JP2003108925A - Character reader and character reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make automatically readable a character string on a slip stuck to a home delivery parcel. SOLUTION: In reading of the character string on the slip stuck to the home delivery parcel, a CCD camera relatively turning in the row direction of the character string is used. Using various image data obtained by rotation of the CCD camera, character recognition is carried out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character reading device and a character reading method for reading an address written on a voucher for home delivery, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a parcel to which a slip in which necessary information is written is attached is received at a store or the like, P
It is said that the input of the address as the destination of the courier to the OS system or the courier is manually performed by the input device equipped in the store, so it takes a long time to work and an input error occurs. There was a flaw.

Therefore, there is a demand for a device which can be imaged and input by a CCD camera or the like without causing the above-mentioned mistakes. That is, there is a demand for a device that can automatically read the character string of the slip attached to the courier.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a character reading device and a character reading method capable of automating the reading of a character string of an object to be read, for example, a slip attached to a courier service. .

[0005]

An apparatus of the present invention comprises a reading means for reading an object to be read, a character recognizing means for outputting a recognition result and a recognition rate for each character read by the reading means, and Judgment means for judging whether or not the overall recognition rate based on the recognition rates for a plurality of characters from the character recognition means has reached a predetermined value, and the overall recognition rate has not reached the predetermined value by this determination means. When it is determined that the reading position of the reading means relative to the object to be read is changed, and a plurality of characters from the character recognition means when the change is made by the changing means. When the total recognition rate based on the recognition rate has reached a predetermined value, the processing means determines whether the determination means determines whether the total recognition rate has reached a predetermined value. The above reading target And output means for outputting as a recognition result a read result from the character recognition means for.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A character reader according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, the character reading device is used as a part of a POS system at a convenience store, for example.

This character reading device is a slip (object to be read) pasted on a courier service 1 placed on a customer service table.
A CCD camera 2 for picking up an image of P, a turning mechanism 3 for turning the CCD camera 2, a character recognition device 4 for recognizing an address described on the slip P picked up by the CCD camera 2, and a character recognition device. 4, a character string evaluation unit 5 that evaluates the overall value of the recognition rate of the character string recognized by the control unit 4, a control unit 6 that controls the entire character reading device, and a rotation drive unit 7 that drives the rotation mechanism 3. A display unit 8 for displaying the reading result,
It is composed of an informing unit 9 for notifying the completion of reading and the like, and an instruction unit 10 for instructing the start of reading and for indicating the OK of the reading result displayed on the display unit 8.

The character recognition device 4 includes a binarization unit 11, an image memory 12, a character detection / cutout unit 13, a dictionary 14, and a recognition unit 15.
It is composed by. On the slip P, as shown in FIG. 2, an address and a name are written. Further, the telephone number may be described.

The binarizing unit 11 binarizes the image data taken by the CCD camera 2. The image memory 12 is a memory that stores the image data binarized by the binarization unit 11. The character detection / cutout unit 13 detects and cuts out characters in the name portion of the image memory 12 as a character pattern for each character. The dictionary 14 stores standard character patterns. The recognition unit 15 determines the character with the highest similarity as the recognition result by calculating the similarity between the character pattern from the character detection / cutout unit 13 and the standard character pattern of the dictionary 14, and uses the similarity at this time as the recognition rate. There is.

In the above example, the slip P on the home delivery service 1 is CCD.
Although the image data of the slip P is extracted by capturing the image from above by the camera 2, it is not always the case that the main scanning direction of the CCD camera 2 and the line direction of the character string on the slip P are the same. is not.

Therefore, there are many cases where the row direction of the character string on the slip P intersects the main scanning direction of the CCD camera 2 at a certain angle, that is, the skewed state. It is considered to be a thing.

The rotating mechanism 3 rotates the image pickup position of the CCD camera 2 in the row direction of the character string on the slip P. Thereby, the image data when the main scanning direction of the CCD camera 2 and the row direction of the character string on the slip P match can be imaged.

The character string evaluation unit 5 calculates a multiplication value of the recognition rate of the recognition result of each character and checks whether or not the calculated multiplication value is a predetermined value or more. further,
When the calculated multiplication value reaches a predetermined value, the character string evaluation unit 5 uses the recognition result of the character string as a reading result and the control unit 6
Is output to the control unit 6 when the calculated multiplication value is less than or equal to a predetermined value. When the calculated multiplication value reaches the predetermined value, the total recognition rate of the character string is high and the accuracy of the recognition result of each character is high, and the main scanning direction of the CCD camera 2 and the slip P on the slip P are high. The recognition is performed based on the image data when the line direction of the character string is almost the same.

