JP2006236053A - Handwritten information automatic totaling system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a handwritten information automatic totaling system improving recognition accuracy of a character to allow automatic data processing of a document read by an image reader. <P>SOLUTION: This handwritten information automatic totaling system has: a plurality of terminal devices each having an original document format production means producing an original document format having a prescribed entry frame; a server storing the plurality of original document formats produced by the plurality of terminal devices, and imparting an original document ID for identifying each the original document format; an output device forming the prescribed original document format stored in the server onto a recording paper sheet according to requirement of the plurality of terminal devices; and the image reader reading the original document ID in original document data entered according to the original document format and contents of the prescribed entry frame of the original document data. The server processes entry data of the prescribed entry frame according to the original document ID of the original document data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is an automatic scoring and counting system such as an automatic electronic registration system for application forms at a public office, etc., or a cram school, and at the time of image reading, a portion added by handwriting is extracted from an electronic original, and electronic data The present invention relates to a technique for performing processing according to the attributes of

JP-A-8-186672

  In recent years, computers have become widespread, and question papers and answer papers (hereinafter referred to as “question / answer papers”) for examinations conducted at schools, etc., and entry forms to be filled in during procedures at government offices, etc. are handled as electronic data. It has become. Specifically, a question / answer sheet and an entry form are created by a computer using word processor software, and the electronic data is stored in a hard disk or other storage medium of the computer. Then, if necessary, the electronic data of the question / answer sheet and the entry form is printed on a paper medium by the image forming apparatus via the word processor software and distributed to the examinee and the procedure person. These corrections can also be easily handled by correcting the electronic data through the word processor software.

  In the examination, the examinee writes the answer to the question in a predetermined column of the answer sheet, and the test is scored based on whether the answer is correct. In exams such as national exams, the number of test takers is large, and for those who score answer sheets, the work is not only a burden, but the scores may be wrong. In addition, scoring results such as the average score and deviation value of examinees must be obtained manually. Therefore, there is a need for a system that reads an answer sheet with an image reading device or the like and automatically performs scoring and counting by a computer.

  Therefore, the image of the question paper is read by the image reading means and stored in the image storage means, and the character / ruled line recognized by the character / ruled line recognition means is input to the question paper data registration means and the correct answer data input by the correct input means When the answer sheet is read, the problem recognizing means and the answer recognizing means recognize the problem and the answer, and the scoring means answers the answer. A digital copying machine having a scoring function and a question sheet registration function for comparing the correct answer registered in the correct answer registering means and scoring and outputting the result by the scoring result output means has been proposed (Patent Document 1). In this copying machine, a method of embedding a special code at the start position and end position is applied as a method for distinguishing between the problem area and the correct answer area. However, as the number of questions increases, it is necessary to embed a lot of code data on the answer sheet. There is a problem that the risk of misjudgment when an answer sheet is read increases due to dirt or missing code data.

  In addition, an entry form such as an application form to be filled in during administrative procedures in an administrative organization or the like fills in the required items in a predetermined entry column. Therefore, when managing several types of entry forms by applying the above-mentioned copying machine, a special code is embedded at the start position and end position of each entry section of each entry form, and handwritten in the entry section. A method of managing by reading the entered items can be considered. However, even in this case, if the number of entry fields increases, it is necessary to embed a lot of code data in the entry form, and it is erroneously determined when the entry form is read due to dirt or missing code data. In addition to this, there was a problem that the appearance of the entry form deteriorated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to improve handwriting information that can improve character recognition accuracy and automatically process a document read by an image reading apparatus. To provide an automatic counting system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the handwritten information automatic tabulation system of the present invention is created by a plurality of terminal devices including an original format creation means for creating an original format having a predetermined entry frame, and the plurality of terminal devices. A server for storing a plurality of original formats and giving an original ID for identifying each original format, and an output for forming a predetermined original format stored in the server on a recording sheet in accordance with requests from the plurality of terminal devices And an image reading device that reads the original ID in the original data entered according to the original format and the contents of a predetermined entry frame of the original data, and the server responds to the original ID of the original data according to the original ID of the original data. It is characterized by processing entry data in a predetermined entry frame.

  Here, the “original format” in the present invention refers to the original data in which the electronic data in the original format and the test questions having the answering column or the answer sheet having the predetermined entry frame formed on the recording sheet are not yet entered. Refer to the format. The “original data” refers to the original format written by hand in the entry frame of the original format formed on the recording sheet and the electronic data.

