatus 20f, a communication interface 20g, an operation panel 20h, a control circuit 20i, and the like.

  Programs and data for realizing the functions of the respective units as shown in FIG. 3 are installed in the hard disk 20d. These programs and data are read to the RAM 20b as necessary. Then, the program is executed by the CPU 20a. Some or all of these programs and data may be stored in the ROM 20c. Alternatively, part or all of the functions shown in FIG. 3 may be realized by the control circuit 20i.

  The scanner 20e is an apparatus that optically reads an image such as a photograph, a character, a picture, or a chart drawn on a document sheet to generate image data.

  The printing device 20f is a device that prints an image on paper according to a user's designation or the like based on image data obtained by the scanner 20e or image data transmitted from another device.

  The communication interface 20g is a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a modem for communicating with other devices.

  The operation panel 20h is an input device for the user to make various settings to the image processing apparatus 2 and give commands such as printing. The operation panel 20 h is provided with a touch panel display TP and a plurality of operation buttons SB as shown in FIG. 2, and the user operates these to input to the image processing apparatus 2.

  The control circuit 20i is a circuit for controlling devices such as the hard disk 20d, the scanner 20e, the printing device 20f, the communication interface 20g, and the operation panel 20h.

  The trader terminal 3 is a terminal device used by a substitute trader who is a manuscript processing performer who performs the test scoring on behalf of the tester. The trader terminal 3 receives image data indicating the content of the test answer from the image processing apparatus 2. In the agency, the person in charge of scoring (the person in charge of scoring) scores the answer shown in the image data. At that time, the partial points are calculated based on a scoring standard designated in advance. Create commentary or comments as needed. The scoring results and explanations are transmitted from the dealer terminal 3 to the image processing apparatus 2. Hereinafter, the manuscript processing in the case where the scoring person (person) scores in this way will be particularly referred to as “manual processing”.

  The dealer terminals 3a, b,... Are installed in the offices of the agency traders A, B,.

  The OCR processing server 4a and the mark sheet processing server 4b are a personal computer, a workstation, or an MFP installed in a school staff room or the like together with the image processing apparatus 2.

  These receive image data indicating the contents of a test answer from the image processing apparatus 2 and perform a process of automatically scoring the answer (automatic process). In this embodiment, the OCR processing server 4a performs automatic processing using an OCR (Optical Character Reader), and the mark sheet processing server 4b performs automatic processing of mark sheets by a conventional method. Hereinafter, such document processing is referred to as “OCR automatic processing” and “mark sheet automatic processing”, respectively.

  In the OCR automatic processing and the mark sheet automatic processing, the answer included in the image data is automatically recognized by a function such as OCR, and the score is obtained by collating with the correct answer data prepared in advance. The OCR processing server 4a and the mark sheet processing server 4b transmit scoring result data to the image processing apparatus 2 after performing automatic processing.

  Hereinafter, the OCR processing server 4a and the mark sheet processing server 4b may be collectively referred to as “automatic processing server 4”.

  The student terminal 5 is a terminal device such as a personal computer, a workstation, a PDA, or a mobile phone used by a school student or a parent. The students and their parents can use the student terminal 5 to view the test results or results sent from the image processing apparatus 2.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2, FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the flow of data until scoring is completed, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the agency table TLD. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a performance table TLR, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a student table TLG, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a grade notification management table TLT, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen FF. 10 is a diagram showing an example of answer sheet TY, FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining divided answer image data DV, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a condition designation screen FC, and FIG. 13 is a diagram of scored answer image data DZ. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example, and FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining automatic processing result data DJ and manual processing result data DM.

  Next, the contents of the processing of each unit shown in FIG. 3 will be described by taking as an example a case where a test is performed at a certain junior high school Z and the image processing apparatus 2 is used for scoring. Also, the step number of the process shown in FIG. 4 is described in the description corresponding to the process.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing apparatus 2 includes a divided answer image data storage unit 201, an agent data storage unit 202, an automatic processing server data storage unit 203, an answer data storage unit 204, a student data storage unit 205, and a scoring result. Data storage unit 206, graded answer image data storage unit 207, results notification management data storage unit 208, command reception unit 209, answer image data acquisition unit 210, answer image data division unit 211, entrustee determination unit 212, data transmission processing Unit 213, scoring result data receiving unit 214, error processing unit 215, graded answer image data generation unit 216, results notification processing unit 217, results data transmitting unit 218, results notification management data updating unit 219, results data updating unit 220, And a result data transmission unit 221 and the like.

  The divided answer image data storage unit 201 stores the divided answer image data DV generated by the answer image data dividing unit 211 described later.

  The agency data storage unit 202 saves data about an agency that is a manuscript processing person who performs manual processing. Specifically, the agency table TLD shown in FIG. 5 is stored. In the agency company table TLD, agency agency data DD for the agency is stored for each agency. This agent data DD is registered when the agent transmits its agent data DD to the image processing apparatus 2. Alternatively, a teacher of junior high school Z or the like may be registered in the image processing apparatus 2 in advance. Here, each item of the agency company table TLD will be described.

  In FIG. 5, “Name” indicates the name of the agency. “Address” indicates the IP address of the agency terminal of the agency. An e-mail address may be used instead of the IP address.

