JP2021135670A - Information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce the burden of a user in defining the contents of common items out of items read from multiple kinds of documents, as compared with a case of defining each item for each document.SOLUTION: A processor 18 associates common definition data defining the contents of items common to a plurality of documents, out of items to be read in the documents, and individual definition data defining the contents of items by document, out of the items to be read in the documents, for each document, with document data representing the documents.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and a program.

A technique for reading a document and performing character recognition is known.

In Patent Document 1, the item name of the form and the logical layout information of the entry frame are defined, and the relative positional relationship of the frame area extracted from the image of the form is compared with the physical layout information to obtain the item name of the form image and the logical layout information. A device that identifies a frame area corresponding to an entry frame and at least recognizes characters in the frame area identified as an entry frame is described.

In Patent Document 2, a quadrangle circumscribing a series of white pixels is extracted from the image data of the input form, a quadrangle having a size equal to or larger than the threshold value is determined as an entry frame, and the physics of the items obtained from the determined entry frame. A device for determining the type of entry frame by collating the standard arrangement relationship with the definition information is described.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-207981 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 06-119491

By the way, the contents of items to be read from the document may be defined in advance by the user, and the document may be read according to the definition. In this case, it is conceivable to define the contents of the items to be read separately for each document for a plurality of types of documents. However, in such a definition method, it is necessary to redefine the definition common to a plurality of types of documents for each document, and the burden on the user increases as the types of documents increase.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden of operations at the time of user definition as compared with the case where the contents of common items among the items read from a plurality of types of documents are defined separately for each individual document. It is in.

The invention according to claim 1 has a processor, and the processor includes common definition data that defines the contents of items common to a plurality of documents among items read in a document, and items read in a document. It is an information processing device that associates individual definition data, which individually defines the contents of items for each document, with document data representing the document for each document.

The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the individually defined data is data that defines the layout of the item in a document.

The invention according to claim 3 defines a plurality of different common definition data and a plurality of different individual definition data, and the processor is included in a document to be linked in the plurality of common definition data. The common definition data that defines the content of the item corresponding to the item and the individual definition data that defines the layout corresponding to the layout of the document to be linked among the plurality of individual definition data are linked. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing device is associated with document data representing a target document.

The invention according to claim 4, wherein the processor further displays the contents of common items read in a plurality of documents, according to any one of claims 1 to 3. It is an information processing device.

In the invention according to claim 5, the processor further displays the plurality of documents on a display device, and distinguishes the contents of the common item from the contents of other items in the plurality of documents. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the information processing device is displayed on a display device.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, when the common definition data is edited, the processor further reflects the editing in each document associated with the common definition data. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 5.

The invention according to claim 7 includes common definition data that defines the contents of items that are common to a plurality of documents among the items that can be read in a document by a computer, and items that are individually read for each document among the items that can be read in the document. It is a program that associates the individual definition data that defines the contents of the document with the document data that represents the document for each document.

According to the inventions of claims 1 and 7, the operation at the time of user definition is compared with the case where the contents of common items among the items read from a plurality of types of documents are defined separately for each individual document. The burden on the user can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 2, the layout of items can be defined for each document.

According to the invention of claim 3, the common definition data and the individual definition data can be associated with the document data.

According to the invention of claim 4, the user can inform the user of the contents of items common to a plurality of documents.

According to the invention of claim 5, the content of a common item in a plurality of documents can be distinguished from the content of other items and notified to the user.

According to the invention of claim 6, the editing is reflected in the common definition data of each document without editing the common definition data for each document.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the document definition data which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a form, common definition data and individual definition data. It is a figure which shows the definition data which concerns on a comparative example. It is a figure which shows the screen. It is a figure which shows the screen. It is a figure which shows a form and common definition data. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the document definition data which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the document to be linked and the individual definition setting screen. It is a figure which shows the common definition setting screen. It is a figure which shows the edit screen. It is a figure which shows the screen.

<First Embodiment>
The hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

The information processing device 10 is a device used for creating document definition data which is data for defining the contents of items read from a document, and is, for example, a desktop or notebook type personal computer, workstation, or tablet terminal. , A smartphone, a scanner, a multifunction device (for example, a device including a scanner and a printer), a digital camera, or the like. For example, document definition data is used to read a document and perform character recognition (for example, OCR (Optical Character Recognition)).

Here, the document definition data will be described. The document definition data is data in which document data, which is data representing a document, common definition data, and individual definition data are associated with each other. More specifically, a frame is extracted from the document data, and the document definition data is created by associating the frame data, which is the data representing the frame, the common definition data, and the individual definition data. The frame is an area surrounded by lines and symbols (for example, symbols such as parentheses), and for example, an area where characters and the like are expected to be entered (for example, an entry field described in a form and the like). ) And areas where characters are not expected to be entered. The information processing device 10 links the information processing device 10.

The type and format of document data are not particularly limited. The concept of document data includes, for example, image data representing a document, text data, document data created by word processor software, spreadsheet data created by table calculation software, data displayed by a web browser, and the like. Is done.

The common definition data is data that defines the contents of common items among the items that can be read in a plurality of documents. The items read in the document are items that are subject to character recognition processing such as OCR processing, that is, items in which characters, symbols, and the like are read by the character recognition processing. For example, the item to be read corresponds to the frame in the document. Specifically, the common definition data is the name of the item to be read, the type of dictionary of the item to be read (for example, alphanumeric characters, numbers, company names, and other general dictionaries, which are dictionaries used for character recognition processing. Type) and data that defines the format of the item to be read (for example, the format of characters, numbers, etc.). These are only examples, and other than these, contents common to a plurality of documents may be defined in the common definition data.