  In such a handwritten information automatic counting system of the present invention, the terminal device may be a general computer including a main body, a monitor, and a keyboard. As the monitor, a touch panel type that operates when a user touches a button displayed on the monitor with a finger can be applied.

  The original format creation means is capable of creating a test question (hereinafter simply referred to as “test question”) having an answer sheet and an answer column using a word processor software capable of editing characters, figures and the like. Preferably there is. As the word processor software, either software that is generally used or software dedicated to the present system may be applied.

  The entry frame designating means is not limited as long as it can designate an area to be subjected to OCR processing in the entry form created by the word processor software and the original format of the test question. For example, the upper left coordinates in the rectangular entry frame and It is preferable to apply a method of designating lower right coordinates, that is, two points in a diagonal relationship. In addition, when a touch panel monitor is applied, it is also possible to apply one in which a user designates a designated frame by touching an entry frame displayed on the monitor with a finger.

  The image reading apparatus is not limited to the original data, and may be any apparatus that can read an entry form or a test question original format previously formed on a recording sheet and convert it into electronic data. A scanner function provided in an image forming apparatus such as a scanner or a copying machine may be applied as the image reading apparatus.

  The original format storage unit for storing the original format created by the original format creation means is stored in the hard disk of each computer or in the computer in an operating environment in which a network is formed by connecting a plurality of computers. It is preferable to store the format in the server after temporarily storing it in a storage medium such as a floppy disk, a CD-R, or an MO that can write electronic data. Thus, the format can be set to be accessible from a plurality of computers. If necessary, an original can be formed on a recording sheet by the output device based on the original format stored in the original format storage unit.

  The original format storage unit needs to store a plurality of original formats. When storing the original format storage unit, each original format is stored with a file name so that a document file can be handled by a computer. You can do it. However, when each original format is encoded by the code assigning means described later, if the file name is directly encoded, the data amount of the code itself increases, and as a result, the capacity of the hard disk of the computer or the server becomes larger than necessary. Will end up using it. Therefore, it is preferable to provide an original ID storage unit for storing each original ID by attaching an original ID for identifying each original format separately from the file name of each original format. The original ID may be any number that can identify each original by assigning numbers in the order in which the original formats are stored in the original format storage unit, such as “0000” and “0001”. Further, the original ID is stored in the original format storage unit at the same time as the original format is automatically acquired, or after the original format is created by the original format creating means, the user sends the original ID to the server. By applying, it is possible to appropriately select one of the methods for obtaining the original ID.

  When designating the entry frame of each original format by the entry frame designating means, if a name indicating what the entry frame is to be filled in is given, it becomes a burden on the user. Therefore, it is preferable to provide an entry frame ID storage unit that attaches an entry frame ID that can identify each entry frame and stores each entry frame ID. At this time, the entry frame ID must be stored after clarifying to which original ID it belongs. The entry frame ID is, for example, “00”, “01”, “02” depending on the order designated by the entry frame designating unit or the position of the designated entry frame on the original. It is preferable to apply a method of automatically assigning an entry frame ID at the same time as the entry frame is designated by the entry frame designating means.

  When an entry frame is designated by the entry frame designation means, the position on the original entry frame corresponding to the entry frame ID must be stored in addition to the entry frame ID for the convenience of OCR processing. . Therefore, it is preferable to provide an entry frame position storage unit for storing the coordinates of the entry frame designated when the entry frame is designated by the entry frame designation means. At this time, the coordinates to be stored in the entry frame position storage unit are the coordinates of the four points (vertices) of the entry frame having a rectangular shape, preferably the coordinates of two points that are diagonally positioned in the entry frame. I just need it. Thus, by storing the position of the entry frame of the original in the entry frame position storage unit, the position of the entry frame of the original data can be specified when the original data is read by the image reading device. It is possible to improve the recognition accuracy of characters written in the entry box.

  In order to tabulate the information entered in the entry frame, some processing is required for the information depending on the purpose. Therefore, when the designated frame is designated by the entry frame designating means, a processing method storage unit for storing the processing method of the information entered in the entry frame may be provided, and the server may be programmed in advance. The processing method to be stored in the processing method storage unit may be set so as to total information in a total data storage unit described later. For example, for the name, address, occupation, and e-mail destination, the total data storage unit The name field, the address field, the occupation field, and the e-mail address field, and a method of sending a mail notifying the completion of registration to the e-mail address can be set.