  “Subject” indicates a subject that the agency can substitute for scoring. Or it is good also as a subject whose agency is good at scoring. If “all” is shown in this item, it means that the agency is performing scoring for all subjects in Japanese, mathematics, society, science, and English.

  “Unit price” indicates a fee when the agent processes a predetermined amount of jobs, for example, 100 jobs. “Delivery date” indicates a delivery date when the agency processes 100 jobs, for example. The scoring of one question may be counted as one job, or the scoring for one divided answer image data DV described later may be counted as one job.

  Further, the agency service data storage unit 202 stores a performance table TLR shown in FIG. The performance table TLR stores performance data DR indicating the performance of document processing that has been performed by the agency in the past for each agency. As shown in FIG. 6, this performance data DR is an average (average processing) of values obtained by converting the name of the agent and the number of days it takes for the agent to deliver after receiving the scoring out of scoring. Days), and the number of points scored in the past (number of processed cases).

  In addition, it is possible to manage the payment of the fee to the agency using this result table TLR. For example, the fee to be paid to the agency is determined according to the number of cases indicated in the item “number of processing cases”. Then, when the payment of the fee is completed, the “number of processing cases” is initialized to “0”.

  The automatic processing server data storage unit 203 stores automatic processing server data DY for the automatic processing server 4 that is a manuscript processing person who performs automatic processing. The automatic processing server data DY includes the IP address of the corresponding automatic processing server 4 and indicates whether the automatic processing server 4 can perform the OCR automatic processing or the mark sheet automatic processing.

  In the present embodiment, automatic processing server data DYa and automatic processing server data DYb for the OCR processing server 4a are stored, and each indicates performing OCR automatic processing and mark sheet automatic processing.

  The answer data storage unit 204 stores answer data DA for answers to each test performed at the junior high school Z, scoring standard data DK indicating a scoring standard for each test, and the like. The answer data DA and the scoring reference data DK are stored in association with the test number NT of the corresponding test. This “test number NT” will be described in detail later.

  The student data storage unit 205 stores the student table TLG shown in FIG. In the student table TLG, student data DG about students enrolled in the junior high school Z is stored for each student by the user. This student data DG shows the student's student ID number, name, address, telephone number, destination address, and the like. An electronic mail address is used as the destination address. Alternatively, the IP address of the student terminal 5 of the student may be used.

  The scoring result data storage unit 206 stores automatic processing result data DJ and manual processing result data DM received by a scoring result data receiving unit 214 described later.

  The scored answer image data storage unit 207 stores scored answer image data DZ generated by a scored answer image data generation unit 216 described later.

  The result notification management data storage unit 208 stores a result notification management table TLT as shown in FIG. The students of the junior high school Z and their parents can request the junior high school Z in advance to notify the grades such as the test results. When such a request is made, the student's student ID number, the test number NT of the requested test, and the grade notification management data DT indicating the fee for the notification service are registered in the grade notification management table TLT. The Here, the test number NT is a number for identifying a test. By this test number NT, it is possible to identify the number of times of which subject.

  The fee is input when the grade is notified. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 8, the grade notification management data DT1 and DT3 students have already been notified of grades, and the grade notification management data DT2, DT4, and DT5 students are still notified. It is not done.

  The command receiving unit 209 receives a command given to the image processing apparatus 2 by the user using the operation panel 20h.

  When the test is completed, the teacher at the junior high school Z collects the answer sheet and uses the image processing apparatus 2 to perform the scoring operation. In this work, first, an initial screen FF shown in FIG. 9 displayed on the display TP is operated.

  In FIG. 9, the initial screen FF includes a document reading start button BT1, a document reading end button BT2, and a number display text box TX. The user sets an answer sheet, which is a document to be read, on the scanner 20e, and presses a reading start button BT1. Then, the image processing apparatus 2 reads (scans) the set answer sheet. The scanner 20e can continuously read a plurality of set originals.

  When all the collected answer sheets have been read, the user presses the document reading end button BT2.

  In the copy number display text box TX, the number of originals (answer sheets) read by the scanner 20e from when the original reading start button BT1 is pressed until the original reading end button BT2 is pressed is displayed. Thus, the user confirms that the read number is correct.

  In the middle school Z, an answer sheet TY as shown in FIG. 10 is used as an answer sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the answer sheet TY is divided for each divided area AR, which is a unit area in which scoring can be entrusted. In the example of FIG. 10, in this divided area AR, a divided area AR1 which is an area where the subject name of the test is shown, a divided area AR2 where the name of the student and the test number NT are shown, and an answer column KR3 of “calculation question” A divided area AR3 including an answer column KR4 for "sentence question 1", a divided area AR5 including a mark entry field KR5 for a mark sheet, and a divided area AR6 including an answer column KR6 for "sentence question 2". It is. It should be noted that in the margins included in the divided area AR4 and the divided area AR6, a calculation formula in the middle until the answer is derived is entered by the student. When scoring, partial points are calculated by this formula. Hereinafter, these divided areas AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4, AR5, and AR6 may be collectively referred to as “divided areas AR”. Similarly, the other numbers may be described with the serial numbers attached to the symbols omitted.