The individual definition data is data that individually defines the contents of the items for each document among the items that can be read in the document. For example, individually defined data is data that defines the layout of items in a document. Specifically, the individually defined data is applied to the layout of the frame extracted from the document (for example, the position in the document), the type of the frame, and the type of the dictionary used in the character recognition process (for example, handwriting). It is data that defines dictionaries, dictionaries applied to print, etc.). In addition, the setting of the reading mask, the certainty threshold value, and the like may be defined in the individually defined data. As described above, the items extracted from the document correspond to the items to be read, and the layout of the frame corresponds to the layout of the items corresponding to the frame (for example, the position in the document). The position of the frame may be determined by the absolute coordinates in the document, or may be the relative position between the frames. The type of dictionary defined by the individually defined data is the type of dictionary not defined by the common definition data. These are only examples, and other than these, the contents of items to be individually defined for each document may be defined in the individually defined data. For example, the contents of items that are not common among a plurality of documents may be defined in the individually defined data for each document.

As described above, the common definition data and the individual definition data are used as the definition data. For example, the name of an item common to a plurality of documents is defined in the common definition data, and the layout of the item is defined in the individual definition data for each individual document. For example, the name of the item to be read is common to a plurality of documents, but the layout of the item may be different for each document. To explain with a specific example, if both documents A and B have a column in which a name is entered, that column corresponds to an item common to documents A and B, and the name is document A. , B corresponds to the common item name. On the other hand, the layout of the column may be different between the documents A and B, as described in the upper part of the document A and in the lower part of the document B. In this way, the names of the items to be read are common to the documents A and B, but the layout of the items may differ between the documents A and B. In this case, the name of the item is defined in the common definition data common to the documents A and B, and the layout of the item in the document A is defined in the individual definition data of the document A, and the layout of the item in the document B is defined. The layout is defined in the individually defined data of document B. That is, the layout of the item is defined in separate individually defined data.

In the document definition data, a plurality of different common definition data and a plurality of different individual definition data may be associated with the frame data.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 10 includes, for example, a communication device 12, a UI 14, a memory 16, and a processor 18. The information processing device 10 may include configurations other than these. For example, when the information processing device 10 is a multifunction device, the information processing device 10 may include a scanner and a printer.

The communication device 12 is a communication interface (for example, a network interface or the like) having a communication chip or the like, and has a function of transmitting data to another device and a function of receiving data transmitted from the other device.

The UI 14 is a user interface and includes at least one of a display device and an operating device. The display device is a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or the like. The operation device is a keyboard, an input key, an operation panel, or the like. The UI 14 may be a UI such as a touch panel having both a display device and an operation device.

The memory 16 is a device that constitutes one or a plurality of storage areas for storing data. The memory 16 is, for example, a hard disk drive, various types of memory (for example, RAM, DRAM, ROM, etc.), other storage devices (for example, optical disk, etc.), or a combination thereof.

The processor 18 is configured to control the operation of each part of the information processing device 10. Processor 18 may include memory. The processor 18 is configured to associate the common definition data and the individual definition data with the frame data for each document.

Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 10.

The common definition creation unit 20 is configured to create common definition data common to a plurality of documents. For example, when the name of the item to be defined in the common definition data, the type of the dictionary, the format, and the like are specified by the worker, the common definition creation unit 20 creates the common definition data that defines them. In addition, the common definition creation unit 20 may edit, delete, or select the created common definition data. The common definition creation unit 20 may create a plurality of different common definition data.

The common definition storage unit 22 is configured to store the common definition data created by the common definition creation unit 20. For example, the common definition data is stored in the common definition storage unit 22 in association with the common definition identification information, which is information for identifying the common definition data.

The individual definition creation unit 24 is configured to create individual definition data for each document. For example, when the layout of the frame to be defined in the individual definition data (that is, the layout of the items corresponding to the frame), the type of the frame, the type of the dictionary, etc. are specified by the worker, the individual definition creation unit 24 , Create individual definition data that defines them. For example, the individual definition identification information, which is the information for identifying the individual definition data, is associated with the individual definition data. The individual definition creation unit 24 may create a plurality of different individual definition data.

The document receiving unit 26 is configured to receive document data. For example, when a document is read by a scanner or the like, image data representing the document is created, and the document receiving unit 26 receives the image data. Of course, the document receiving unit 26 may accept document data having a format other than the image data.

The frame extraction unit 28 is configured to extract a frame included in the document represented by the document data from the document data received by the document reception unit 26 and create frame data which is data representing the frame. .. As a technique for extracting the frame, for example, a known technique is used.

The frame identification unit 30 is configured to identify a frame for each document to be linked with the document definition data. The identification of the frame is to identify the frame corresponding to the item defined by the common definition data and having the layout defined by the individually defined data. For example, the frame identification unit 30 determines a layout corresponding to the layout of the frame extracted from the document data to be linked (for example, a layout that matches the layout of the extracted frame) from a plurality of different individually defined data. Specify the individual definition data to be defined, and from among multiple different common definition data, select the item corresponding to the item included in the document represented by the document data to be linked (for example, the item that matches the item included in the document). Specify the common definition data to be defined. The frame may be identified by an operator.

The document definition creation unit 32 is configured to create document definition data by associating the frame data of the document data to be linked with the common definition data and the individual definition data specified by the frame identification unit 30. ing.