  The code providing means stores the original ID in the original ID storage unit, and then forms a barcode, QR code, or the like that can identify the original ID when the original is formed on the recording sheet by the output device. The dimension code must be able to be given to the original format. Here, the entry frame ID corresponds to the original ID, and the entry frame position storage unit and the processing method storage unit respectively correspond to the entry frame ID. Therefore, if only the original ID is given to the original, when the original data is read by the image reading apparatus, it is possible to process the information written in the entry box belonging to the original ID by a pre-programmed processing method. It becomes.

  The total data storage unit must be capable of totaling information entered in each entry box and storing the total result according to the processing method stored in advance in the processing method storage unit. In this way, by providing the total data storage unit in the server, when the original data is read by the image reading device, a predetermined value of the original data is determined according to the processing method stored in the processing method storage unit. Information entered in the entry box is automatically aggregated and stored, and a database can be formed on the server.

  The original format storage unit, the original ID storage unit, the entry frame ID storage unit, the entry frame position storage unit, the processing method storage unit, the code assigning unit, and the total data storage unit are provided in the server. Each storage unit may be secured in a storage area of the hard disk of the server. The server is preferably a computer having a plurality of CPUs and hard disks as in a general server machine.

  The output device may be any device that can output an entry form or a test question from the original format stored in the original format storage unit, or a total result stored in the total data storage unit. The output device is preferably an image forming apparatus that employs either an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system.

  Since the present invention can process the handwritten information entered in the entry frame, it uses the original format having the entry frame filled in by handwriting, for example, when a test question is automatically scored. Can also be applied. Even in this case, a test question is created by the original format creation means, and an answer column for each question of the test question is designated by the entry frame designation means. However, in scoring, it is necessary to collate the answer to each question with the answer written by the answerer and check the correctness, and then score according to the score of each question. Therefore, it is preferable that the server includes an answer / scoring data storage unit that stores answers and scoring points for each question. As a result, when the original data of the test question is read by the image reading device, the handwritten answer entered in the answer column is collated with the answer stored in the answer / scoring data storage unit. After confirming, it becomes possible to score. Further, by storing the scoring results in the total data storage unit, a database of scoring results can be formed for each answerer.

  According to the handwritten information totalizing system of the present invention configured as described above, the character recognition accuracy can be improved, and the document read by the image reading apparatus can be automatically processed.

  The handwritten information automatic counting system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the handwritten information automatic tabulation system of the present invention. This system creates an original format and stores a plurality (three in the figure) of personal computers (terminal devices) 1 for designating entry frames in the original format and the original format created by the personal computer 1. A server 2 that totals original data according to a pre-programmed processing method, an original format created by the personal computer 1, or an output device 3 that forms the result totaled by the server 2 on a recording sheet, The image reading apparatus 4 is configured to read an original format formed on a recording sheet or original data entered by handwriting. The personal computer 1 and the server 2 are connected by an information communication network 10, and the output device 3 and the image reading device 4 are directly connected to the server 2 by a LAN cable or the like.

  In this system, the information communication network 10 can use, for example, a network using the TCP / IP protocol (Internet, intranet, extranet) or a network using other protocols. Further, the form of the information communication network 10 may be wired or wireless. Further, as the terminal device, in addition to the personal computer 1, a computer having another form of data communication function, for example, a workstation, a PDA (with data communication function), or the like can be applied. Regardless of which of these terminal devices is applied, it must be able to operate word processor software or dedicated software for creating an original. In this figure, the output device 3 and the image reading device 4 are connected to the server 2 separately. However, when a full-color multifunction device having a copy function and a scanner function is applied, a full-color composite device is used. It is possible to connect one machine to the server 2.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system applied as an output device in the present invention. In this schematic configuration diagram, the surface of the photoconductor is charged by a contact charger, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiation with a laser beam, and the xerographic engine that develops the electrostatic latent image with toner is yellow, magenta, cyan. 1 shows an overview of an IOT (image output terminal: image output unit) of a tandem color electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided for each color of black. In the figure, the image processing unit of the image forming apparatus is omitted.

  The IOT of this image forming apparatus includes four photoconductors 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K that rotate in the direction of arrow A in the figure, and contact chargers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K that charge the surface of each photoconductor. ROS (laser output units) 33Y, 33M, 33C for exposing the charged photoreceptor surfaces with exposure light modulated based on image information of each color and forming electrostatic latent images on the photoreceptors. 33K, developing units 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K that develop the electrostatic latent image on each photoconductor with each color developer to form a toner image on the photoconductor, and intermediate transfer each color toner image on the photoconductor Primary transfer devices 35Y, 35M, 35C, and 35K that transfer to the body belt 36, a secondary transfer device 37 that transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 36 to the recording paper P, and a toner image transferred to the recording paper P Fixer 3 for fixing A paper tray T for storing the recording paper P, a cleaner (not shown) for cleaning the surface of each photoconductor, a static eliminator (not shown) for removing residual charges on the surface of each photoconductor, and an intermediate transfer The belt cleaner 38 is configured to clean the surface of the body belt 36.

  As an image forming operation in the image forming apparatus shown in the configuration diagram, first, an original image signal read from a document by an image reading apparatus (not shown) or an external personal computer (not shown) is used. The created original image signal is input to an image processing unit (not shown). The input image signal is decomposed into image information of each color and then input to ROS (laser output units) 33Y, 33M, 33C, and 33K, and the laser beam L is modulated. The modulated laser beam L is applied to the surfaces of the photoreceptors 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K that are uniformly charged by the contact chargers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. When the laser beam L is raster-irradiated on the surface of each photoconductor, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the input image signal is formed on each photoconductor. Subsequently, the electrostatic latent images on the photoconductors are developed with toner by the color developing devices 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K, and toner images are formed on the photoconductors. The toner image formed on each photoconductor is transferred to the intermediate transfer body belt 36 by each primary transfer device 35Y, 35M, 35C, 35K. Each photosensitive member after the transfer of the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 36 is cleaned of the adhering matter such as the residual toner adhering to the surface by the cleaner, and the residual charge is removed by the static eliminator.

  Next, the toner image on the intermediate transfer body belt 36 is transferred onto the recording paper P sent from the paper tray by the secondary transfer device 37 and then transferred onto the recording paper P by the fixing device 39. The toner image is fixed and a desired image is obtained. The intermediate transfer belt 36 after the transfer of the toner image onto the recording paper P is cleaned of adhering matter such as residual toner attached to the surface by the belt cleaner 38, and one image forming operation is completed.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an image reading apparatus applied in the present invention. The image reading device 4 has an opening on its upper surface, and a platen glass 41 for mounting a document (not shown) is attached to the upper surface opening. On the platen glass 41, a document is placed at a predetermined position with an image to be read facing downward. A platen cover 42 for pressing the document onto the platen glass 41 is provided on the upper part of the image reading device 4 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  Further, inside the image reading device 4, a lamp 43 as an illuminating means for illuminating an image of a document (not shown) placed on the platen glass 41, and light emitted from the lamp 43 are efficiently used. A reflector 44 that condenses on the document surface, a full-rate mirror 45 that reflects the reflected light image from the document in the horizontal direction, and two half-rate mirrors 46 that reflect the reflected light image from the full-rate mirror 45 so as to be folded back, 47, an imaging lens 48 for reducing the reflected light image from the two half-rate mirrors 46, 47, a sagittal stopper 49 as a light shielding means, and an optical image formed by the imaging lens 48. There is provided a line image sensor 50 as a photoelectric conversion means comprising a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or the like for conversion into an electric signal. As the imaging lens 48, for example, a double Gauss type lens is used. As the CCD image sensor 50, a color CCD image sensor that reads a color image with three colors B (blue), G (green), and R (red) is used to read a color image.

  In this configuration, the lamp 43, the reflector 44, and the full rate mirror 45 are mounted on a full rate carriage (not shown), and the full rate carriage moves at a predetermined speed V along the sub-scanning direction. It is configured. The two half-rate mirrors 46 and 47 are mounted on a half-rate carriage (not shown), and the half-rate carriage is also half the speed 1/2 of the full-rate carriage along the sub-scanning direction. -It is configured to move at V. As a result, the document placed on the platen glass 41 is not changed in the optical path length by the lamp 43, the reflector 44, the full rate mirror 45, and the two half rate mirrors 46, 47 that move at a predetermined speed. The entire image is scanned and exposed on the CCD image sensor 50 through the imaging lens 48.