  The divided areas AR3, AR4, AR5, and AR6 include mark entry fields MR3, MR4, MR5, and MR6, respectively. In this mark entry field MR, a document processing mark (document processing mark) for scoring the answer in the divided area AR is shown. In this embodiment, “Own I” indicates a mark sheet automatic processing area, “Own II” indicates an OCR automatic processing area, and “Ma I” performs manual processing (non-automatic processing). Although it is preferable, a mark indicating an area that can be scored by OCR automatic processing, and “MA II” is a mark indicating an area to be scored by manual processing.

  “Area that is preferably processed manually but can also be scored by automatic OCR processing” means, for example, that it is preferable to calculate partial points or add explanations, but in some cases it is not necessary It is an area about good problems. When calculating a partial point, scoring is performed by manual processing, and when not calculating the partial point, scoring is performed by OCR automatic processing.

  Note that pictures, numbers, characters, QR codes, or the like can also be used as document processing marks.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the scanner 20e reads the answer sheet TY, the answer image data acquisition unit 210 acquires the answer image data DP of the answer sheet TY from the scanner 20e (# 101 in FIG. 4).

  The answer image data dividing unit 211 divides the answer image data DP acquired by the answer image data acquiring unit 210 into divided answer image data DV that is image data for each divided area AR as shown in FIG. 11 (FIG. 4). # 102). At this time, for example, a boundary line that divides each divided area AR is extracted, and the answer image data DP is divided based on the boundary line. Alternatively, the coordinates of the vertexes of each divided area AR may be registered in advance, and the answer image data DP may be divided according to the coordinates.

  Further, the answer image data dividing unit 211 allocates identification information RE to each divided answer image data DV and stores the identification information RE in the divided answer image data storage unit 201. In the present embodiment, the identification information RE is used for the divided answer image data DV1, DV2,..., DV6 for the first (initially read) answer sheet TY, “1-1”, “ “1-2”,..., “1-6”, and “2-1” for the divided answer image data DV7, DV8,..., DV12 for the second (second read) answer sheet TY. , “2-2”,..., “2-6”. That is, identification information RE in which a number (original number) indicating the answer sheet TY is allocated on the left side of “-(hyphen)” and a number (area number) indicating the divided area AR is allocated on the right side. As a result, it is possible to determine which divided area AR of which answer sheet TY the divided answer image data DV corresponds to.

  At the time of division, each divided answer image data DV is associated with a corresponding test number NT. For example, the test number NT is embedded in the header portion of the divided answer image data DV. Alternatively, a table indicating the correspondence between the identification information RE of each divided answer image data DV and the test number NT is created and stored.

  When the user presses the document reading end button BT2 on the initial screen FF, a condition designation screen FC as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display TP. The user designates a condition when the image processing apparatus 2 determines a scoring outsource (scoring outsource) on the condition designation screen FC.

  In FIG. 12, the condition designation screen FC includes a check box CB, radio buttons RB1, RB2, and an execution button BTR. The check box CB is associated with an item of a condition “manual processing priority”, and the user designates the condition by checking this.

  The radio buttons RB1 and RB2 are associated with the items of the conditions “cost priority” and “delivery priority”, respectively, and the user selects either of the radio buttons RB1 or RB2 by selecting one of them. Specify the condition. Here, these conditions will be described.

  “Manual processing priority” indicates a condition that a proxy agent that is a manuscript processing performer who performs manual processing as a scoring outsourcing destination is selected in preference to the automatic processing server 4.

  “Cost priority” indicates a condition that a scoring outsourcing destination is determined so that the cost for scoring out of scoring can be kept as low as possible.

  “Delivery priority” indicates a condition that a scoring outsourcer is determined so that all scoring can be completed as soon as possible.

  When the user specifies conditions on the condition specifying screen FC and presses the execute button BTR, the entrustee determination unit 212 in FIG. 3 acquires the agent data DD, the actual data DR, and the automatic processing server data DY, An appropriate scoring outsourcer is determined based on the contents indicated in the data and the conditions specified by the user.

  Here, a process of determining a scoring entrustee will be described by taking as an example a case where the test number is “2006001” (the first mathematical test in 2006).

  When determining the scoring entrustee, first, the entrustee determining unit 212 acquires the divided answer image data DV stored in association with the test number NT of “2006001” from the divided answer image data storage unit 201. Then, based on whether or not the check box CB is checked on the condition designation screen FC, the obtained divided answer image data DV is divided into a target for automatic processing and a target for manual processing.

  When the check box CB is not checked, that is, when the “manual processing priority” condition is not specified, the original processing marks of “Own I”, “Own II”, and “Ma I” are indicated. The answer image data DV is distributed as an automatic processing target. The divided answer image data DV showing the “MA II” manuscript processing mark is distributed as an object of manual processing.

  Then, the scoring entrustee for the divided answer image data DV distributed as an automatic processing target is determined as follows.

  First, the scoring entrustee of the divided answer image data DV for “self I” and “ma I” is determined from the manuscript processing performers who perform the OCR automatic processing based on the automatic processing server data DY. In the present embodiment, the OCR processing server 4a is determined as the scoring entrustee. Similarly, the mark sheet processing server 4b that performs automatic mark sheet processing is determined as the scoring entrustee of the divided answer image data DV for “Own II”. The determination of the scoring entrustee of the divided answer image data DV distributed as the manual processing target will be described later.