The document definition storage unit 34 is configured to store the document definition data created by the document definition creation unit 32. For example, the document definition identification information, which is the information for identifying the document definition data, is associated with the document definition data.

The common definition data itself included in the document definition data is stored in the common definition storage unit 22, and information for referring to the common definition data (for example, common definition identification information) is included in the document definition data. It may be stored in the definition storage unit 34. That is, the frame data, the common definition identification information, and the individual definition data may be linked and stored in the document definition storage unit 34. In this case, by referring to the common definition identification information, the common definition data associated with the combination of the frame data and the individual definition data can be specified, and the common definition data can be acquired from the common definition storage unit 22. can.

The common definition creation unit 20, the individual definition creation unit 24, the document reception unit 26, the frame extraction unit 28, the frame identification unit 30, and the document definition creation unit 32 are realized by the processor 18. The memory 16 may be used in the realization. Further, the common definition storage unit 22 and the document definition storage unit 34 are realized by the memory 16.

Hereinafter, the processing by the information processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart showing the process.

First, it is determined whether or not the common definition data is created (S01). This determination is made by the processor 18.

When the common definition data is created (S01, Yes), the common definition data is selected (S02). For example, one or more common definition data may be displayed on the display device of the UI 14, and one or more common definition data may be selected by the operator, or one or more common definition data may be selected by the processor 18. May be good. The created common definition data is stored in the common definition storage unit 22.

If the common definition data has not been created (S01, No), the common definition data is created (S03). For example, the common definition creation unit 20 creates one or a plurality of common definition data that define the contents specified by the worker. The created common definition data is stored in the common definition storage unit 22.

In addition, the individual definition creation unit 24 creates individual definition data (S04). For example, the individual definition creation unit 24 creates one or a plurality of individual definition data that define the contents specified by the worker.

Next, the document receiving unit 26 receives the document data to be linked (S05).

Next, the frame extraction unit 28 creates frame data, which is data representing the frame, by extracting the frame from the document data to be linked (S06).

Next, the frame identification unit 30 performs a process of identifying the frame, and based on the common definition data, the individual definition data, and the frame data, the frame identification unit 30 and the common definition data linked to the frame data of the document data to be linked. Identify the individually defined data (S07).

Next, the document definition creation unit 32 links the frame data extracted from the document data to be linked with the common definition data and the individual definition data specified by the frame identification unit 30 to link the document definition data. Create (S08). This document definition data is stored in the document definition storage unit 34.

Here, the structure of the document definition data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure.

Here, the common definition data 36 and the individual definition data 38 are created. When the document data 40 to be linked is accepted and the frame is extracted from the document data 40, the frame data 42 which is the data representing the frame is created. By identifying the frame, the common definition data 36 and the individual definition data 38 associated with the frame data 42 are specified. Then, the document definition data 44 is created by associating the frame data 42, the common definition data 36, and the individual definition data 38.

Hereinafter, the common definition data will be described with specific examples. Here, as an example, a specific example will be described by taking a form as an example of a document as an example.

For example, when the form is an invoice, one or more items shown below are items that can be read from the form and can be defined in the common definition data.
1. 1. Invoice number: alphanumeric, dictionary [alphanumeric], 10 digits 2. Product name: Character string, dictionary [general]
3. 3. Amount: Number (amount), dictionary [number]
4. Business partner name: Character string, dictionary [company name]
5. Quantity: numbers, dictionaries [numbers]
6. Payment delivery date: date, dictionary [date]

[1. Invoice number], [2. Product name], [3. Amount], [4. Business partners], [5. Quantity] and [6. Payment delivery date] is an example of the name of the item to be read. In this form, [1. Invoice number], [2. Product name], [3. Amount], [4. Business partners], [5. Quantity] and [6. Each entry field of [Payment delivery date] is described, and it is assumed that characters, symbols, etc. are entered in each entry field. The entry fields for each item are composed of frames. That is, the inside of the frame corresponds to the entry field. The layout of the frame is defined in the individually defined data. The type of dictionary for each item is an example of the type of dictionary used in the character recognition process. For example, the dictionary [alphanumeric characters] is a dictionary specialized for alphanumeric characters. Character strings and numbers are examples of the format of the content to be read. In addition, the number of characters and the number of digits are defined.

For example, items in the form [1. The input field of [Invoice number] is an input field where 10-digit alphanumeric characters are expected to be entered. Since it is assumed that alphanumeric characters will be entered, a dictionary specializing in alphanumeric characters will be available in the item [1. Invoice number] is defined. In addition, item [2. The input field of [Product name] is an input field where a character string is expected to be entered. Since it is assumed that a character string is entered, a general dictionary has an item [2. Product name] is defined. The same applies to other items. For example, the name of each item, the dictionary to be used, the format, and the like are defined by the worker, and the common definition creation unit 20 creates common definition data representing the definition.

Hereinafter, the individually defined data will be described with reference to specific examples.

For example, [1. The input field for [Invoice number] is described, and [4. Customer name], [2. Product name], [5. Quantity] and [3. Each input field of [Amount] is described in that order, and [6. It is assumed that the input field of [Payment delivery date] is described. In this case, the layout of each item in this form is defined as follows.
1 {type, ladder frame}
4 {type, text frame} & 2 {handwriting, text frame} & 5 {handwriting, text frame} & 3 {handwriting, ladder frame}
6 {type, text frame}

For example, items in the form [1. The input field of [Invoice number] is an input field described in the first line, and is an input field in which alphanumeric characters are expected to be handwritten. The "ladder frame" is an example of the frame format. For example, by connecting a plurality of frames, one frame is configured as a whole, and the one frame is defined as a "ladder frame". Item [1. The input field of [Invoice number] is an input field composed of a ladder frame, and is an input field where alphanumeric characters are expected to be written by hand. The "text frame" is an example of the frame format, and is, for example, a frame composed of only one frame. For example, the type or handwriting format, the frame format, and the like are defined by the worker, and the individual definition creation unit 24 creates individual definition data representing the definition.

