CA2025784A1 - Method of using a facsimile mahcine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files - Google Patents
Method of using a facsimile mahcine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text filesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2025784A1 CA2025784A1 CA 2025784 CA2025784A CA2025784A1 CA 2025784 A1 CA2025784 A1 CA 2025784A1 CA 2025784 CA2025784 CA 2025784 CA 2025784 A CA2025784 A CA 2025784A CA 2025784 A1 CA2025784 A1 CA 2025784A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- facsimile machine
- computer
- optical character
- text files
- graphic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Facsimiles In General (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A Method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files consisting of the following described steps. Firstly, establish a communication link between a facsimile machine and a computer equipped with a fax board. Secondly, transmit the image of a document from the facsimile machine to the computer in the form of a Graphic file. Thirdly, convert the Graphic files generated by the facsimile machine into text files.
A Method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files consisting of the following described steps. Firstly, establish a communication link between a facsimile machine and a computer equipped with a fax board. Secondly, transmit the image of a document from the facsimile machine to the computer in the form of a Graphic file. Thirdly, convert the Graphic files generated by the facsimile machine into text files.
Description
~ 2 ~
The pre~ent inverition relates -to a Method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files.
BACXGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An Optical Character Scanning Apparatus is u~ed to "scan" a document and place it into a computer file format. The technology was developed for the purpose of permitting a person to edit on a computer documents 10 received in hard copy format, without having to retype the entire document into a computer for the purpose of word processing. When a document is scanned, the subject matter is encoded as special characters (such as commas, periods, brackets) or alpha-numeric characters 15 (such as "l's, "2's", "3's", "A's", "B's", "C's"). The result of the scanning is then stored as a set of text characters.
There are a number of problems with this 20 technology. One problem is in having a sranner sophisticated enough to identify a particular alpha-numeric character (such as an "A") regardless of the type style used. Another problem is in identifying characters when the original hard copy is blurred and 25 generally not of good quality. In order to resolve the e problems sophisticated technology is used which is typically expensive.
On the other hand, the use of facsimile machines 30 has become widespread and such machines are comparatively inexpen~ive.
SUMMARY OF TH~ INVENTION
What is required i~ a method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce ~2~7~
computer text files.
According -to this aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files which is comprised of the following described teps.
Firstly, establish a communication link between a facsimile machine and a computer equipped with a fax board. Secondly, transmit the image of a document from 10 the facsimile machine to the computer in the form of a Graphic file. Thirdly, convert the Graphic files generated by the facsimile machine into text files.
Prior to the present invention, fax boards and fax 15 machines were considered to be mutually exclusive entities. A fax board is used to send and receive textual messages composed at a computer. A fax machine has a built in "scanning" capability that permits it to send copies of text or graphic images taken from books 20 and other sources. When a fax machine "scans" a document it stores the information as a dense set of "dots" or pixels. A character, such as an "A" is not a unit in and of itself, but merely a pattern of "dots" in the shape of an "A". The information is stored in 25 graphic files, referred to as PCX files. This is to be contrasted with conventional Optical Character Scanners which operate on the basis of character recognition and store the resulting document as a text file. By e-~tablishing a communication link between the fax board 33 of the computer and the fax machine, and using software capable of converting the graphic files into text files, the Applicant has created a form of Optical Character Scanner which uses proven exiYting technology at 35 comparatively low cost. Most businesses already are using fax machines and computers. It is therefore 2~2~
. "............................................................... , ~ .
possible by following the teachillys of the Appli~ant's method to obtain optical scanning capability at minimal co~t.
Another advantage provided by this method is greater flexibility in editing; as editing can occur in the Graphic file format if desired. With conventional Optical Character Scanning technology the rtsulting document i5 stored as a text file. In a text file it is 10 impossible to delete a portion of a character. Either the character is deleted in its entirety or it iB not deleted. In contra~t, a character in a Graphic file i8 merely a plurality of "dot~" in the shape of that character, and a selected portion of those dots can be 15 deleted, as desired.
. ~,.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an Optical Character Scanning Apparatus which is comprised of a facsimile machine and a computer 20 equipped with a fax board. A communication link is used to couple the facsimile machine with the computer Yuch that documents are scanned by the facsimile machine and communicated through the communication link to the computer as a Graphic file. Conversion ~oftware is used 25 by the computer to convert the Graphic files into text files.
BRI~F D~SCRIPTION OF THE DRAoINGS
These and other features of the invention will 30 become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURe I is a block diagram of an Optical Character 35 Scanning Apparatus assembled according to the teachings of the present invention.
2 !3 2 ~
~ ~ .