Next, the reading of the character string of the address on the slip P in the above-mentioned structure will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the courier service 1 to which the slip P is attached is placed on the customer service table below the CCD camera 2, the instruction unit 10 gives an instruction to read the address.

Then, the CCD camera 2 captures an image of the slip P on the courier service 1 (ST1), and the captured image is binarized by the binarizing unit 11 in the character recognition device 4 and stored in the image memory 12. Remembered. As a result, the character detection / cutout unit 13 detects and cuts out the characters in the address portion of the image memory 12 to the recognition unit 15 as a character pattern for each character.

As a result, the recognition unit 15 calculates the similarity between the character pattern from the character detection / cutout unit 13 and the standard character pattern of the dictionary 14, and determines the character with the highest similarity as the recognition result. The similarity is used as the recognition rate, and the recognition result and the recognition rate are output to the character string evaluation unit 5 (ST2, 3).
This recognition processing is performed for all the characters in the character string of the above-mentioned name (ST4), and the character string evaluation unit 5 calculates a multiplication value of the recognition rates of the recognition results of all the characters (ST5). It is checked whether the multiplied value has reached a predetermined value (ST6). As a result, when the calculated multiplication value reaches a predetermined value, the character string evaluation unit 5 outputs the recognition result of the character string to the control unit 6 as a read result (ST7).

At this time, the control unit 6 notifies the notification sound by the notification unit 9 (ST8). Also, at this time,
The control unit 6 may display the reading result on the display unit 8 so that the reading result can be confirmed. Further, the control unit 6 may notify the completion of reading by displaying the reading result on the display unit 8.

In step 7, the character string evaluation unit 5
Outputs to the control unit 6 that the character string cannot be read when the calculated multiplication value is less than or equal to a predetermined value. As a result, the control unit 6 drives and controls the rotation drive unit 7, and the rotation mechanism 3 rotates the CCD camera 2 (ST9).

After that, the processes from step 1 are performed again.

As a result, the characters are read based on the image data each time the image pickup position of the CCD camera 2 is rotated little by little, and the main scanning direction of the CCD camera 2 and the character string on the slip P are read. A high total recognition rate can be obtained by the image data when the line directions substantially match. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the device confirms the recognition result has been described.

This embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the courier service 1 to which the slip P is attached is placed on the customer service table below the CCD camera 2, the instruction unit 10 gives an instruction to read the address.

Then, the CCD camera 2 captures an image of the slip P on the courier service 1 (ST11), and the captured image is binarized by the binarizing unit 11 in the character recognition device 4,
It is stored in the image memory 12. As a result, the character detection / cutout unit 13 detects and cuts out the characters in the address portion of the image memory 12 to the recognition unit 15 as a character pattern for each character.

As a result, the recognition unit 15 calculates the similarity between the character pattern from the character detection / cutout unit 13 and the standard character pattern of the dictionary 14, and determines the character with the highest similarity as the recognition result. The similarity is used as the recognition rate, and the recognition result and the recognition rate are output to the control unit 6 (ST12, 13). This recognition process is performed for all characters in the character string of the address (ST14). As a result, the control unit 6 displays the recognition result of the character string on the display unit 8 as shown in FIG.
(ST15). At this time, the recognition rate higher than the predetermined value and the recognition rate lower than the predetermined value are displayed in different colors (black and blue) so that they can be easily distinguished. Then, the control unit 6 confirms that the clerk on the basis of the above display allows the instruction unit 10 to accept.
(ST16), the recognition result of the character string at this time is taken as the reading result (ST17). In the display of step 15 above, when it is determined that the staff member has instructed NO in the instruction section 10 (ST16), the CCD camera 2 is rotated by the rotating mechanism 3 (ST18). Then, the process from step 11 is performed again.

As a result, characters are read based on the image data each time the image pickup position of the CCD camera 2 is rotated little by little, so that the main scanning direction of the CCD camera 2 and the character string on the slip P are read. It is possible to confirm the display of the recognition result using the image data when the line direction is substantially the same, and to instruct the reading result. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the display of step 15 may also display the read image together so that the read image and the display of the recognition result are compared and compared.

As described above, when the character string of the slip attached to the courier is read, the CCD camera that rotates relative to the row direction of the character string is used to rotate the CCD camera. Character recognition is performed using various image data obtained by. Thereby, the reading of the character string of the slip attached to the courier can be automated. It should be noted that in the above-described example, the relative change of the reading scanning position by the CCD camera with respect to the reading target is rotation, but it may be moved vertically and horizontally with respect to the reading target.