Hereinafter, the common definition data and the individual definition data will be described in detail with reference to specific examples of forms. FIG. 5 shows an example of a form, common definition data, and individual definition data. In FIG. 5, forms A, B, and C are shown as an example. Items [1. Invoice number], item [2. Product name] and item [3. Each input field of [amount] is formed.

The individual definition data 46 is the individual definition data of the form A, the individual definition data 48 is the individual definition data of the form B, and the individual definition data 50 is the individual definition data of the form C. The individual definition data 46, 48, and 50 are different individual definition data.

In each individually defined data, the item [1. Input field of [Invoice number], item [2. Input field of [Product name] and item [3. The layout (for example, the coordinates in the form), the frame format, and the character format are defined for each of the input fields of [Amount].

For example, the item in Form A [1. The layout of the input field of [Invoice number] (for example, the coordinates in Form A), the format of the frame of the input field is "ladder frame", and the format of the characters is "handwritten" format. It is defined in the individual definition data 46. The same applies to other items. The same applies to the individually defined data 48 and 50.

The common definition data 52 is data that defines common contents among the items read in the forms A, B, and C. Items [1. Invoice number], item [2. Product name] and item [3. Each input field of [Amount] is described, and the name of each item, the dictionary used for each item, the format, etc. are common among the forms A, B, and C. For example, in forms A, B, and C, item [1. It is assumed that 10-digit alphanumeric characters are entered in the input field of the invoice number], and it is assumed that a dictionary specialized for alphanumeric characters is used in the character recognition process. Since these contents are common to the forms A, B, and C, these contents are defined in the common definition data 52 of the forms A, B, and C. Item [2. Product name] and item [3. The same applies to [amount].

The form definition data 54 is the document definition data of the form A. That is, the form definition data 54 is definition data in which the frame data representing the frame extracted from the form A, the individual definition data 46, and the common definition data 52 are linked.

The form definition data 56 is the document definition data of the form B. That is, the form definition data 56 is definition data in which the frame data representing the frame extracted from the form B, the individual definition data 48, and the common definition data 52 are linked.

The form definition data 58 is the document definition data of the form C. That is, the form definition data 58 is definition data in which the frame data representing the frame extracted from the form C, the individual definition data 50, and the common definition data 52 are linked.

For example, the frame identification unit 30 identifies the individual definition data 46 that defines a layout that matches the layout of each frame extracted from the form A from the individual definition data 46, 48, 50. Further, the frame identification unit 30 identifies the common definition data 52 that defines the items that match the items in the form A from among the plurality of different common definition data. For example, the frame identification unit 30 extracts a character string indicating the name of each item in the form A by executing a character recognition process on the document data representing the form A, and extracts the item with the extracted name. The common definition data 52 to be defined is specified. Then, the document definition creation unit 32 associates the individual definition data 46 and the common definition data 52 with the frame data which is the data representing each frame extracted from the form A. Of course, the worker may associate the individual definition data 46 and the common definition data 52 with the frame data of the form A. The same applies to forms B and C.

The frame data of the form A, the common definition identification information which is the information for identifying the common definition data 52, and the individual definition data 46 are associated with each other and stored in the document definition storage unit 34. Similarly, the frame data of the form B, the common definition identification information of the common definition data 52, and the individual definition data 48 are associated with each other and stored in the document definition storage unit 34. Similarly, the frame data of the form C, the common definition identification information of the common definition data 52, and the individual definition data 48 are associated with each other and stored in the document definition storage unit 34. The common definition data 52 is stored in the common definition storage unit 22.

For example, when characters, symbols, etc. are entered in the form A by the writer and character recognition processing such as OCR processing is performed on the completed form A, the form definition data 54 is used in the character recognition processing. .. Specifically, the common definition data 52 stored in the common definition storage unit 22 and identified by the common definition identification information associated with the frame data of the form A, and the document definition storage. Character recognition processing is performed on the completed form A by using the individual definition data 46 stored in the unit 34 and associated with the frame data of the form A. For example, regarding the completed form A, the item [1. The position of the input field of the invoice number], the frame format, the character format, etc. are specified from the definition contents of the individual definition data 46, and the item [1. Invoice number] is subjected to character recognition processing using a dictionary specialized for alphanumeric characters according to the definition contents of the common definition data 52. The same applies to forms B and C.

As described above, the common definition data 52 is shared by the form definition data of each form. For example, when the common definition data 52 is edited by the common definition creation unit 20, the document definition creation unit 32 edits the edits for each form (for example, forms A, B, C) associated with the common definition data 52. Reflect in. Specifically, the document definition creation unit 32 reflects the editing in the form definition data 54, 56, 58 including the common definition identification information of the common definition data 52. That is, since the form definition data 54, 56, 58 are associated with the common definition identification information of one common definition data 52, when the common definition data 52 is edited, the form definition data 54, 56, 58 are used. Editing for the common definition data 52 is reflected in the form definition data 54, 56, 58 without editing each individually.