  When the original is read, the image of the original placed on the platen glass 41 is illuminated by the light emitted from the lamp 43 and collected by the reflector 44, and the reflected light image from the original is The image is reduced and imaged on the CCD image sensor 50 by the imaging lens 48 via the full rate mirror 45 and the half rate mirrors 46 and 47. At this time, a part of the reflected light image from the original which is reduced and formed on the CCD image sensor 50 by the imaging lens 48 is shielded by the sagittal stopper 49, and the CCD image sensor 50 is incident on each pixel. Photoelectric conversion is performed according to the intensity of light, whereby an image signal (RGB signal) corresponding to the original image is obtained.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the handwritten information automatic tabulation system of the present invention. The handwritten information automatic tabulation system in this figure is composed of an original format creation means 1a, an entry frame designation means 1b, a server 2, an output device 3, and an image reading device 4. Solid arrows in the figure show the data and the flow of work between these components. The flow of the original format P ₁ formed on the recording paper P, the original format with original ID P ₂ and the tabulation result table P _4, and the original data P ₃ written by hand in the original format with original ID P ₂ Are indicated by dotted arrows for convenience of distinction. The original data P _3A will be described in the second embodiment.

In this figure, the original format P ₁ corresponds to an entry form or a test question previously formed on the recording sheet P, which is not entered by handwriting in the entry frame or answer column, and is read by the image reading device 4. As a result, it is stored in the server 2 as an original format. The original format with original ID P ₂ is an entry sheet or a test question to which a code for identifying the original format is assigned when the original format is stored in the server 2. Applies to items that are not filled in. The original data P ₃ corresponds to data written in the entry frame of the original ID-added original format P _{2 on} the entry form. The original data P _3A corresponds to data written in the answer column of the original format P ₂ with original ID of the test question. The tabulation result table P ₄ corresponds to the tabulation result of the entry sheet formed on the recording sheet P or the result of scoring the test questions in a predetermined format.

  FIG. 5 shows details of the configuration of the server in the block diagram of FIG. The server 2 includes an original format storage unit 21, an original ID storage unit 22, an entry frame ID storage unit 23, an entry frame position storage unit 24, a processing method storage unit 25, a code providing unit 26, and a total data storage. The unit 27 and the answer / scoring data storage unit 28 are configured. The answer / scoring data storage unit 28 will be described in a second embodiment to be described later.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the process until the database is formed from the information in the entry frame of the original data. The partial diagram (a) shows the original data P ₃ in FIG. 4, and the original data P ₃ has four entry frames F ₀ , F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ , and a name field and an address field, respectively. , Occupation column and E-mail address column. Further, in the lower left of the original data P _3, the code C that is the two-dimensional code of the original ID is formed. In the partial diagram (b), the original ID of the original format stored in the server 2, the entry frame ID, the entry frame position (the coordinates of two points), and the processing method of the information in each entry frame are shown in a list. ing. In the partial diagram (c), the totaling result of the information in each entry frame totaled according to the processing method stored in the server 2 (processing method storage unit 25) is shown in a list as a database.

  The work flow by the user in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7 and FIGS. 5 and 6. First, in step S1, the user creates an original format by the original format creation means 1a (FIG. 5), and stores the original format in the original format storage unit 21 (FIG. 5). After the creation of the original format and the storage of the original format are completed, in step S2, an original ID is applied to the server 2 and the original ID of the created original format is acquired. At this time, the original ID of the original format is stored in the original ID storage unit 22 (FIG. 5). Thereafter, in step S3, the original ID data encoded in the original format into a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or a QR code is given by the code assigning means 26 (see FIG. 6 (a) code C). Next, in step S4, the user designates one entry frame that requires OCR processing among the entry frames on the original format by the entry frame designation means 1b (FIG. 5). A frame ID is assigned, the entry frame ID is stored in the entry frame ID storage unit (FIG. 5), and the position of the entry frame is stored in the entry frame position storage unit 24 (FIG. 5). Further, in step S5, the processing method of the information in the entry frame is programmed for the entry frame designated in step S4, and the programmed processing method is stored in the processing method storage unit 25 (FIG. 5). If the designated entry frame is to be added, the process returns to step S4 (step S6). If the designated entry frame is not added, the operation is terminated.