DETAILED D~SCRIPTION OF TEE PREFERRED EMBODI~ENT
The present invention, an Optical Character Scanning Apparatus generally referred to by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGURE 1. The primary component of Optical Character Scanning Apparatus 10 are a facsimile machine 12, a computer 14, a fax board 16, a communication link 18, and conversion software. All of these components are well known and proven technology. The invention lies in 10 the inter-relationship of the components and the method of use.
.... .
Referring to FIGUR~ 1, computer 14 is equipped with a fax board 16. In the prototype developed by the 1~ Applicants a fax board manufactured by Intel Corporation was used. Communication link la is used to link computer 14 with facsimile machine 12. In the prototype the Applicants links computer 14 and facsimile machine 12 by means of a standard telephone line. In addition 20 to the normal operating and wordprocessing software, computer 14 is preprogrammed with conversion software;
capable of converting the Graphic files into text files.
There are a number of brands of conversion software which are suitable for the purpose such as software 2~ produced by OCR Systems Inc. and sold under the Trademark Readright 2.01.
The method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files 30 will now be described with reference to FIGURE 1. The method of using Optical Character Scanning Apparatus 10 consi~ts of the following steps. Firstly, communication link 18 is established between facsimile machine 12 and 35 computer 14 as previously described. Computer 14 must ~- 2~2~7~
be equipped with fax board 16. Secondly, the image of a document is taken by facsimile machine and transmitted to computer 14 in the form of a Graphic f ile. The document can be edited in Graphic format if this s provides an advantage. Thirdly, the Graphic files are converted into text files using conversion software.
When the described invention i9 used with image enhancing software, beneficial results are obtainable 10 with documents which are beyond the capability of most Optical Character Readers. Optical character readers are incapable of performing where characters are illegible. Image enhancement may be performed either before the image i8 stored as a graphic file or when in 15 the graphic file format. The enhanced graphic file is then translated into a text f ile.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art the tremendous cost savings that can be realized in 20 utilizing this proven and readily available technology as an Optical Character Scanning Apparatus. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art the enhanced editing capabilities the preferred embodiment has over - -~
existing commercially available Optical Character -25 Scanning technology. It will finally be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
' 3~ ~ -;', ~
The pre~ent inverition relates -to a Method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files.
BACXGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An Optical Character Scanning Apparatus is u~ed to "scan" a document and place it into a computer file format. The technology was developed for the purpose of permitting a person to edit on a computer documents 10 received in hard copy format, without having to retype the entire document into a computer for the purpose of word processing. When a document is scanned, the subject matter is encoded as special characters (such as commas, periods, brackets) or alpha-numeric characters 15 (such as "l's, "2's", "3's", "A's", "B's", "C's"). The result of the scanning is then stored as a set of text characters.
There are a number of problems with this 20 technology. One problem is in having a sranner sophisticated enough to identify a particular alpha-numeric character (such as an "A") regardless of the type style used. Another problem is in identifying characters when the original hard copy is blurred and 25 generally not of good quality. In order to resolve the e problems sophisticated technology is used which is typically expensive.
On the other hand, the use of facsimile machines 30 has become widespread and such machines are comparatively inexpen~ive.
SUMMARY OF TH~ INVENTION
What is required i~ a method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce ~2~7~
computer text files.
According -to this aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files which is comprised of the following described teps.
Firstly, establish a communication link between a facsimile machine and a computer equipped with a fax board. Secondly, transmit the image of a document from 10 the facsimile machine to the computer in the form of a Graphic file. Thirdly, convert the Graphic files generated by the facsimile machine into text files.
Prior to the present invention, fax boards and fax 15 machines were considered to be mutually exclusive entities. A fax board is used to send and receive textual messages composed at a computer. A fax machine has a built in "scanning" capability that permits it to send copies of text or graphic images taken from books 20 and other sources. When a fax machine "scans" a document it stores the information as a dense set of "dots" or pixels. A character, such as an "A" is not a unit in and of itself, but merely a pattern of "dots" in the shape of an "A". The information is stored in 25 graphic files, referred to as PCX files. This is to be contrasted with conventional Optical Character Scanners which operate on the basis of character recognition and store the resulting document as a text file. By e-~tablishing a communication link between the fax board 33 of the computer and the fax machine, and using software capable of converting the graphic files into text files, the Applicant has created a form of Optical Character Scanner which uses proven exiYting technology at 35 comparatively low cost. Most businesses already are using fax machines and computers. It is therefore 2~2~
. "............................................................... , ~ .
possible by following the teachillys of the Appli~ant's method to obtain optical scanning capability at minimal co~t.
Another advantage provided by this method is greater flexibility in editing; as editing can occur in the Graphic file format if desired. With conventional Optical Character Scanning technology the rtsulting document i5 stored as a text file. In a text file it is 10 impossible to delete a portion of a character. Either the character is deleted in its entirety or it iB not deleted. In contra~t, a character in a Graphic file i8 merely a plurality of "dot~" in the shape of that character, and a selected portion of those dots can be 15 deleted, as desired.