Here, a comparative example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows definition data related to the comparative example. The definition data 60 is the definition data related to the comparative example for the form A, the definition data 62 is the definition data related to the comparative example for the form B, and the definition data 64 is the definition related to the comparative example for the form C. It is data. The forms A, B, and C shown in FIG. 6 are the same forms as the forms A, B, and C shown in FIG. In the comparative example, the common definition data and the individual definition data are not distinguished, and the definition data including all the definition contents is created for each form.

In the comparative example, when editing the definition data, it is necessary to edit the definition data for each form even when the contents common to the forms A, B, and C are changed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the common definition data 52 is edited, the editing is reflected in the form definition data of each of the forms A, B, and C.

Hereinafter, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described.

The processor 18 may display a common item read in a plurality of documents to a user (for example, an operator). This point will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display device.

As an example, forms A, B, and C are documents to be linked, and document data of each of forms A, B, and C is received by the document receiving unit 26. The processor 18 displays the images of the forms A, B, and C side by side on the screen 66. The screen 66 may be displayed on the display device of the UI 14, or may be displayed on a terminal device (for example, a personal computer or the like) used by the operator.

In the forms A, B, and C, each input field (for example, an input field composed of a frame) of the item [invoice number], the item [product name], and the item [amount] is described, and is a character string. The "invoice number", the character string "product name" and the character string "amount" are described. The processor 18 extracts these character strings by executing character recognition processing for each of the document data of the forms A, B, and C. These character strings are common character strings extracted from each of the forms A, B, and C. In this case, the processor 18 displays these character strings on the screen 66 as keywords common to the forms A, B, and C, as indicated by the reference numeral 68. Further, the processor 18 proposes to the operator that the items common to the forms A, B, and C (for example, the item [invoice number], the item [product name], and the item [amount]) are included in the common definition data. The message may be displayed on the screen 66.

When the worker selects a specific keyword from the common keywords by using the UI 14 or the like, the processor 18 may include the item corresponding to the selected keyword in the common definition data. For example, item [1. If the invoice number is selected by the operator, the processor 18 will see the item [1. Invoice number] is included in the common definition data.

Further, in the plurality of documents, the processor 18 may distinguish between items common to the plurality of documents and other items that are not, and display the items on the display device. This point will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display device.

As an example, the forms A, D, and E are documents to be linked, and the document data of each of the forms A, D, and E is received by the document receiving unit 26. The processor 18 displays the images of the forms A, D, and E side by side on the screen 66.

The forms A, D, and E include an input field for the item [invoice number] and an input field for the item [amount], and these items are common to the forms A, D, and E. In this case, the processor 18 displays the common items more emphasized than the non-common items, as shown by the broken line in FIG. For example, the processor 18 surrounds common items with lines having a specific color, or grays out non-common items.

Further, a plurality of common definition data may be associated with the frame data. This point will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows an example of the form and the common definition data. For example, common definition data 70 is associated with each frame data of forms A, B, C, D, and E. Further, the common definition data 72 is associated with each frame data of the forms D and E. That is, the common definition data 70 and 72 are associated with the frame data of the forms D and E, respectively. The common definition data 70 is data that defines the contents of items 1, 2 and 3, and the common definition data 72 is definition data that defines the contents of items 4 and 5. Since the contents of items 1, 2, and 3 are common to forms A, B, C, D, and E, the common definition data 70 is linked to the frame data of each of forms A, B, C, D, and E. Attached. Since the contents of items 4 and 5 are common to the forms D and E, the common definition data 72 is associated with the frame data of the forms D and E, respectively. By doing so, the character recognition processing for the forms D and E is performed without separately creating the common definition data that defines all of the items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the document to which the common definition data is associated and the screen for the user (for example, the worker) to associate the individual definition data with the document are displayed on the same screen. The worker can set the individually defined data while referring to the document displayed on the same screen.

Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 shows an example of the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 10A. Since the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10A is the same as the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The common definition creation unit 74 is configured to create common definition data in the same manner as the common definition creation unit 20 according to the first embodiment.

The common definition storage unit 76 is configured to store the common definition data created by the common definition creation unit 74, similarly to the common definition storage unit 76 according to the first embodiment.

The document receiving unit 78 is configured to receive document data in the same manner as the document receiving unit 26 according to the first embodiment.

Similar to the frame extraction unit 28 according to the first embodiment, the frame extraction unit 80 extracts a frame from the document data received by the document reception unit 78 and creates frame data which is data representing the frame. It is configured.

The frame identification unit 82 is configured to specify a frame corresponding to an item defined by the common definition data for each document to be linked with the document definition data. For example, the frame identification unit 82 defines an item corresponding to an item included in the document represented by the document data to be linked (for example, an item matching the item included in the document) from a plurality of different common definition data. Identify the common definition data to be used. By using the known technique described in JP-A-2004-258706, the frame may be identified by using the common definition data without using the individual definition data. For example, the frame identification unit 82 extracts a frame from the document data to be linked, extracts a character string existing in the vicinity of the frame, and sets the name of the item indicated by the extracted character string and the common definition data. By comparing with the name of the item to be defined, the common definition data that defines the item corresponding to the item included in the document represented by the document data is specified. For example, the frame identification unit 82 identifies common definition data that defines an item having the same name as the item indicated by the extracted character string.

The document definition creation unit 84 is configured to associate the frame data of the document data to be associated with the common definition data specified by the frame identification unit 82. The frame data and the common definition data associated with each other are stored in the document definition storage unit 86.

The document definition storage unit 86 is configured to store the frame data and the common definition data associated with the document definition creation unit 84. Similar to the first embodiment, the common definition data itself is stored in the common definition storage unit 76, and the common definition identification information, which is information for referring to the common definition data, is associated with the frame data and defined as a document. It may be stored in the storage unit 86.