  When the check box CB is selected, that is, when the “manual processing priority” condition is specified, the divided answer image data DV indicating the manuscript processing marks “MA I” and “MA II” is manually processed. Sort as a target. Further, the divided answer image data DV indicating the original processing marks of “Own I” and “Own II” is distributed as an automatic processing target.

  Then, the scoring entrustee for the divided answer image data DV distributed as the target of automatic processing is determined.

  First, the scoring entrustee of the divided answer image data DV for “Own I” is determined from the manuscript processing performers who perform the OCR automatic processing based on the automatic processing server data DY. In the present embodiment, the OCR processing server 4a is determined as the scoring entrustee. Similarly, the mark sheet processing server 4b that performs automatic mark sheet processing is determined as the scoring entrustee of the divided answer image data DV for “Own II”.

  Next, the scoring entrustee of the divided answer image data DV distributed as the target of manual processing is determined.

  This determination is made based on which of the radio buttons RB1 or RB2 has been selected on the condition designation screen FC.

  When the radio button RB1 is selected, the agent is selected according to the “cost priority” condition so that the cost is as low as possible. In this case, first, the agent table TLD of the agent supplier data storage unit 202 is referred to, and the agent “Mathematics” in the item “subject” is assigned to the agent agent data DD of the agent who has given the “Mathematics” scoring. Alternatively, the agency service data DD indicating “all” is extracted. Further, agent service data DD in which the cheapest charge is set in the item “unit price” is extracted, and the agent is determined as a scoring agent.

  When the radio button RB2 is selected, an agent is selected according to the “delivery priority” condition so that the test scoring can be completed as soon as possible. At this time, first, the agency data DD of the agency acting on behalf of the “math” scoring is extracted. Then, the agent data DD having the shortest number of days indicated in the item “Delivery date” is extracted from the agent data DD, and the agent is determined as the scoring agent.

  However, the number of days shown here is the delivery date per 100 cases. Therefore, when the number of cases exceeding 100 cases is entrusted to one agency, the delivery date is at least twice that number of days. Therefore, when the number of scoring exceeds 100, the delivery time as a whole may be faster when the contract is distributed to a plurality of contractors.

  In such a case, the consignee determination unit 212 selects an agent so that the entire delivery date is the shortest. For example, if the number of scoring is 300, the first 100 scoring of agency agent D with the shortest delivery time among agency agents scoring “math” from agency agent table TLD. Decide as a contractor. Further, for the next 100 cases, the agent F having the shortest delivery date after the agent D is determined as a scoring agent.

  For the last 100 cases, the agency A, B, or E who is scoring all subjects is a candidate for scoring outsourcing. The delivery times for these agents are all “4 days”. In such a case, the “average number of processing days” in the result table TLR is referred to, and the one with the shortest average number of days actually taken for delivery in the past results is determined as the scoring outsource. In the example of FIG. 5, the agent A having the shortest “average processing days” among the agents A, B, and E is determined as the scoring agent.

  Or you may make it entrust each agent A, B, and E so that the number of cases may become as equal as possible, without referring to the performance table TLR. For example, 34 cases are entrusted to the agency A, 33 cases to the agency B, and 33 cases to the agency E.

  Alternatively, the last 100 cases may be additionally entrusted to the agency D with the shortest delivery date. That is, in this case, the first 100 cases and the last 100 cases are entrusted to the agency D.

  In addition, the scoring outsourcing destination may be determined using only the agency table TLD or only the performance table TLR. It is possible to determine a scoring outsourcer by various other methods.

  The data transmission processing unit 213 performs processing for transmitting each divided answer image data DV to the scoring entrustee determined by the entrustee determination unit 208 for each divided answer image data DV (# in FIG. 4). 103). Such processing is performed as follows, for example.

  First, the divided answer image data DV transmitted to the same scoring outsourcer are grouped into one group. For one of the groups, the answer data DA and scoring reference data DK necessary for scoring the divided answer image data DV included therein are acquired. The answer data DA and scoring reference data DK are acquired based on the test number NT associated with the divided answer image data DV.

  Further, the divided answer image data DV included in the group and the answer data DA and scoring reference data DK acquired for the divided answer image data DV are aggregated. For example, they are consolidated by compressing them into one file.

  The aggregated plan image data DV, answer data DA, and scoring reference data DK are transmitted to the scoring consignee.

  As the destination address, in the case of the automatic processing server 4, the IP address indicated in the automatic processing server data DY is used. In the case of an agency, the IP address of the agency terminal 3 indicated in the agency data DD is used.

  Each automatic processing server 4 that has received the divided answer image data DV automatically recognizes the answer shown in the divided answer image data DV and collates it with the answer shown in the answer data DA transmitted together with the divided answer image data DV. To score. When scoring is completed for all the divided answer image data DV received, automatic processing result data DJ, which is data obtained by adding the score of the answer of the divided answer image data DV to the divided answer image data DV, is obtained for each divided answer image data DV. And transmitted to the image processing apparatus 2 (# 111 and # 112 in FIG. 4).

  In the automatic process, an error may occur during the process, and it may not be possible to continue the scoring process for the divided answer image data DV that is the target of the error. When an error occurs in this way, the automatic processing server 4 generates error notification data DE including the identification information RE of the divided answer image data DV and the fact that an error has occurred, and transmits it to the image processing apparatus 2.