Thus, by performing the work shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the original format is stored in the original ID storage unit 22 as the original ID “0000” as shown in FIG. 6B (b). Remembered. The entry frames F ₀ , F ₁ , F ₂ , and F ₃ are stored in the entry frame ID storage unit 23 as entry frame IDs “00”, “01”, “02”, and “03”, respectively. The position of the input frames F ₀ having a rectangular shape, coordinates on the original vertex B of the upper left vertex A and the lower right in a rectangular entry frame F ₀ (see FIG. 6 partial diagram (a)) are " 100, 100 ”and“ 1800, 400 ”are stored in the entry frame position storage unit 24, and the entry frames F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ are similarly stored in the entry frame position storage unit 24 (FIG. 6). (b) See “Coordinate A” and “Coordinate B” columns). Further, the processing method of the information in the entry frame F ₀ is stored in the processing method storage unit 25 as “register in the database name field”, and the processing method storage unit is similarly applied to the entry frames F ₁ , F ₂ , and F _3. 25 (see the “processing method” column in FIG. 6B).

Next, when the original data P ₃ (FIG. 6 (a)) in which the original format is entered by handwriting is processed according to the processing method stored in the processing method storage unit 25, first, the original data P ₃ is processed. The data of the code C read by the image reading device 4 and formed in the original data P ₃ is collated with the original ID data stored in the original ID storage unit 22. In the case of the present embodiment, as a result of the collation, the read original data P ₃ is identified as the original ID “0000”, and the entry frame IDs “00”, “01”, “02”, “03” are identified. The handwritten information in the rectangular area surrounded by the two vertices of the coordinate A and the coordinate B in the diagonal positional relationship is processed according to each processing method and is aggregated as needed. The totaled results are stored in the total data storage unit 27, and a database is formed (see FIG. 6 (c)). For the original data P ₃ of this embodiment, information in the entry frames F ₀ , F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ is registered and stored in the name field, address field, occupation field, and e-mail address field of the database, respectively. Then, an e-mail notifying the completion of registration is transmitted to the e-mail destination registered in the e-mail destination column. Note that, when the aggregation result stored in the aggregation data storage unit 27 is formed on a recording sheet as the aggregation result table P ₄ (see FIG. 4), the aggregation data is sent to the output device 3.

  Subsequently, the flow of adding the information of the entry frame and updating the information of the original format with respect to the original whose information on the original format has already been stored in the server by the user using the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. To do. First, in step S <b> 11, the user inquires of the original ID from the personal computer 1 to the original ID storage unit 22 of the server 2. Then, original information corresponding to the inquired original ID is acquired from the server 2 (step S12).

  Here, the personal computer 1 confirms whether or not entry frame information has been added to the user (step S13). When adding entry frame information, in step S14, the user selects the personal computer 1 (entry frame designation means 1b). ) Designates one entry frame that requires OCR processing from among the entry frames on the original, and the position of the entry frame is stored in the entry frame position storage unit 24. Further, in step S15, the processing method of the information in the entry frame is programmed for the entry frame specified in step S14. The programmed processing method is stored in the processing method storage unit 25, and the process returns to step S13.

  On the other hand, if the information on the entry frame is not added, the personal computer 1 confirms whether or not the stored entry frame is corrected (step S21). If the entry frame is to be corrected, the user is checked in step S22. Corrects the stored entry frame (step S22). In step S23, the information in the entry box is updated, and the process returns to step S13. If there is no addition of entry frame information in step S13, and if there is no correction of the entry frame stored in step S21, the operation ends.

FIG. 9 schematically shows the process from the information in the entry frame of the original data of the test question in which the answer is entered until the test is automatically scored. The partial diagram (a) shows the original data P _3A in FIG. 4, and the original data P _3A has four entry boxes F ₀ , F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ , respectively. It is an answer column, a question 2 answer column, and a question 3 answer column. In addition, a code C obtained by converting the original ID into a two-dimensional code is formed at the lower left of the original data P _3A . The diagram (b) lists the original ID, entry frame ID, entry frame position (two-point coordinates) of the test questions stored in the server 2 and the information processing method in each entry frame. Is shown in In the partial diagram (c), the answers and points of each question stored in the server 2 (answer / score data storage unit 28) are shown in a list. In the partial diagram (d), the scoring result of each original data of the test questions scored according to the processing method stored in the server 2 (processing method storage unit 25) is shown in a list as a database.