The individual definition creation unit 88 is configured to individually create individual definition data for each document, as in the individual definition creation unit 24 according to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the individual definition creation unit 88 creates individual definition data for the frame data and the common definition data associated with each other. The created individual definition data is output to the document definition creation unit 84.

When the document definition creation unit 84 receives the individual definition data from the individual definition creation unit 88, the document definition creation unit 84 generates the document definition data by associating the individual definition data with the frame data and the common definition data associated with each other. The document definition data is stored in the document definition storage unit 86.

The common definition creation unit 74, the document reception unit 78, the frame extraction unit 80, the frame identification unit 82, the document definition creation unit 84, and the individual definition creation unit 88 are realized by the processor 18. The memory 16 may be used in the realization. Further, the common definition storage unit 76 and the document definition storage unit 86 are realized by the memory 16.

Hereinafter, the processing by the information processing apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart showing the process.

First, it is determined whether or not the common definition data is created (S10). This determination is made by the processor 18.

When the common definition data is created (S10, Yes), the common definition data is selected (S11). The created common definition data is stored in the common definition storage unit 76.

If the common definition data has not been created (S10, No), the common definition data is created (S12). The created common definition data is stored in the common definition storage unit 76.

Next, the document receiving unit 78 receives the document data to be linked (S13).

Next, the frame extraction unit 80 creates frame data, which is data representing the frame, by extracting the frame from the document data to be linked (S14).

Next, the frame identification unit 82 identifies the common definition data to be linked to the frame data of the document data to be linked based on the common definition data and the frame data by performing a process of identifying the frame (). S15).

Next, the document definition creation unit 84 associates the frame data extracted from the document data to be linked with the common definition data specified by the frame identification unit 82 (S16). The frame data and the common definition data associated with each other are stored in the document definition storage unit 86.

Next, the processor 18 causes the document represented by the document data to be linked and the screen for the user (for example, the worker) to link the individual definition data to the document to be displayed on the same screen (S17). More specifically, the processor 18 causes the document represented by the document data to be linked and the screen for linking the individually defined data to the frame data of the document data to be displayed on the same screen. Hereinafter, the screen for associating the individual definition data with the frame data will be referred to as an "individual definition setting screen". For example, in the display device of UI14, the document and the individual definition setting screen are displayed on the same screen.

Next, the worker sets the individual definition data for the document displayed on the same screen by using the UI 14 (S18).

The document definition creation unit 84 creates the document definition data by associating the individual definition data set in step S18 with the frame data of the document data representing the document and the common definition data (S19). This document definition data is stored in the document definition storage unit 86.

Here, the structure of the document definition data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 shows an example of the structure.

Here, the common definition data 90 is created. When the document data 92 to be linked is accepted and the frame is extracted from the document data 92, the frame data 94 which is the data representing the frame is created. By identifying the frame, the common definition data 90 associated with the frame data 94 is specified. Then, the frame data 94 and the common definition data 90 are associated with each other. Further, the individual definition data 96 is separately created, and the individual definition data 96 is associated with the frame data 94 and the common definition data 90. As a result, the document definition data 98 is created.

Hereinafter, the individual definition setting screen will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 shows a document to be linked and an individual definition setting screen.

The screen 100 is displayed, for example, on the display device of the UI 14 or the terminal device of the operator. For example, the worker specifies information for identifying the document data to be linked (for example, a file name), selects the document data to be linked, and links the individually defined data to the frame data of the document data. When instructed to perform the attaching operation, the processor 18 causes the display device to display the screen 100.

On the screen 100, the document 102 to be linked selected by the worker and the individual definition setting screen 104 for the worker to link the individual definition data to the frame data of the document 102 are displayed. That is, the document 102 and the individual definition setting screen 104 are displayed side by side on the same screen 100.

Individual definition data can be set on the individual definition setting screen 104. For example, when an area on the displayed document 102 is designated by an operator, the processor 18 displays the individual definition setting screen 104, which is a screen for setting individual definition data for the designated area, on the screen 100. To display. Explaining with a specific example, as indicated by reference numeral 106, an input field for the item "name (phonetic)" is specified by the worker. For example, the frame constituting the input field is clicked by the worker. In this case, the processor 18 causes the screen 100 to display the individual definition setting screen 104 for setting the individual definition data for the input field. On the individual definition setting screen 104, the name of the specified item, the common definition already set for the item (that is, the definition content of the common definition data associated with the frame data of the document 102), and the individual A setting field for setting definition data is displayed. Here, as an example, since the item "name (phonetic)" is specified, the item name "name (phonetic)" is displayed, and the "type" as a common definition that has already been set is displayed. In addition, the coordinates of the input field of the item "name (phonetic)" (that is, the layout of the item), the type of dictionary (for example, a dictionary for handwriting or printing), the tag, and the character limit are as individual definition data. It is possible to set. For example, a pull-down method displays a list of dictionary candidates (for example, a list showing a handwritten dictionary and a print dictionary). The processor 18 may change the dictionary candidates and display them according to the contents defined by the common definition data. For example, when the item "name (phonetic)" is specified, a list of dictionary candidates corresponding to the item "name (phonetic)" is displayed. The definition contents of the common definition data are also displayed on the individual definition setting screen 104, but it is prohibited to change the definition contents of the common definition data on the individual definition setting screen 104, and the definition contents cannot be changed. Can not.

The processor 18 distinguishes between the designated frame and the non-designated frame by displaying the frame line specified by the operator in a thicker shape or changing the color of the frame line. May be good.

Regarding the "ladder frame" composed of a plurality of frames in a row, when the plurality of frames are collectively selected by the operator, the processor 18 sets the "ladder frame" composed of the plurality of frames. Recognize as one frame. Then, the processor 18 displays the individual definition setting screen 104 for setting the individual definition data for the input field formed by the "ladder frame".

Further, on the individual definition setting screen 104, an add button 108 which is a button for adding an attribute to be set to an item to be set (for example, the item "name (phonetic)") and an attribute included in the item are displayed. The delete button 110, which is a button for deleting the above, is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the attributes are a tag, a character limit, and the like. When the operator presses the add button 108 on the screen 100, a setting field for defining a new attribute is displayed on the individual definition setting screen 104. Further, when the operator presses the delete button 110 on the screen 100, a screen for deleting the attribute included in the item to be set is displayed on the individual definition setting screen 104. All attributes may be displayed on the individual definition setting screen 104.

When the "OK" button displayed on the screen 100 is pressed by the operator, the document definition creation unit 84 connects the individual definition data set on the individual definition setting screen 104 to the frame of the document data to be linked. The document definition storage unit 86 stores the document definition data including the data and the common definition data in association with each other. When the "Cancel" button is pressed by the operator, the individual definition data set on the individual definition setting screen 104 is not associated with the frame data and the common definition data, and the process of setting the individual definition data ends. do.

Further, on the screen 100, a common definition setting button 112 for setting the common definition data is displayed. When the operator presses the common definition setting button 112 on the screen 100, the common definition setting screen (for example, screen 100) is a screen for setting the common definition data linked to the document data of the document 102 to be linked. Another screen) is displayed. FIG. 14 shows an example of the common definition setting screen.

On the common definition setting screen 114, the name of the common definition data to be set (for example, "common definition 1") is displayed.

On the common definition setting screen 114, a list 116 of items already defined in the common definition data is displayed. The worker can select an item to be set from the list 116 and edit the definition content of the item.

On the common definition setting screen 114, an add button 118, which is a button for adding a defined item to the common definition data, and a delete button 120, which is a button for deleting an item included in the common definition data, are displayed. Will be done. When the operator presses the add button 118 on the common definition setting screen 114, a setting field for defining a new item is displayed on the common definition setting screen 114. Further, when the operator presses the delete button 120 on the common definition setting screen 114, a screen for deleting the items included in the common definition data is displayed on the common definition setting screen 114.

Further, on the common definition setting screen 114, a list 122 of document data having frame data associated with the common definition data to be set is displayed. For example, the frame data of the forms A, B, and C are associated with the common definition data whose name is "common definition 1". That is, the common definition data whose name is "common definition 1" is used as the definition data common to the forms A, B, and C. When the common definition data whose name is "common definition 1" is edited, the editing is reflected in the forms A, B, and C. That is, since the common definition data whose name is "common definition 1" is associated with the frame data of each of the forms A, B, and C, when the common definition data is edited, the editing is performed on the form A. , B, and C are reflected in each.

When the "OK" button displayed on the common definition setting screen 114 is pressed by the operator, the document definition creation unit 84 sets the contents set on the common definition setting screen 114 as the common definition to be set. Reflect in the data. When the "Cancel" button is pressed by the operator, the document definition creation unit 84 does not reflect the contents set on the common definition setting screen 114 in the common definition data to be set.

For example, when a worker selects an item "name (phonetic)" from the list 116 and instructs to edit the item, an edit screen, which is a screen for editing the item, is displayed. FIG. 15 shows an example of the editing screen.

On the edit screen 124, setting items such as an item name, a type, a dictionary, a tag, and a character limit are displayed. The operator can edit the contents set for each item on the edit screen 124. For example, the worker can change the type of dictionary and the like.

On the edit screen 124, an add button 126, which is a button for adding an attribute to be set to an item to be set (for example, an item "name (phonetic)"), and an attribute included in the item are deleted. The delete button 128, which is the button of, is displayed. When the operator presses the add button 126 on the edit screen 124, a setting field for defining a new attribute is displayed on the edit screen 124. Further, when the operator presses the delete button 128 on the edit screen 124, a screen for deleting the attribute is displayed on the edit screen 124. All attributes may be displayed on the edit screen 124.

When the "OK" button displayed on the edit screen 124 is pressed by the operator, the document definition creation unit 84 reflects the content edited on the edit screen 124 in the common definition data. When the "Cancel" button displayed on the edit screen 124 is pressed by the operator, the document definition creation unit 84 does not reflect the content edited on the edit screen 124 in the common definition data.

Hereinafter, a modified example of the second embodiment will be described.

The processor 18 may display a screen for switching the definition data associated with the document to either the common definition data or the individual definition data on the display device. For example, the processor 18 displays a screen for switching the content defined in the individually defined data to the content defined in the common definition data, or changes the content defined in the common definition data to the content defined in the individually defined data. Display the screen for switching on the display device. For example, on those screens, the worker changes the content defined in the individual definition data to the content defined in the common definition data, or defines the content defined in the common definition data in the individual definition data. It can be changed to what is done.