  On the other hand, in the agency of the trader terminal 3 that has received the divided answer image data DV, the scoring staff scores the answer shown in the divided answer image data DV. At that time, based on the scoring standard shown in the scoring standard data DK transmitted together with the divided answer image data DV, the partial points are calculated and scored as necessary. In addition, add commentary or comments as necessary.

  When scoring is completed for all the divided answer image data DV received, manual processing result data DM, which is image data obtained by adding the score and explanation of the answer of the divided answer image data DV to the divided answer image data DV, is obtained as the divided answer. Each image data DV is generated and transmitted to the image processing apparatus 2 (# 113 and # 114 in FIG. 4).

  The automatic processing result data DJ and the manual processing result data DM include the identification information RE of the divided answer image data DV that is the generation source.

  The scoring result data receiving unit 214 receives automatic processing result data DJ, error notification data DE, and manual processing result data DM transmitted from each scoring outsourcer. When the automatic processing result data DJ or the manual processing result data DM is received, they are stored in the scoring result data storage unit 206.

  When the scoring result data receiving unit 214 receives the error notification data DE, the error processing unit 215 receives the error notification data DE, and again delegates the scoring of the divided answer image data DV related to the error to the scoring outsourcer Process to do. Such processing is performed as follows.

  First, the divided answer image data DV of the identification information RE indicated in the error notification data DE and the answer data DA for the divided answer image data DV are obtained from the divided answer image data storage unit 201 and the answer data storage unit 204, respectively. Then, in the same manner as the outsourcing destination determination unit 212, an appropriate scoring outsourcing destination is determined from the outsourcing agents registered in the outsourcing agent table TLD based on the conditions specified by the user. Then, the divided answer image data DV and the answer data DA are collected and transmitted to the determined scoring entrustee.

  Alternatively, the user is notified by the display TP that the error notification data DE has been transmitted, and the user can select whether the user himself or herself scores the answer relating to the error or entrusts the agency to the scoring. Good.

  Further, the scoring reference data DK may be acquired from the answer data storage unit 204 as necessary and transmitted together with the divided answer image data DV and the like.

  The scored answer image data generation unit 216 generates scored answer image data DZ as shown in FIG. 13 and stores it in the scored answer image data storage unit 207 (# 121 in FIG. 4). Such processing is performed as follows.

  First, automatic processing result data DJ and manual processing result data DM of identification information RE of the same document number are acquired from the scoring result data storage unit 206 at a predetermined timing. Further, the divided answer image data DV having the document number identification information RE is extracted from the divided answer image data storage unit 201, and the divided answer image data DV for the divided areas AR1 and AR2 is acquired from the extracted portion.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 14, image data corresponding to the divided areas AR1 to AR6 is acquired. FIG. 14 is an example of the first answer sheet TY.

  In FIG. 14, the score PT indicates the score added to the divided answer image data DV related to the scoring at the time of manuscript processing at the automatic processing server 4 or the agency. The comment CM indicates a comment added to the divided answer image data DV related to the scoring at the time of scoring by the agency.

  The total point PA is a total point of the points PT3, PT4, PT5, and PT6. It is calculated and added when the divided answer image data DV is acquired.

  Then, scored answer image data DZ as shown in FIG. 13 is generated by combining (merging) each divided answer image data DV, automatic process result data DJ, and manual process result data DM. That is, image data is generated by reconfiguring the form of the answer sheet TY with the result of scoring added.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the automatic processing result data DJ and the manual processing result data DM are image data as shown in FIG. 14 is shown, but these are points PT, comment CM, identification information RE, etc. Text format data including In this case, the divided answer image data DV having the corresponding document number identification information RE from the divided answer image data storage unit 201 is acquired and recombined, and automatic processing result data DJ having the original number identification information RE and The scored answer image data DZ is generated by adding the score TP or the comment CM indicated in the manual processing result data DM to the corresponding divided answer image data DV based on the identification information RE.

  The grade notification processing unit 217 performs the process for notifying the student who has requested the grade notification as follows.

  First, the grade notification management table TLT is referred to at a predetermined timing, and the test number NT of the test for which the grade notification is requested is extracted. Further, it is confirmed whether or not the scoring of the test indicated by the test number NT has already been completed, that is, whether or not the scored answer image data DZ for the test has already been generated.

  If the graded answer image data DZ has been generated, the graded answer image data DZ for the student who requested the grade notification is acquired from the graded answer image data storage unit 207, and the grade data DS is generated based on the graded answer image data DZ To do. Then, the grade data transmission unit 218 is instructed to send the grade data DS generated to the student terminal 5 of the student. In parallel with or before or after this, the grade notification management data update unit 219 is instructed to update the grade notification management data DT related to the request.

  The graded answer image data DZ may be used as it is as the grade data DS, or data indicating the test number NT and the score may be used as the grade data DS. In addition, various data can be used as the result data DS.

  The grade data transmission unit 218 attaches the grade data DS to the e-mail and transmits it to the student terminal 5 based on an instruction from the grade notification processing unit 217. The transmission destination e-mail address is acquired from the student table TLG based on the student ID number notified from the grade notification processing unit 217.

