JP2002157545A - Method for reading and transferring document - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document reading and transfer technique which improves the efficiency of data processing for inputting prescribed character data to a computer from various documents for input, reduces its input processing time and labor remarkably and uniformalizes input data processing. SOLUTION: An invoice I in a new form is read by an image reader 20, the read character image is displayed on the screen, prescribed character data to be a character read object is selected, enclosed by a read frame in each selection item and demarcated by using coordinates, the coordinates are associated with the item of character data, and a form template is set and stored in a storage device. Meanwhile, when the form template has already been set in the case the character data is inputted to a data processing terminal 10 from a document for input, the form template is read, character read ranges that are respectively demarcated in each item are displayed on the screen, the invoice is read by the image reader, only a character image recorded within the character read range of the form template is subjected to character recognition from the read character image by using an optical character reader and stored as a text file in a storage device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data input / transfer technique in a computer system.
It reads input documents that record textual information, such as forms such as invoices (purchases) used for export and acquisition of cargo, and records the textual information by item, and extracts the textual data necessary for customs clearance procedures. To read and transfer the character data through a computer network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, when arranging import / export of cargo based on a shipping order from a shipper, EDI is used with a specific partial shipper, but most shippers use Documents necessary for export and acquisition, such as invoices, are sent by fax, sent by mail, or brought directly.

[0003] As described above, a document received from a shipper is usually a document in which character information is recorded in an item such as an invoice number or a seller according to contents. The necessary character data is manually input into a computer to create the data, and the character data is
It transfers the goods to the customs department and warehouse department via computer networks, and arranges the import and export of cargo.

[0004]

Conventionally, however, the forms of computer input documents such as the invoices described above are usually various and varied depending on the document creator such as a shipper or the purpose of use, and the number of forms is enormous. Nevertheless, since the input clerk needs to type necessary information and create predetermined transfer data while looking at these documents, the input work is very cumbersome and troublesome.
Typographical errors are also prone to occur, resulting in a lot of effort and time spent on input paperwork. In addition, there is a problem in that the input time and accuracy vary depending on knowledge and experience depending on the input clerk, and the input clerk cannot be leveled.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, to improve the efficiency of paperwork for inputting predetermined character data from a variety of input documents to a computer, and to increase the input processing time and labor. The present invention provides a document reading and transferring technique capable of remarkably reducing the number of documents and leveling the input paperwork.

[0006]

Therefore, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 reads an input document such as an invoice I in which character information is recorded in each item by content. A document reading and transferring method for extracting necessary predetermined character data from the read character image, inputting the character data to a computer such as the data processing terminal 10, and transferring the character data via a computer network. If the form is new, the input document is read by the image reading device 20, the read character image is displayed on the screen, and predetermined character data to be read is selected on the display screen. The form template 30 is defined by using coordinates around the reading frame, and the coordinates are associated with the character data items. 2, when the character data is extracted from the input document and input to the computer, if the form template 30 of the input document has already been set, the form template 30 is read and read. A character reading range 35a defined by the reading frame is displayed on the screen for each item 35, the input document is read by the image reading device 20, and a character reading range 3 of the form template 30 is read from the read character image.
The method includes a step of performing character recognition using an optical character reading device (OCR engine) 29 only for the character image recorded in 5a, and storing the recognized character data in the storage device 22 as a text file. And

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the document reading and transferring method according to the first aspect, character data of a character recognition result and a character image recorded in the input document are listed side by side for each item. And comparing and displaying the data on the screen, and correcting the character data as necessary.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the document reading and transferring method of the first aspect, when the character data including the character recognized includes a numerical value, the numerical value is added based on an adding function. The method includes a step of displaying the warning on the warning screen 55 and prompting the user to correct the number.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable data recording medium for reading an input document such as an invoice I in which character information is divided into items for each content and recorded. A document reading and transferring method for extracting predetermined character data, inputting the character data to a computer such as the data processing terminal 10, and transferring the character data via a computer network, wherein the input document form is new. The input document is read by the image reading device 20, the read character image is displayed on the screen, the predetermined character data to be read is selected on the display screen, and the coordinates are surrounded by a reading frame for each selection item 35 and the coordinates are set. The form template 30 by associating the coordinates with the items of the character data,
In addition to the step of storing the data in the storage device 22, when character data is extracted from the input document and input to the computer, if the form template 30 of the input document is already set, the form template 30 is read out. A character reading range 35a defined by the reading frame is displayed on the screen for each item 35, the input document is read by the image reading device 20, and a character reading range 35a of the form template 30 is read from the read character image. Only for the recorded character image, character recognition is performed using an optical character reading device (OCR engine) 29, and the character data obtained by character recognition is stored as a text file in the storage device 22.
A document reading and transferring method, comprising:
A program for causing a computer to execute the program is recorded.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire configuration of a cargo export / acquisition / distribution system to which a document reading / transferring method is applied as an embodiment of the present invention. This export acquisition distribution system connects a central data processing office A to the export acquisition distribution work instruction office B, bonded storage bureau C, customs clearance processing office D, cargo collection and distribution office E, and cargo transportation office F via a dedicated telephone line. In addition, a network is constructed so that data transmission and reception can be performed mutually. On the other hand, in this example, it is assumed that the work instruction station B is connected to many shippers G as customers at least via a telephone line.