. ~,.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an Optical Character Scanning Apparatus which is comprised of a facsimile machine and a computer 20 equipped with a fax board. A communication link is used to couple the facsimile machine with the computer Yuch that documents are scanned by the facsimile machine and communicated through the communication link to the computer as a Graphic file. Conversion ~oftware is used 25 by the computer to convert the Graphic files into text files.
BRI~F D~SCRIPTION OF THE DRAoINGS
These and other features of the invention will 30 become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURe I is a block diagram of an Optical Character 35 Scanning Apparatus assembled according to the teachings of the present invention.
2 !3 2 ~
~ ~ .
DETAILED D~SCRIPTION OF TEE PREFERRED EMBODI~ENT
The present invention, an Optical Character Scanning Apparatus generally referred to by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGURE 1. The primary component of Optical Character Scanning Apparatus 10 are a facsimile machine 12, a computer 14, a fax board 16, a communication link 18, and conversion software. All of these components are well known and proven technology. The invention lies in 10 the inter-relationship of the components and the method of use.
.... .
Referring to FIGUR~ 1, computer 14 is equipped with a fax board 16. In the prototype developed by the 1~ Applicants a fax board manufactured by Intel Corporation was used. Communication link la is used to link computer 14 with facsimile machine 12. In the prototype the Applicants links computer 14 and facsimile machine 12 by means of a standard telephone line. In addition 20 to the normal operating and wordprocessing software, computer 14 is preprogrammed with conversion software;
capable of converting the Graphic files into text files.
There are a number of brands of conversion software which are suitable for the purpose such as software 2~ produced by OCR Systems Inc. and sold under the Trademark Readright 2.01.
The method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files 30 will now be described with reference to FIGURE 1. The method of using Optical Character Scanning Apparatus 10 consi~ts of the following steps. Firstly, communication link 18 is established between facsimile machine 12 and 35 computer 14 as previously described. Computer 14 must ~- 2~2~7~
be equipped with fax board 16. Secondly, the image of a document is taken by facsimile machine and transmitted to computer 14 in the form of a Graphic f ile. The document can be edited in Graphic format if this s provides an advantage. Thirdly, the Graphic files are converted into text files using conversion software.
When the described invention i9 used with image enhancing software, beneficial results are obtainable 10 with documents which are beyond the capability of most Optical Character Readers. Optical character readers are incapable of performing where characters are illegible. Image enhancement may be performed either before the image i8 stored as a graphic file or when in 15 the graphic file format. The enhanced graphic file is then translated into a text f ile.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art the tremendous cost savings that can be realized in 20 utilizing this proven and readily available technology as an Optical Character Scanning Apparatus. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art the enhanced editing capabilities the preferred embodiment has over - -~
existing commercially available Optical Character -25 Scanning technology. It will finally be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
' 3~ ~ -;', ~
Claims (2)
1. A Method of using a facsimile machine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files, comprising the steps of:
a. firstly, establishing a communication link between a facsimile machine with a computer equipped with a fax board;
b. secondly, transmitting the image of a document from the facsimile machine to the computer;
c. thirdly, converting the graphic files generated by the facsimile machine into text files.
a. firstly, establishing a communication link between a facsimile machine with a computer equipped with a fax board;
b. secondly, transmitting the image of a document from the facsimile machine to the computer;
c. thirdly, converting the graphic files generated by the facsimile machine into text files.
2. An Optical Character Scanning Apparatus, comprising:
a. a facsimile machine;
b. a computer equipped with a fax board;
c. a communication link coupling the facsimile machine with the computer such that documents are scanned by the facsimile machine and communicated through the communication link to the computer as a graphic file; and d. conversion software whereby the graphic files are converted into text files.
a. a facsimile machine;
b. a computer equipped with a fax board;
c. a communication link coupling the facsimile machine with the computer such that documents are scanned by the facsimile machine and communicated through the communication link to the computer as a graphic file; and d. conversion software whereby the graphic files are converted into text files.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2025784 CA2025784A1 (en) | 1990-09-20 | 1990-09-20 | Method of using a facsimile mahcine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2025784 CA2025784A1 (en) | 1990-09-20 | 1990-09-20 | Method of using a facsimile mahcine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2025784A1 true CA2025784A1 (en) | 1992-03-21 |
Family
ID=4146015
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2025784 Abandoned CA2025784A1 (en) | 1990-09-20 | 1990-09-20 | Method of using a facsimile mahcine as an optical character scanner to produce computer text files |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2025784A1 (en) |
-
1990
- 1990-09-20 CA CA 2025784 patent/CA2025784A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |