JP2003058823A - Character information extraction device and its method, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately extract character information synthesized with picture data in a divided state or a combined state and to promote the electronic filing of picture data in medical facilities or the like. SOLUTION: An image transfer device 4 inputs picture data G outputted from a photographing device 1, extracts character information M to which images are attached from the picture data G by character recognition and files the picture data G in relation with the extracted character information M. In this case, the extracted character information M is converted in accordance with a previously set conversion rule, so that the divided or combined image-attached character information M can be accurately restored.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character information extraction device, a character information extraction method, a program and a storage medium for extracting image-accompanying character information contained in image data as character string code data, and more particularly to a medical image filing system. A character information extraction device, a character information extraction method,
The present invention relates to programs and storage media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, images, characters, and other data are
An electronic filing system for storing electronic data has been proposed. For example, in a medical facility such as a hospital, various image data captured by an X-ray imaging apparatus, an X-ray tomography apparatus, a magnetic resonance image forming apparatus, an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus, an electronic endoscope, a fundus camera, etc. is handled. Therefore, it has been proposed to reduce the storage space and share the image data by switching the storage of these image data from film or print storage to electronic data storage.

In the image filing system as described above, each photographing device has a function of outputting image data obtained by photographing a subject and character data capable of specifying the subject in a compatible standard format. , Its construction becomes easier.

Therefore, the image-accompanying character information such as the ID number and the name included in the image data of the X-ray film or the like is extracted as character string code data by using character recognition (OCR) and the extracted image is extracted. A method of constructing an image filing system by storing image data in association with supplementary character information has been proposed. However, not all image-capturing devices have this function, and constructing only with this method. Is difficult Further, in the electronic storage of medical images, it is necessary to limit the data modification after filing in order to prevent falsification of data, so it is required to add correct text information before filing medical images. .

However, in image data such as an X-ray film, character information is recorded, for example, at the four corners of the image data so as not to impair the visibility of the captured image. Since this character information recording area has a limited space, many image-capturing devices record image-accompanying character information in a divided state over a plurality of areas or a plurality of lines,
Alternatively, a character string operation such as recording a plurality of pieces of image-accompanying character information in a combined state is performed. Therefore, in the image data as described above, even if the image supplementary character information can be accurately extracted as the character string code data, it is incomplete as filing data and there is a disadvantage that it cannot be directly adopted as filing data. It was

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention was devised to eliminate the above-mentioned problems, and it is intended to extract image-accompanying character information contained in image data, It is possible to accurately extract the image supplementary character information that is combined in the divided state and multiple image supplementary character information that is combined in the image data in the combined state, and as a result, the image extracted from the image data An object of the present invention is to provide a character information extraction device, a character information extraction method, a program, and a storage medium that can promote electronic filing of image data in a medical facility or the like by using the supplementary character information as filing data.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a character information extracting device of the present invention is a character information extracting device for extracting character information contained in image data according to a predetermined arrangement rule for the image data. Character information extraction means for extracting image-accompanying character information synthesized as image data as character string code data, and the extracted character string code data are combined or divided according to a conversion rule preset based on the arrangement rule, Character information conversion means for restoring the image-accompanying character information is provided.

In order to solve the above problems, the character information extracting method of the present invention is a character information extracting method for extracting character information contained in image data, wherein the image data is combined as image data in accordance with a predetermined arrangement rule. A character information extraction step of extracting the image-accompanying character information that is extracted as character string code data, and the extracted character string code data is combined or divided according to a conversion rule preset based on the arrangement rule, and the image-accompanying character And a character information conversion step of restoring as information.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the program of the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to execute the above-mentioned character information extraction method.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a storage medium of the present invention is characterized by storing the above program.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a character information extraction device and a character information extraction method, which exemplify the embodiments of the present invention as preferred embodiments, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic filing system for medical images. As shown in this figure, the electronic filing system includes a photographing device 1 for photographing a medical image, a filing device 2 for filing a photographed image, a terminal 3 for displaying a medical image, each photographing device 1, and a filing device 2. And an image transfer device 4 connected between them.