The work instructing station B instructs the inbound and outgoing work of the import / export cargo at the bonded storage bureau C based on the transport order sent from the shipper G and the bonded declaration procedure at the customs processing bureau D.
The bonded warehouse C stores the import / export cargo in the warehouse section for customs clearance. The customs clearance bureau D carries out customs declaration processing for import / export cargo to customs. In the case of export, the freight collection and distribution office E collects the ordered cargo to the collection point of the shipper G and transports it to the bonded storage yard C. On the other hand, in the case of import, it transports the imported cargo from the bonded storage yard C to the destination of the shipper G. I do. In the case of export, the freight forwarding office F transports the ordered cargo from the bonded warehouse C via the container yard to the port, while in the case of import,
This department transports the imported cargo from the port to the bonded warehouse C via the container yard.

Each of the work instruction station B, bonded storage station C, customs clearance processing station D, cargo collection and delivery station E, and cargo transportation station F has at least data processing terminals 10 to 14 each comprising a personal computer or the like.

On the other hand, the central data processing station A has a host computer 15, which is connected to the data processing terminals 10 to 14 in each data processing station at the base by a dedicated telephone line.
Through this computer network, all data related to import / export cargo is collected and centrally managed.

The work instruction station B includes an image reading device (image scanner) 20 connected to the data processing terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the data processing terminal 10 includes a main control unit 21 composed of a CPU, and controls each unit, transmits and receives data, performs various calculations, and generates and stores data.

A storage unit 22 is connected to the main control unit 21, and an input / output unit 24 such as a keyboard and a mouse via an input / output control unit 23, and a CR used for monitoring input data.
A display device 25 such as a T or an LCD and an output device 26 for outputting measure data such as various calculation results are connected.

The storage device 22 is a storage means such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, or an optical disk.
And a main program 16 for displaying a guidance screen. In addition, a form file 1 created by assigning a form code to each input document such as an invoice.
7. A shipper file 18 in which a shipper code is assigned to each shipper and stored in association with the shipper's name is stored on the hard disk.

Further, the hard disk stores an addition program 19 having a numerical value addition function for checking whether or not the numerical value sum of the detailed lines such as the amount is correct. Further, a form template 30 created in advance for each form of a different input document is stored in the hard disk.
Is stored.

As shown in FIG. 3, each form template 30 is composed of character read data such as an item name of predetermined character data to be read, a character type, a dictionary file, and (X, Y) coordinate information. . The item name is data for identifying recorded contents such as an invoice number and a seller. The character type specifies the type of recorded characters such as alphanumeric characters, numbers, and Japanese for each item. The dictionary file specifies the typeface of the recorded characters such as Gothic type and Mincho type for each item. The (X, Y) information is data for specifying where the recording start position and the end position of the predetermined character data to be read are located by item in the read image, and the coordinate position. The X coordinate indicates the distance (mm) from the upper left edge of the document surface, and the Y coordinate indicates the distance (mm) from the uppermost edge of the document surface.

The hard disk of the storage device 22 stores an OCR engine 29 of an optical character reading device that performs character recognition of an input document in accordance with the character reading data set in the form template 30.

Next, for example, when the cargo owner G instructs the work instructing station B to import and export cargo by fax, predetermined character data is input to the data processing terminal 10 by the document reading and transferring method of the present invention. The transfer operation is described below.

The input document sent from Shipper G is, in particular,
A document is used in which character information is recorded in each content item. Here, as shown in FIG.
CE. NO "," INVOICE.DATE "," SO
LD. For example, a so-called invoice (purchase note) I is a document in which the recorded contents are divided into blocks for each item 35.

When the invoice I is transmitted from the shipper G to the work instruction station B, the reading and transferring process is executed through the steps shown in FIG. 5 under the control of the main controller 21.
Hereinafter, the procedure of the reading and transferring process will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, in step S1 shown in FIG.
For the invoice I received from the shipper G, it is confirmed whether the form template 30 is set or not. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, a form template selection screen 36 is displayed on the display screen of the data processing terminal 10, a shipper code is input to an input box 36a of "shipper", and an input box 36b of "form type" is input.
, Enter the form code, and click the "OK" button 37. If the corresponding form template 30 is not read, the process proceeds to step S2, where the form template 30 is set.