  When the grade notification management data update unit 219 notifies the student of the grade, the grade notification management data update unit 219 performs processing for charging the notice. That is, the result notification management data DT of the result notification management table TLT is updated so that the amount of the notification is indicated in the item “charge” of the result notification management data DT related to the notification.

  When the scoring result data receiving unit 214 receives the manual processing result data DM, the result data updating unit 220 aggregates the number of cases processed by the agent that has transmitted the manual processing result data DM and updates the result data DR.

  That is, the sum of the number of requests made to the agency this time and the value indicated by the “number of cases” of the agency performance data DR is obtained, and the value of the “number of cases” of the achievement data DR is replaced with the obtained value. .

  Further, the number of days from when the divided answer image data DV is transmitted to the agency until the agency sends the manual processing result data DM is calculated, and the “average processing days” of the performance data DR is calculated based on the number of days. Update the value of.

  The record data transmission unit 221 transmits the record data DR updated by the record data update unit 220 to the agency terminal 3 of the agency related to the record data DR. In the agency, the number of cases processed by the agency and the average number of days until delivery can be confirmed by the result data DR.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the overall processing flow of the image processing apparatus 2 when commissioning test document processing, FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of scoring commission destination determination processing, and FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of an agency selection process.

  Hereinafter, the flow of processing of the image processing apparatus 2 when commissioning test scoring will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  After the test, when the user sets the collected answer sheet TY on the scanner 20e and instructs to start reading, the scanner 20e scans the set answer sheet TY (# 201 in FIG. 15).

  The image processing apparatus 2 divides and stores the answer image data DP of the answer sheet TY read by the scanner 20e for each divided answer image data DV (# 202). When the user performs a predetermined operation such as specifying a condition for determining a test grading contractor, the image processing apparatus 2 performs a process (scoring contractor determination process) for determining a grading contractor. Start (# 203).

  In the scoring entrustee determination process of FIG. 16, first, the one with the same test number NT is read from the stored divided answer image data DV (# 221). At this time, the document numbers in the identification information RE are read in order of area numbers. Alternatively, the document numbers may be read in order of the area numbers.

  Further, the subject is determined from the test number NT (# 222). Here, it is assumed that the subject is “mathematics”.

  The original processing mark in the mark entry field MR included in the divided answer image data DV is automatically recognized (# 223).

  The OCR processing server 4a is determined as the scoring consignee for the divided answer image data DV of the divided area AR whose document processing mark is “Own I”, and the divided answer image data DV of the divided area AR of “Own II” is determined. The scoring entrustee is determined to be the mark sheet processing server 4b (# 224).

  Next, the conditions for determining the scoring entrustee are determined (# 225). When the “manual processing priority” condition is not specified (“No” in # 225), the original processing of the divided answer image data DV in the divided area AR whose original processing marks are “Ma I” and “Ma II”. Are determined to be manual processing (# 226).

  When the condition of “manual processing priority” is specified (“Yes” in # 225), the scoring entrustee of the divided answer image data DV in the divided area AR whose document processing mark is “Ma I” is set as the OCR processing server. 4a is determined (# 227). Then, the original processing of the divided answer image data DV in the divided area AR whose original processing mark is “MA II” is determined to be manual processing (# 228).

  After Step # 226 or Step # 228, a process for selecting a scoring outsourcer of the divided answer image data DV of the divided area AR determined in the manual process from the agent registered in the agent table TLD (agent selection) Process) (# 229).

  In the agency selection process of FIG. 17, first, agency agency data DD of the agency that is scoring “math” is extracted from the agency table TLD (# 241).

  Next, when “cost priority” is designated as the condition for determining the scoring outsourcer (“cost” in # 242), the agent with the lowest unit price out of the one extracted in step # 241 is selected as the scoring outsourcer. (# 423).

  When the “delivery date priority” condition is specified (“delivery date” in # 242), the agent with the shortest delivery date is selected from those extracted in step # 241 (# 244), and FIG. The scoring agent for the first 100 divided answer image data DV read in step # 221 is determined to be the agency (# 245).

  If there is a divisional answer image data DV read in step # 221 of FIG. 16 for which the scoring entrustee has not yet been determined (“No” in # 246), the processing from step # 244 is repeated. It should be noted that the processing after step # 244 is performed for agents other than those that have already been determined as scoring consignees.

  When the scoring entrustee is determined for all of the divided answer image data DV that have been read (“Yes” in # 246), the agency selection process is terminated.

  Returning to FIG. 15, each divided answer image data DV is transmitted to the scoring entrustee determined for each (# 204).

  The scoring consignee who has received the divided answer image data DV scores the answer shown in the divided answer image data DV. After scoring, automatic processing result data DJ or manual processing result data DM indicating the result of scoring is transmitted from the scoring outsource to the image processing apparatus 2.

  When the automatic processing result data DJ and the manual processing result data DM are received (# 205), the image processing apparatus 2 regards the agency that has transmitted the manual processing result data DM, the number of cases processed by the agency, and from commissioning to delivery. The result data DR is updated by counting the number of days (# 206).

  Using the received automatic processing result data DJ and manual processing result data DM, scored answer image data DZ, which is image data in which a scoring result is added to the answer image data DP, is generated and stored (box storage) ( # 207).

  The graded answer image data DZ is transmitted to the student terminal 5 of the student who has been requested to notify the test result in advance (# 208).

  In addition, by reading the score shown in the graded answer image data DZ generated in step # 207, total data for the scoring results is generated for each student and for each subject, and the data is transmitted to the student terminal 5. You may make it do. Alternatively, the result of the aggregation may be printed out and transmitted to the student's home or the like by FAX.

  Further, the result data DR, which is the total result of the scoring of each agency, is transmitted to each agency (# 209). The agent confirms the number of processing cases and the average number of processing days based on the result data DR.

  In the present embodiment, an example is given in which a test is scored as document processing, but the document processing support system 1 according to the present embodiment can be applied to various other document processing. For example, the present invention can be applied to manuscript processing for an internal health survey questionnaire.

  By the way, manuscript processing can only be handled manually (non-automatic processing), can be handled by automatic processing, can be handled by automatic processing, but is preferably handled manually by human, There are various things that cannot be handled by this device.

  Further, users who perform document processing have various needs (manual processing priority, cost priority, delivery date priority, etc.) according to the situation at that time, and take the above-mentioned characteristics of document processing into consideration. In some cases, such a need can be satisfied.

  However, without considering such features and needs, if the document processing is fixedly distributed to a predetermined contractor as in the past, it may take unnecessary time in some cases. It may be costly or costly, and the overall efficiency of the business may be reduced when time and costs are considered comprehensively.

  According to the embodiment, it is possible to automatically distribute document processing to an appropriate outsourcing destination in consideration of the characteristics of document processing and according to user needs. As a result, the work related to the manuscript processing can be made efficient as a whole.

  With the expansion of IT, BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) movements such as entrusting specific work such as input processing of documents containing personal information to external specialized companies together with information systems are becoming popular. . Under such circumstances, the effectiveness of the document processing support system 1 according to the present embodiment is high.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining another example of the divided answer image data DV.

  In the example of FIG. 18, the division answer image data DV12 that is a target for entrusting scoring to an agent company includes a student name entry field KN. It is not preferable from the viewpoint of personal information protection to transmit this as it is to the agent.

  Accordingly, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 18, the divided answer image data DV12 in a state in which the entry field KN is painted black to make the name unrecognizable (masked) is generated and transmitted to the agent. To do. This prevents the student's name from leaking to the outside, which is suitable for protecting personal information.

  In the present embodiment, an example has been shown in which a condition for determining an entrustment destination is specified when entrusting document processing to an entrustment destination, but the condition is registered in the image processing apparatus 2 in advance. You may make it leave.

  In the present embodiment, the document processing in the divided area AR is designated by the document processing mark, but appropriate document processing may be registered in advance for each divided area AR. In this case, for example, an ID (job ID) for identifying each document process is allocated, and a table including items such as a test number NT, an area number, and a job ID is created. Then, the correspondence relationship between the test number NT, the area number, and the job ID is registered in the table.

  In the present embodiment, the grade data DS is transmitted to the student terminal 5 of the student who has previously requested the grade notification. However, the grade data DS may be transmitted unconditionally to all the students. In that case, the generation notification management data DT for all the students may be registered in advance in the grade notification management table TLT, or the generation notification management data DT is generated and registered when the grade data DS is transmitted. It may be.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the image processing apparatus 2 selects an appropriate agent according to the specified condition and determines the agent as a scoring outsource is shown. However, the selected agent is displayed on the display TP. A list may be displayed to prompt the user to confirm. At that time, the user may be able to select an agent on the display TP, and the agent agent selected there may be determined as a scoring agent.

  Moreover, you may enable it to set a budget as the conditions which a user designates for determination of a scoring outsourcer. In that case, the image processing apparatus 2 refers to the agency table TLD, selects the agency so that the total amount of the charges is within the budget, or close to the budget, and displays it on the display TP. Display a list. Then, the agency selected by the user from the displayed list is determined as the scoring agent. Alternatively, when the total amount of the fee is within the budget, the image processing apparatus 2 may automatically determine the selected agency as the scoring outsourcing destination. The user may be able to set a desired delivery date. Even in that case, the scoring outsourcing destination may be determined by the same method as in the case of setting a budget.

  In this embodiment, although the example in the case of transmitting the graded answer image data DZ indicating the result for each test to the student terminal 5 is shown, the test results of a plurality of tests, for example, all subjects are collectively transmitted. You may make it do.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the image processing apparatus 2, the OCR processing server 4a, and the mark sheet processing server 4b are installed in the junior high school Z has been shown. (Application Service Provider) or the like. In this case, the answer image data DP obtained by scanning the answer sheet TY in the junior high school Z is transmitted to the external image processing apparatus 2 by attaching it to an e-mail. The image processing apparatus 2 divides the answer image data DP for each divided answer image data DV, and distributes the divided answer image data DV to an appropriate scoring outsource by the method already described. And after receiving the data of a scoring result from each scoring consignee, the scored answer image data DZ is produced | generated based on the data, and it transmits to the terminal device etc. which are used in the junior high school Z. At the same time, billing for the junior high school Z is performed.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which an MFP is used as the image processing apparatus 2 has been described. However, a personal computer or a workstation can also be used. In that case, a scanner may be externally connected to a personal computer or the like, and a program for realizing the functions of the respective units shown in FIG. 3 may be installed.