The imaging apparatus 1 includes an X-ray imaging apparatus, an X-ray tomography apparatus, a magnetic resonance image forming apparatus, an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus,
An electronic endoscope, a fundus camera, or the like, and photographed image data is input to the filing device 2 via the image transfer device 4 or a network such as a LAN.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing image data output by the photographing apparatus. As shown in this figure, in the imaging device 1, a single patient is normally imaged a plurality of times, and the taken images are output as image data G1 to G6, for example. At the time of photographing, a doctor or a photographing engineer inputs a plurality of types of image supplementary character information M such as name, sex, age, ID number, photographing region, photographing date and time, medical treatment subject, etc. into the photographing apparatus 1 as code data. The image-accompanying character information M is converted into a preset font, and a predetermined composite recording area K in each of the image data G1 to G6.
The image data is combined in (for example, four corners) in a state of overlapping with a part of the captured image. At this time,
Since the combined recording area K in the image data G1 to G6 is limited, the image capturing apparatus 1 performs a character string operation as described below according to a preset arrangement rule. (1) A predetermined type of image-accompanying character information M is divided and arranged in a plurality of composite recording areas K in a distributed manner. (2) The predetermined type of image supplementary character information M is divided and arranged in a plurality of lines in the same composite recording area K in a distributed manner. (3) Plural types of image supplementary character information M are combined and arranged in the same composite recording area K. The image supplementary character information M1 to M6 combined with the respective image data G1 to G6 is the same except for some information such as the serial number.

The terminal 3 is installed in an examination room, an operating room, an image reading room, a filing room, etc. of a medical facility, and is connected to the filing device 2 via a network such as a LAN. The terminal 3 includes a terminal body having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, a network adapter, and the like, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device such as a CRT monitor, and performs a predetermined search operation on the input device. Thus, the desired image data G can be taken out from the filing device 2 and displayed on the display device.

The filing device 2 includes a CPU, a RAM,
It comprises a filing device main body having a ROM, a hard disk, a network adapter, etc., an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device such as a CRT monitor. A filing program is stored in the hard disk. The program stores a filing function of associating the image data G with the image supplementary character information M and storing the filing image data G and the image supplementary character information M. The filing device 2 is provided with an image data search function for searching as a key and a data management function for managing the filed image data G and the image supplementary character information M.

The image transfer device 4 has an image transfer function and a character information extraction function (character information extraction device) for extracting image-accompanying character information M from the image data G.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing each means constituting the character information extracting function. As shown in this figure, the character information extraction function includes image data input means for inputting image data G, preprocessing means for performing preprocessing such as binarization on the image data G, and image supplementary characters from the image data G. A character recognition means (character information extraction means) for extracting the information M as character string code data, a post-processing means for post-processing the extracted character string code data, and a conversion of the extracted character string code data into a filing data format. It comprises a data converting means (character information converting means) for (restoring) and a data output means for delivering the converted image-accompanying character information M to the filing function.

In the character recognition means, character patterns of hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphabets, numbers and symbols to be combined with the image data G by each photographing device 1 are registered in advance, and the character patterns are registered on the image data G. By matching, the image additional character information M on the image data G
Is extracted as character string code data.

The post-processing means uses the character string code data extracted from the image data G1 to G6 by the character recognition means as shown in FIG.
When the recognition error or the erroneous recognition as shown in (1) is included, majority processing is performed on these character string code data in character units or character string units, and the character string code data is specified based on the processing result. In the drawings, "?" Is a recognition error character, which is replaced by the character recognition means. Further, “□” indicating a misrecognized character is added to the drawing for facilitating the description and is not included in the actual identification result data.

When the character string code data extracted from the image data G is divided or combined according to the arrangement rule of the photographing apparatus 1, the data converting means performs the conversion processing as shown below according to the preset conversion rule. I do. (1) The image-accompanying character information M in a divided state arranged in a plurality of combined recording areas K is combined. For example, in the case as shown in FIG. 5A, "the nth line character string of the combined recording area K1 and the nth line character string of the combined area K2 are combined to obtain the data 1
A conversion rule such as "set to" is preset. (2) The image-accompanying character information M in a divided state arranged in a plurality of lines in the same combined recording area K is combined. For example, in FIG.
In the case as shown in (B), a conversion rule such as "combining the n-th line character string of the combined recording area K1 and the n + 1-th line character string of the combined area K1 and setting it in the data 2" is set in advance. It (3) Dividing a plurality of types of image-accompanying character information M arranged in a combined state. For example, in the case as shown in FIG. 5C, "the numeric character string included in the n-th character string of the composite recording area K1 is set in the data 3 and the remaining character strings are set in the data 4".
A conversion rule such as "set to" is preset. Further, in the case as shown in FIG. 5D, “n in the composite recording area K1
A conversion rule such as "set a character string up to m digits included in the line character string in the data 5 and set the remaining character string in the data 6" is set in advance.

When the combined image-accompanying character information M is divided as described above, the division position is specified based on the digit position or the character type of the extracted character string code data. For example, when the fixed-length image supplementary character information M is combined, it is desirable to specify the division position of the character string code data based on the digit position. In this case, even if the same character types are combined. It is possible to accurately divide the image-accompanying character information M. On the other hand, when the image supplementary character information M having different character types are combined, it is desirable to specify the division position of the character string code data based on the character type. In this case, the variable length image supplementary character information M ( For example, even if names are combined, the image-accompanying character information M can be accurately divided.

Next, the processing procedure of the data converting means will be described with reference to the flowchart. As shown in FIG. 6, when the process starts, after the post-processed character string code data is input (S101), the variable r is set to the initial value "1" (S102). Then, the preset r-th conversion rule is read (S103), data conversion processing is executed based on the conversion rule (S104), and the result is set to the r-th data (S105). This series of processing is performed while incrementing the variable r (S106),
Repeat until all conversion rules are read (S1
07), and then output the converted data (S108)
Then, the process ends.

In the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the photographing apparatus 1 photographs a patient and outputs the photographed image as image data G. Image output character data M such as name and ID number is combined with the output image data G according to a predetermined arrangement rule. The image transfer device 4 inputs the image data G output from the photographing device 1, extracts the image supplementary character information M from the image data G by character recognition, and associates the image supplementary character information M with the extracted image supplementary character information M to generate the image data G. To file. The extracted image-accompanying character information M may include information that is divided based on the above-mentioned arrangement rule or information that is combined, but the image transfer device 4 uses the extracted character string code data as Since the data conversion means for combining or dividing in accordance with the conversion rule set in advance based on the arrangement rule and restoring as the image additional character information M is provided, the image additional character information M in the divided state or the combined state is accurately restored. You can file it.

Further, when the combined image-accompanying character information M is divided, the dividing position is specified based on the digit position or the character type of the extracted character string code data. If they are combined, the division position is specified based on the digit position, so that even if the same character types are combined, the image supplementary character information M
When the image supplementary character information M of different character types is combined, the variable length image supplementary character information M is combined by specifying the division position based on the character type. Accurately, the character information M attached to the image
Can be split.

Further, since the image transfer device 4 can extract various image supplementary character information M described in hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphabets, numbers, symbols, etc., it can be applied to various photographing devices 1. As a result, it is possible to promote electronic filing of medical images while utilizing the existing imaging device 1.

Since the image supplementary character information M includes information such as a name and an ID number by which the subject of the image data G can be identified, the image data G should be filed in association with the subject (patient). As a result, the searchability of the image data G can be improved.

Further, since the image transfer device 4 registers the character pattern used by each photographing device 1 in advance and recognizes the image-accompanying character information M included in the image data G based on the comparison with the character pattern, the photographing is performed. It is possible to accurately extract even the image-accompanying character information M that is superimposed on the image.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, although the image incidental character information included in the image data is extracted, the image incidental character information and the image data which are combined in the image data in the divided state are combined. It is now possible to accurately extract multiple image supplementary character information that is combined in the combined state.As a result, by using the image supplementary character information extracted from the image data as filing data, Electronic filing of image data can be promoted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic filing system for medical images.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing image data output by a photographing device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing each means constituting a character information extraction function.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the post-processing means.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the data conversion means.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a data conversion unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Imaging device 2 filing equipment 3 terminals 4 Image transfer device G image data M character information

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06T 1/00 200 G06T 1/00 200B 7/40 100 7/40 100A F term (reference) 5B029 BB02 CC30 5B050 AA02 BA15 BA20 DA01 EA03 FA19 GA08 5B064 AA07 5B075 ND07 NK31 PP02 PP03 PQ02 UU29 5L096 BA06 BA13 BA17 CA02 DA05 EA35 FA44 FA45

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A character information extracting apparatus for extracting character information contained in image data, wherein character information for extracting image-accompanying character information synthesized as image data into the image data according to a predetermined arrangement rule as character string code data. It is characterized by further comprising: an extraction unit; and a character information conversion unit that combines or divides the extracted character string code data according to a conversion rule preset based on the arrangement rule and restores it as the image-accompanying character information. Character information extraction device. 2. The character information extracting means extracts the image-accompanying character information combined with the image data in a divided state as character string code data, and the character information converting means extracts the plurality of extracted character string codes. The character information extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the data is combined in accordance with a preset conversion rule and restored as the image-accompanying character information. 3. The character information extracting means extracts a plurality of pieces of image-accompanying character information combined with the image data in a combined state as character string code data, and the character information converting means extracts the extracted character string code data. The character information extracting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character information is extracted according to a preset conversion rule and restored as a plurality of pieces of image-accompanying character information. 4. The character information extraction device according to claim 3, wherein the character information conversion means specifies the division position based on a digit position or a character type of the character string code data. 5. The character information extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the image-accompanying character information includes hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphabets, numbers and symbols. 6. The character information extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the image-accompanying character information includes information capable of identifying a subject of the image data. 7. The character information extraction means recognizes the image-accompanying character information combined with the image as character string code data based on a comparison with a character pattern registered in advance. 6. The character information extraction device as described in any one of 6. 8. A character information extracting method for extracting character information contained in image data, wherein character information for extracting image-accompanying character information synthesized as image data into the image data according to a predetermined arrangement rule as character string code data. An extraction step, and a character information conversion step of combining or dividing the extracted character string code data in accordance with a conversion rule set in advance based on the arrangement rule and restoring as the image-accompanying character information. Character information extraction method. 9. The character information extracting step extracts, as the character string code data, the image-accompanying character information combined with the image data in a divided state, and the character information converting step extracts the plurality of extracted character string codes. 9. The character information extracting method according to claim 8, wherein the data is combined according to a preset conversion rule and restored as the image-accompanying character information. 10. The character information extracting step extracts a plurality of pieces of image-accompanying character information combined with the image data in a combined state as character string code data, and the character information converting step extracts the extracted character string code data. 9. The character information extracting method according to claim 8, wherein the character information is extracted according to a conversion rule set in advance and restored as a plurality of pieces of image additional character information. 11. The character information extracting method according to claim 10, wherein the character information converting step specifies a division position based on a digit position or a character type of the character string code data. 12. The character information attached to the image is hiragana,
12. The character information extracting method according to claim 8, which includes katakana, kanji, alphabets, numbers and symbols. 13. The character information extracting method according to claim 8, wherein the character information includes information capable of specifying a subject of image data. 14. The character information extracting step is characterized in that the image-accompanying character information combined with the image is recognized as character string code data based on a comparison with a character pattern registered in advance. 13. The character information extraction method according to any one of 13 above. 15. A program for causing a computer to execute the character information extraction method according to claim 8. 16. A storage medium having the program according to claim 15 stored therein.