  The flow of work by the user in the second embodiment of the present invention for automatically scoring answers to test questions will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and FIGS. First, in step S31, the user creates an original format of the test question using the original format creation means 1a (FIG. 5), and stores the original format of the test question in the original format storage unit 21 (FIG. 5). After the creation of the original test question format is completed, in step S32, the server 2 is requested to apply the original ID, and the original ID of the created original test question format is acquired. At this time, the original ID of the original format is stored in the original ID storage unit 22 (FIG. 5). Thereafter, in step S33, the original ID data encoded in the original format into a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or a QR code is given by the code assigning means 26 (see FIG. 9 (a) code C). Next, in step S34, the user uses the entry frame specifying means 1b (FIG. 5) to fill out the entry frame that requires OCR processing among the entry frames in the original format (in this embodiment, the answer is handwritten. If one entry (equivalent to the answer column) is specified, the entry frame is assigned an entry frame ID, the entry frame ID is stored in the entry frame ID storage unit (FIG. 5), and the position of the entry frame is entered. It is stored in the frame position storage unit 24 (FIG. 5). Further, in step S35, the processing method of the information in the entry frame is programmed for the entry frame specified in step S34, and the programmed processing method is stored in the processing method storage unit 25 (FIG. 5). Here, if the test question is composed of a plurality of questions, the process returns to step S34 (step S36), designation of an entry frame according to the number of questions (step S34), and programming of the processing method of the information in the entry frame (step S35) is repeated. After completing the specification of the entry boxes for all the questions, in step S37, the answer and the score of each question are stored in the answer / score data storage unit 28 (FIG. 5), and an answer / score database is created. Ends.

Thus, by performing the work shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the original format of the test question is stored as the original ID “0000” as shown in FIG. 9B (b). Stored in the unit 22. The entry frames F ₀ , F ₁ , F ₂ , and F ₃ are stored in the entry frame ID storage unit 23 as entry frame IDs “00”, “01”, “02”, and “03”, respectively. The position of the input frames F ₀ having a rectangular shape, coordinates on the original vertex B of the upper left vertex A and the lower right in a rectangular entry frame F ₀ (see FIG. 9 partial diagram (a)) are " 100, 100 ”and“ 1800, 400 ”are stored in the entry frame position storage unit 24, and the entry frames F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ are similarly stored in the entry frame position storage unit 24 (see FIG. Fig. 9 (b) "Coordinate A", "Coordinate B" column). Further, the processing method of the information in the entry frame F ₀ is stored in the processing method storage unit 25 as “register in the database name field”, and the processing method storage unit is similarly applied to the entry frames F ₁ , F ₂ , and F _3. 25 (see the “processing method” column in FIG. 9 (b)).

Next, the original data P _3A (FIG. 9 (a)) in which the original format of the test question is entered by handwriting, that is, the answer is entered, is processed according to the processing method stored in the processing method storage unit 25. In the case of automatically scoring based on the answer and the score stored in the answer / scoring data storage unit 28, first, the original data P _3A is read by the image reading device 4, and the code formed in the original data P _3A The C data and the original ID data stored in the original ID storage unit 22 are collated. In the case of the present embodiment, as a result of the collation, the read original data P _3A is identified as the original ID “0000”, and the entry frame IDs “00”, “01”, “02”, “03” are identified. The handwritten information in the rectangular area surrounded by the two vertices of the coordinate A and the coordinate B in the diagonal position relationship is processed according to each processing method. At this time, the entry frames F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ , that is, the handwritten information in the answer column, are registered in the answer column of each question in the database, and then the handwritten information in each answer column and the answer / score in advance. When the answer to each question stored in the data storage unit 28 (see FIG. 9 (c)) is verified and the answer is correct, each answer stored in the answer / scoring data storage unit 28 is also stored in advance. The question scoring (see FIG. 9 (c)) is entered in the scoring field of the database, whereas if it is incorrect, “0” (zero) is entered in the scoring field of the database. Then, after scoring is entered in the scoring column of the last question (question 3 in this embodiment), the total score is further calculated from the scores entered in each scoring column. The results scored in this way are stored in the total data storage unit 27 and a database is formed (see FIG. 9 (d)). Therefore, for the original data P _3A of this embodiment, the scoring results of the test questions are stored for each answerer based on the information in the entry frames F ₀ , F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ . Note that, when the aggregation result stored in the aggregation data storage unit 27 is formed on a recording sheet as the aggregation result table P ₄ (see FIG. 4), the aggregation data is sent to the output device 3.