[0026]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a character reading device and a character reading method capable of automating the reading of a character string of a slip attached to an object to be read.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a character reading device for explaining an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a description example of a billing name of a slip.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an address reading process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an address reading process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a recognition result of a character string.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a recognition result of a character string.

[Explanation of symbols]

P ... Voucher, 1 ... Home delivery service, 2 ... CCD camera, 3 ... Rotation mechanism, 4 ... Character recognition device, 5 ... Character string evaluation unit, 6 ... Control unit, 7 ... Rotation drive unit, 8 ... Display unit, 9 ... Notification section, 10 ...
Instruction part, 11 ... Binarization part, 12 ... Image memory, 13 ... Character detection cut-out part, 14 ... Dictionary, 15 ... Recognition part.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A reading means for reading an object to be read, a character recognizing means for outputting a recognition result and a recognition rate for each character read by the reading means, and recognition of a plurality of characters from the character recognizing means. Judgment means for judging whether or not the overall recognition rate based on the rate has reached a predetermined value, and when the judgment means judges that the overall recognition rate has not reached the predetermined value, the reading target When the change means relatively changes the position of the reading means with respect to the object, and when the change means makes a change, the overall recognition rate based on the recognition rates of a plurality of characters from the character recognition means is predetermined. A processing means for judging by the judging means whether or not the value has reached, and a character recognizing means for the reading object when the judging means judges that the overall recognition rate has reached a predetermined value. Recognition result Character reader being characterized in that comprising an output means for outputting a read result. 2. A reading means for reading an object to be read, a character recognizing means for outputting a recognition result and a recognition rate for each character read by the reading means, and recognition of a plurality of characters from the character recognizing means. Judgment means for judging whether or not the overall recognition rate based on the rate has reached a predetermined value, and when the judgment means judges that the overall recognition rate has not reached the predetermined value, the reading target Changing means for changing the position of the reading means with respect to the object to be read by relatively rotating the row direction of the character string of the object and the main scanning direction of the reading means, and the change by the changing means. When judged, the processing means for judging by the judging means whether or not the comprehensive recognition rate based on the recognition rates for a plurality of characters from the character recognizing means has reached a predetermined value, and the judging means comprehensively A certain recognition rate Character reading apparatus when it is determined to have reached, characterized by comprising and output means for outputting as a recognition result a read result from the character recognition means with respect to the object to be read into. 3. A reading means for reading an object to be read, a character recognizing means for outputting a recognition result and a recognition rate for each character read by the reading means, and recognition of a plurality of characters from the character recognizing means. Judgment means for judging whether or not the overall recognition rate based on the rate has reached a predetermined value, and when the judgment means judges that the overall recognition rate has not reached the predetermined value, the reading target When the change means relatively changes the position of the reading means with respect to the object, and when the change means makes a change, the overall recognition rate based on the recognition rates of a plurality of characters from the character recognition means has a predetermined value. Processing means for judging by the judging means whether or not it has reached, and when the judging means judges that the overall recognition rate has reached a predetermined value, the character recognition means for the reading object Recognition result And output means for outputting a read result, when the read result by the output means is output, character reading apparatus characterized by comprising a notification means for notifying the reading end, the. 4. A reading means for reading on an object to be read, a changing means for relatively changing the position of the reading means with respect to the object to be read, and the reading means each time the relative position is changed by the changing means. A character recognition means for outputting the recognition result for each character read by, a display means for displaying the recognition result of a plurality of characters on the object to be read by the character recognition means, and a display means for displaying the result. When it is instructed that various information has been obtained, the character reading device is provided with a judging means for judging the recognition result by the character recognition means as a reading result. 5. A reading means for reading on an object to be read, a changing means for relatively changing the position of the reading means with respect to the object to be read, and the reading means each time the relative position is changed by the changing means. Character recognition means for outputting the recognition result and recognition rate for each character read by the character recognition means, and a state in which the display color of the recognition result of a plurality of characters by the character recognition means for the object to be read is changed according to the degree of each recognition rate And a determination means for determining the recognition result by the character recognition means as a reading result when it is instructed that necessary information is obtained according to the display of the display means. A character reading device characterized in that 6. The object to be read is read, the recognition result and the recognition rate for each character read by this reading are output, and the overall recognition rate based on the recognition rates for a plurality of characters reaches a predetermined value. If it is determined that the total recognition rate does not reach the predetermined value, the position of the reading with respect to the object to be read is relatively changed. When it is judged that the overall recognition rate based on the recognition rate for the characters has reached the predetermined value, the above-mentioned change is not made, and the overall recognition rate based on the recognition rates for the multiple characters has reached the predetermined value. When the determination is made, the recognition result for the object to be read is output as a reading result.