A specific example will be described. For example, item [1. Invoice number] content (for example, alphanumeric characters, dictionary [alphabetic characters], 10 digits) is defined as common definition data, and the worker has instructed to define this content as individual definition data. In the case, the processor 18 defines this content as individually defined data instead of common definition data. For example, item [1. Invoice number] is defined in the common definition data of documents A and B, and when the worker instructs to define this content as individual definition data of documents A and B, respectively. The processor 18 defines this content in the individual definition data of the document A and the individual definition data of the document B, respectively, and deletes the contents from the common definition data of the documents A and B. For example, when a worker specifies documents A and B and instructs to switch the common definition data to individual definition data, the contents of each item defined in the common definition data of documents A and B are displayed on the display device of UI14. Is displayed. When the worker specifies the contents of the items to be defined in the individual definition data of the documents A and B from the displayed items, the processor 18 sets the contents of the specified items to the documents A and B. It is defined in each individual definition data of, and the content of the item is deleted from the common definition data of documents A and B.

Contrary to the above example, the worker instructed to define the contents common to the documents A and B and defined in the individual definition data of the documents A and B as the common definition data. In this case, the processor 18 defines the contents in the common definition data of the documents A and B, and deletes the contents from the individual definition data of the documents A and B. For example, when the worker specifies documents A and B and instructs to switch the individual definition data to the common definition data, the contents of each item defined in each individual definition data of the documents A and B are displayed on the UI14. Displayed on the device. When the worker specifies the content of the item to be defined in the common definition data of the documents A and B from the displayed items, the processor 18 shares the content of the specified item with the documents A and B. It is defined in the definition data, and the content of the item is deleted from the individual definition data of each of the documents A and B.

The processor 18 may propose individual definition data common to a plurality of documents to a user (for example, an operator) as common definition data. For example, when there is an item having a common content in a plurality of document data, the processor 18 proposes the content of the item to the operator as common definition data of the plurality of document data. Specifically, the processor 18 causes the display device of the UI 14 to display the contents of the item. A specific example will be described. When an item having a common content exists in the documents A and B, the processor 18 proposes the content of the item to the operator as common definition data of the documents A and B. Further, when the content of a certain item is common to a plurality of document data in a number equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value, the processor 18 proposes the content of the item to the operator as common definition data of the plurality of document data. You may. When the content of the item is defined separately as individual definition data of each of the plurality of document data, the processor 18 proposes the content of the item to the operator as common definition data of the plurality of document data. You may.

The processor 18 displays a plurality of documents on the same screen, and when an area on each displayed document is specified by a user (for example, a worker) for an item of common definition data, the specified area is displayed. , The content of the item may be defined in the individually defined data of each document as an area where the contents can be read. This point will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The screen is shown in FIG.

For example, when the worker specifies forms A, B, and C as the documents to be linked and instructs to define the individually defined data, the processor 18 causes the screen 130 to be displayed on the display device. Forms A, B, and C are displayed on the screen 130. When the worker specifies a frame that constitutes an input field for each item "invoice number" of the forms A, B, and C on the screen 130, the individual definition creation unit 88 is composed of the designated frame. The input field is defined in each individual definition data of forms A, B, and C as an area in which the content of the item "invoice number" can be read.

This process will be described in more detail. For example, when the worker is instructed to set the layout of the item "invoice number", the individual definition creation unit 88 accepts the instruction. Next, when the worker specifies the frame 132 in the form A, the frame 134 in the form B, and the frame 136 in the form C, the individual definition creation unit 88 sets the frame 132 in the form A. The position is accepted as the position (that is, layout) of the item "invoice number" for form A, the position of the frame 134 in form B is accepted as the position of the item "invoice number" for form B, and in form C. The position of the frame 136 of the above is accepted as the position of the item "invoice number" for the form C. That is, the individual definition creation unit 88 defines the position (that is, layout) of the frame 132 in the form A as the position of the area where the content of the item "invoice number" can be read from the form A in the individual definition data of the form A. do. Similarly, the individual definition creation unit 88 defines the position of the frame 134 in the form B as the position of the area where the content of the item “invoice number” can be read from the form B in the individual definition data of the form B. Similarly, the individual definition creation unit 88 defines the position of the frame 136 in the form C as the position of the area where the content of the item “invoice number” can be read from the form C in the individual definition data of the form C.

In each of the above embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, such as a general-purpose processor (for example, CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) or a dedicated processor (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, etc.). FPGA: Includes Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.). Further, the operation of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor but also by a plurality of processors existing at physically separated positions in cooperation with each other. Further, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

10 Information processing device, 18 processors, 20,74 common definition creation unit, 24,88 individual definition creation unit, 26,84 document definition creation unit.

Claims (7)

Has a processor and
The processor
Among the items read in the document, the common definition data that defines the contents of the items common to a plurality of documents, and the individual definition data that defines the contents of the items individually for each document among the items read in the document, For each document, link it to the document data that represents the document,
Information processing device. The individually defined data is data that defines the layout of the item in the document.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Multiple different common definition data and multiple different individual definition data are defined,
The processor
The common definition data that defines the contents of the items corresponding to the items included in the document to be linked in the plurality of common definition data and the document to be linked in the plurality of individual definition data are The individual definition data that defines the layout corresponding to the layout to be possessed is linked to the document data representing the document to be linked.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. The processor further
Display the contents of common items that can be read in multiple documents,
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information processing device is characterized by the above. The processor further
The plurality of documents are displayed on the display device, and the documents are displayed on the display device.
In the plurality of documents, the contents of the common item are displayed on the display device separately from the contents of other items.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. The processor further
When the common definition data is edited, the edit is reflected in each document associated with the common definition data.
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information processing device is characterized. On the computer
Among the items read in the document, the common definition data that defines the contents of the items common to a plurality of documents, and the individual definition data that defines the contents of the items individually for each document among the items read in the document, For each document, link it to the document data that represents the document,
program.

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