When setting the form template 30, the invoice I is set on the contact glass of the image reading device 20 and its original surface is read (step S2).
a) The read character image is displayed on the display screen as shown in FIG. Next, a form template is created using the read character image (step S2b).

When a new form template is created, character data to be read on the display screen is selected for each item 35 by surrounding it with a reading frame. For example, by dragging the mouse cursor 38, the item "SOLD.T
The display is activated only at the location of "O" (seller) 35 to define the character reading range 35a. At the same time, in the location designation area 40a of the form setting display field 40, the position of the seller item 35 is automatically defined by the coordinates, and the X coordinate and Y coordinate of the sentence start line and the X coordinate and Y coordinate of the sentence end line are set. The coordinates are displayed.

In the form setting display field 40, the item name (SO
LD. TO) and select the character type selection box 40c.
Use to select the character type (alphanumeric), and select dictionary 4
0d selects a dictionary (alphanumeric Gothic). Thus, for the seller item 35, the character reading range 35a, the item name,
Specify the form by specifying the character type and dictionary,
Click the “OK” button 41 to complete the setting. "I
NVOICE. "NO" and the other items are repeated in the same manner, and the form is specified by the character reading range 35a, the item name, the character type, and the dictionary, and the form template 30 is created.

When the creation of the form template 30 is completed, it is stored (step S2c). In that case,
As shown in FIG. 8, a template storage screen 45 is displayed, a shipper code is entered in a shipper code input box 46, a shipper name is entered in a shipper name input box 47, and an invoice is selected in a form type selection box 48. after,
Click the "OK" button 49 to save the form template 30.

On the other hand, if the form template has already been set for invoice I in step S1 of FIG. 5, the process proceeds to step S3, and the corresponding form template is automatically read. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, a character reading range (screen white portion in the figure) 35a defined by a rectangular reading frame for each item is displayed on the display screen.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S4, and a guidance window 50 for prompting the start of reading is displayed on the display screen. Therefore, the invoice I is set on the contact glass of the image reading device 20 and the “OK” button 51 of the guide window 50 is clicked. Then, the original surface of the invoice I is read, and the form template 3 is included in the read character image.
Character recognition is started only for the character image recorded in the character reading range 35a of 0.

Thus, the character reading range 35a of each item 35
After performing the character recognition in step S5, the process proceeds to step S5.
As shown in FIG. 10, the character data of the read result (recognized character) and the character image (image) recorded on the invoice I
Are compared and displayed side by side for each item.

Next, in step S6, the character reading result is confirmed while looking at the image character image on the right side for each item 35. The correctness of the character recognition is checked for each item, and if there is an error in the recognition, the read character is corrected in step S7.

In this case, for characters that could not be read, a "?" Mark 52 is displayed at the corresponding character position. In the illustrated example, “BLDG” 53 in the “CONSIGNED.TO” item could not be read. Therefore, "?" Is corrected to "BLDG" by looking at the image character image on the right side.

On the other hand, when there is no error in the read result or after the character is corrected, the "save" button 54 shown in FIG. 10 is clicked. At this time, the addition function of the numerical value works,
The total number of detail lines (not shown) included in the character data of the invoice I is added. If the sums do not match, FIG.
Warning screen 5 prompting correction of incorrect numbers as shown in
5 is displayed. Therefore, in the warning screen 55,
Click the "OK" button 56 to modify the numbers.

If the totals match, step S8
The data save / transfer screen 57 is displayed as shown in FIG. 12, and a name is entered in a data name input box 58 of the data save / transfer screen 57, and then an “OK” button 59 is clicked, and a character of the read result is displayed. The data is shown in FIG.
As a text file 60 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the character data is transferred to the host computer 15 of the central data processing station A. In the text file 60, the header 60a and the attachment 60b are separate files, and the data name and the character data are separated by "TAB" 61.

Thereafter, the predetermined character data of the invoice I is transferred from the host computer 15 to the data processing terminal 12 of the customs processing bureau D, and the customs procedure is performed.

In the illustrated example described above, for each of the character reading ranges 35a, the data to be recorded therein is designated by the form according to the character type and the character type, and the form template 30 is set. In order to further improve the recognition accuracy, it is also possible to add various learning functions such as checking the grammar direction and the grammar before and after, and to specify the form.

If an input document such as an invoice has a portion where characters are repeatedly recorded in a variable number of times, such as a detailed line portion of an amount or a case mark, coordinates and a keyword for recognizing the first line are set. , Each item can be set by relative coordinates from a keyword.

As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a cargo export / acquisition / distribution system and an invoice required for the export / acquisition is read and input to a computer has been described. However, the present invention can be applied not only to the export and acquisition distribution but also to other general computer input business. In addition, the input document is not limited to the invoice as long as it is a document in which character information is recorded for each content item. It may be a general computer input document used for various purposes, in addition to a cargo loading instruction and a warehousing schedule.

[0040]

According to the present invention configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention,
Even if the form is various and the number of documents for computer input is enormous, there is no need to type by hand while looking at these documents, which improves the efficiency of data entry and eliminates the problem of input errors. As a result, the time and labor for the paperwork can be significantly reduced, and the input paperwork can be leveled regardless of the skills of the person in charge of the paperwork.

For a document for inputting a new form, a form template is created in advance, and when character data is to be input based on the document, the corresponding form template is read out and the document of the document is read in accordance with the form template. Since it is sufficient to perform character recognition, it is not necessary to force the input document creation side such as the shipper to input the unified form input document and prepare the designated document separately, while the input document creation side also has The user can freely set a form according to his / her own convenience and freely use a document of the form.

Further, a portion to be read necessary for creating character data is limited by using a form template created in advance, characters are recognized within the character reading range, and unnecessary character image portions are not wastefully read. Therefore, there is no need to perform a troublesome operation such as editing unnecessary character data to unnecessary character data later, and the character data can be automatically used as the transfer character data.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the character data of the character recognition result and the character image recorded in the input document are displayed side by side for each item and compared and displayed on the screen. Since the character data can be corrected, the character recognition result can be checked effectively and quickly, and the character data can be easily added or deleted based on the result.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a configuration in which the numerical value included in the character data is added based on the numerical value adding function, and if there is an error, the error is displayed on the screen to prompt the correction of the number. Even if the input document includes a numerical value such as an amount, the reliability of the read result can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a data processing terminal provided in a work instruction station.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of data contents of a form template.

FIG. 4 is a partial configuration diagram showing items described in an invoice.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps from preparation of a form template to transfer of character data.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a form template selection screen when a form template is created.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an invoice reading image screen.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a screen for saving a form template.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a form template reading screen.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a reading result editing screen.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an addition result warning screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a character data storage / host transfer screen.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a file image of character data for transfer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 computer (data processing terminal) 15 host computer 20 image reading device 22 storage device 29 optical character reading device (OCR engine) 30 form template 35 item 35a character reading range 55 warning screen A central data processing station B work instruction station C customs clearance Processing station D Bonded storage station E Cargo collection station F Cargo transportation station G Shipper I Invoice (input document)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An input document in which character information is classified and recorded according to contents, is read, necessary predetermined character data is extracted from the read character image and input to a computer, and the character data is input via a computer network. A document reading and transferring method, wherein when the form of the input document is new, the input document is read by an image reading device and a read character image is displayed on a screen, and a character reading target is displayed on the display screen. Selecting predetermined character data to be defined, defining each selected item using coordinates around a reading frame, setting the coordinates in association with the character data items, setting a form template, and storing the form template in a storage device. On the other hand, when character data is extracted from the input document and input to the computer, the form template of the input document is already If it is set, the form template is read, a character reading range defined by the reading frame is displayed on a screen for each item, the input document is read by an image reading device, and the form is read from the read character image. Character recognition is performed using an optical character reader only for character images recorded within the character reading range of the template, and the character data obtained by character recognition is stored in a storage device as a text file. Document reading transfer method. 2. A method comprising the steps of: displaying character data as a result of character recognition and a character image recorded in the input document side by side for each item, comparing and displaying them on a screen, and correcting the character data as necessary. 2. The document reading and transferring method according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of adding a numerical value based on an adding function when the character data including the recognized character includes a numerical value, and displaying an error on a warning screen to urge correction of the numerical value. 2. The document reading and transferring method according to claim 1, wherein: 4. An input document in which character information is recorded in the form of items for each content is read, required character data is extracted from the read character image and input to a computer, and the character data is input via a computer network. A document reading and transferring method, wherein when the form of the input document is new, the input document is read by an image reading device and a read character image is displayed on a screen, and a character reading target is displayed on the display screen. Selecting predetermined character data to be defined, defining each selected item using coordinates around a reading frame, setting the coordinates in association with the character data items, setting a form template, and storing the form template in a storage device. On the other hand, when character data is extracted from the input document and input to the computer, the form template of the input document is already If it is set, the form template is read, a character reading range defined by the reading frame is displayed on a screen for each item, the input document is read by an image reading device, and the form is read from the read character image. Character recognition using an optical character reader only for character images recorded within the character reading range of the template, and storing the character data recognized as characters in a storage device as a text file. Computer-readable data recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the program is recorded.