  As described above, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, when the completed or answered original is read by the image reading device 4, only the area of the entry frame designated in advance is read. Since the OCR process is performed, handwritten data, that is, data other than the electronic data in the entry box is not stored in the total data storage unit 27. Therefore, in totaling or scoring information in the entry frame in each original, it is possible to minimize the use area of the storage area of the total data storage unit 27. In addition, since the OCR process is performed only on the handwritten data in the area of the entry frame designated in advance, the recognition accuracy of characters in the entry box can be improved. Furthermore, since the processing method of the information in each entry frame is programmed in advance and the processing method is stored in the processing method storage unit 25, the information in each entry frame can be automatically aggregated and scored. It becomes possible.

  The systems of the first and second embodiments of the present invention are configured by forming an information communication network by a plurality of personal computers and servers. Therefore, in the first embodiment, in the department of the government office, a plurality of personal computers used by each department member and a server are connected by an information communication network, and an output device and an image reading apparatus are connected to the server. Connect and apply. In this case, each department member can create an entry form with his / her personal computer, store the electronic data of the entry form in a server, and form the entry form on a recording form as required by the output device. It is also possible to read the handwritten entry form by the image reading device, store the information handwritten on the entry form as electronic data in the server, and automatically add the handwritten information. In addition, since both the entry form and the handwritten information entered on the entry form are handled as electronic data, a storage space is not required as in the case of saving the form as paper, and paperlessness can be promoted.

  Further, in the second embodiment, in the school staff room, a plurality of personal computers used by each teacher and a server are connected by an information communication network, and an output device and an image reading device are connected to the server. And can be applied. In this case, each faculty member creates test questions on his / her personal computer, stores electronic data of the test questions in the server, and records the test questions on the recording device using the output device as many times as necessary when conducting the test. Can be formed. Then, a test question in which the answer of each question is entered is read by the image reading device, and information on each answer is stored in the server as electronic data, and automatically based on the answer and the score of each question stored in the server in advance. Can be scored. In addition, both the test questions and the answer information entered in the test questions can be handled as electronic data. From the scoring results, the average score and standard deviation, and further, the scoring results of each subject are stored in one tabulation result table. It is possible to create a gradebook.

It is a figure showing the schematic diagram of the handwritten information automatic tabulation system of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method applied as an output device in the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration diagram of an image reading apparatus applied in the present invention. It is a block diagram of the handwritten information automatic tabulation system of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of a structure of the server in the block diagram of FIG. It is the figure which shows diagrammatically until a database is formed from the information in the entry frame of original data. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the operation | work by the user in 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart regarding processing of an original format in updating the original format. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the process from the information in the entry frame of the original data of the test questions until the test is automatically scored. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the operation | work by the user in 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a ... Original format creation means, 1b ... Entry frame designation means, 2 ... Server, 21 ... Original format storage part, 22 ... Original ID storage part, 23 ... Entry frame ID storage , 24... Entry frame position storage unit, 25... Processing method storage unit, 26... Code giving means, 27... Total data storage unit, 28. ... Output device, 4 ... Image reading device

Claims (3)

A plurality of terminal devices having original format creation means for creating an original format having a predetermined entry frame, and a plurality of original formats created by the plurality of terminal devices, and originals for identifying each original format A server for assigning an ID, an output device for forming a predetermined original format stored in the server in accordance with requests of the plurality of terminal devices on a recording sheet, the original ID in the original data entered according to the original format, and An image reading device that reads the contents of a predetermined entry frame of the original data,
The server processes the entry data of the predetermined entry frame according to the original ID of the original data. The terminal device includes an entry frame designating unit for designating the entry frame when creating the original format,
The server stores an original format storage unit that stores the original format, an original ID storage unit that stores the original ID, and stores the original format on a recording sheet by the output device in the original ID storage unit. Code providing means for assigning the code of the original ID to the original format, an entry frame ID storage unit for storing an entry frame ID for identifying an entry frame of the original format for each original format, and the entry frame An entry frame position storage unit that stores the position of the entry frame every time, a processing method storage unit that stores a processing method of entry data of the entry frame for each entry frame, and a process stored in the processing method storage unit And a total data storage unit for storing data totaled by processing the input data of the input frame based on the method, Strokes rollup system according to claim 1 that. In the case where the original format is a test question in which an answer is written in a predetermined entry frame,
The handwritten information automatic tabulation system according to claim 2, wherein the server includes an answer / scoring data storage unit.

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