  Further, although an example in which the OCR automatic processing and the mark sheet automatic processing are performed using the two servers of the OCR processing server 4a and the mark sheet processing server 4b has been shown, this may be performed by one server. The image processing apparatus 2 may perform OCR automatic processing and mark sheet automatic processing. In that case, it designates itself as a scoring consignee for OCR automatic processing and mark sheet automatic processing.

  Alternatively, a plurality of servers that perform OCR automatic processing and mark sheet automatic processing may be used. By doing so, the scoring process can be distributed and the process can be made more efficient.

  In addition, the document processing support system 1, the image processing apparatus 2, the vendor terminal 3, the OCR processing server 4a, the mark sheet processing server 4b, and the student terminal 5 are configured as a whole or each unit, functions, number, table configurations, and data The contents to be shown, the contents or order of processing, and the like can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a document processing support system according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an operation panel. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the flow of data until scoring is completed. It is a figure which shows the example of an agency company table. It is a figure which shows the example of a track record table. It is a figure which shows the example of a student table. It is a figure which shows the example of a grade notification management table. It is a figure which shows the example of an initial screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an answer sheet. It is a figure for demonstrating division | segmentation answer image data. It is a figure which shows the example of a condition designation | designated screen. It is a figure which shows the example of graded answer image data. It is a figure for demonstrating the data of a scoring result. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the whole process of the image processing apparatus 2 at the time of entrusting test scoring. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of scoring entrustee determination processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of an agency selection process. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of division | segmentation answer image data.

Explanation of symbols

2 Image processing apparatus 4a OCR processing server (original processing person)
4a OCR processing server (consignee)
4b Mark sheet processing server (original processing person)
4b Mark sheet processing server (consignee)
5 Student terminal (client terminal)
20e Scanner (reading means)
202 Agent data storage unit (storage means)
203 Automatic processing server data storage unit (storage means)
211 answer image data dividing unit (image dividing means)
212 Consignee decision section (decision means)
213 Data transmission processing unit (transmission means)
214 Scoring result data receiving unit (error receiving means)
214 Scoring result data receiving unit (result data receiving means)
216 Graded answer image data generation unit (generation means)
218 Grade data transmission unit (processed document image transmission means)
219 Grade notification management data update unit (billing data registration update means)
AR divided area (area)
DD Agent data (document processing performer data)
DE error notification data (error data)
DJ automatic processing result data (result data)
DM Manual processing result data (result data)
DP answer image data (original image)
DR results data (manuscript processing person data)
DS grade data (processed manuscript image)
DT Grade notification management data (billing data)
DV divided answer image data (divided image)
DY Automatic processing server data (document processing performer data)
DZ graded answer image data (processed manuscript image)
RE identification information (identification ID)
TY answer sheet (manuscript)

Claims (6)

Storing means for storing manuscript processing performer data for a manuscript processing performer who performs manuscript processing, which is processing for creating data based on the content of the manuscript;
Reading means for reading a document;
Image dividing means for dividing the original image of the read original into divided images for each unit area that can be entrusted to the original processing entrustee of the original;
Based on the document processing for the divided image and user condition data indicating a condition specified by a user, the consignee for the divided image is determined based on the document processing performer data stored in the storage unit. A determination means for determining from among manuscript performers;
Transmitting means for transmitting the divided image to the consignee determined for the divided image;
Error receiving means for receiving error data relating to an error relating to manuscript processing from the outsourcer that performed manuscript processing;
A display for displaying a condition designation screen for the user to designate the user condition data ,
When the error receiving unit receives the error data, the display notifies the user that the error data has been transmitted, and whether the user himself or herself performs document processing related to the error. You can choose to entrust the performer,
When the error receiving unit receives the error data, the divided image related to the error data is stored in the storage unit based on a condition specified by the user. The contractor is determined from the performer and transmitted to the determined contractor.
An image processing apparatus. One or a plurality of the document processes are associated with the area,
The determining means includes
Prior to determining the outsourcer, one of the plurality of document processes is determined based on the user condition data for the area associated with the plurality of document processes.
The determined document processing is determined as the document processing for the divided image related to the area, and the consignee for the divided image is determined.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 . The conditions shown in the user condition data include a charge condition related to a charge,
The determining means determines the consignee for each of the divided images so as to satisfy the fee condition;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein. The conditions shown in the user condition data include delivery date conditions related to delivery date,
The determining means determines the consignee for each of the divided images so as to satisfy the delivery date condition;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein. The document processing includes a first document processing automatically performed by the apparatus and a second document processing performed by a human input operation.
When error data relating to an error relating to the first document processing is received from the consignee that has performed the first document processing, the divided document related to the error data may be subjected to the second document processing. Can send to the outsourcer,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An identification ID for identifying the divided image is given to the divided image, and result data receiving means for receiving the result of the document processing and the result data including the identification ID of the divided image related to the document processing When,
Based on the identification ID included in the result data received by the result data receiving means, the processed data representing the state in which the result of the document processing is added to the document image is used as the result data. Generating means for generating using,
Processed document image transmission means for transmitting the processed document image to a client terminal of a client who has requested transmission of the processed document image;
Billing data registration updating means for registering or updating billing data for the client when the processed document image is transmitted to the client;
It claims 1 comprises an image processing apparatus according to any one of 5.