JP2021140831A - Document image processing system, document image processing method, and document image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately generate table data from various documents.SOLUTION: An object document image acquisition part 42 acquires a document image to be processed. A partial image retrieval part 43 retrieves a partial image for retrieval specified by one or more a plurality of query conditions in a document image based on template data including the query conditions, and detects one or more a plurality of partial images corresponding to the partial image for retrieval in the document image. A character recognition processing part 44 executes character recognition processing for a character recognition region specified by the query conditions in the respective partial images detected in the document image based on the template data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a form image processing system, a form image processing method, and a form image processing program.

In a certain form image processing method, character recognition processing is executed for a raster image of a form, and table data is generated from text data (arrangement of character codes) obtained by the character recognition processing.

At that time, in general, template data (or format data) that defines a form layout such as an area to be processed for character recognition in a raster image and text attributes (names, etc.) such as character strings and numerical values included in the area. (Also called) is used, and character recognition processing is executed for the area specified by the template data.

Therefore, in general, template data corresponding to each form is required for a plurality of forms having different layouts.

A technique for automatically generating such template data (format data) from a form image has been proposed.

In one system, a column area surrounded by ruled lines is detected in the form image, the characters recognized in the table structure area are used as the item name of the column area, and the coordinate values of the column area are specified as format data. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-73472

However, with the above-mentioned technique, it is difficult to appropriately generate table data from a form having a special layout or a form having items whose positions change depending on the contents of the actual form.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 described later, a complicated layout in which values of a plurality of different items (for example, "order number" and "order number" in FIG. 2) are arranged vertically in each cell in one column. As for the form of, the values of a plurality of items are detected and mixed as the data of one column, and the table data is not properly generated.

That is, since the order number and the order number are arranged above and below one cell, in the above-mentioned technique, the order number and the order number are recognized as one column, and the order number is used as the data of the one column. Since the values 000111,000120 and the order number values 5162-01,0189-11 are classified, the values of the two items are improperly mixed in one column in the table data.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 described later, when the value of the item "total" whose position (position in the vertical direction of the table) changes depending on the number of orders and orders in the actual form is recognized as characters and included in the table data. In the above technique, it is necessary to use a large number of template data corresponding to all the positions of such items, which is not practical. That is, with the above-mentioned technique, it is difficult to character-recognize the value of such an item (for example, the above-mentioned "total") from such a form and include it in the table data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and obtains a form image processing system, a form image processing method, and a form image processing program capable of appropriately generating table data from a wider variety of forms. With the goal.

The form image processing system according to the present invention is a search partial image specified by a query condition based on a target form image acquisition unit that acquires a form image to be processed and template data including one or a plurality of query conditions. Is searched in the form image and the partial image corresponding to the search partial image is detected in the form image, and the query condition in the partial image detected in the form image based on the template data. It is provided with a character recognition processing unit that executes character recognition processing for a designated character recognition area.

In the form image processing method according to the present invention, a search partial image specified by a query condition is included in the form image based on a step of acquiring a form image to be processed and template data including one or a plurality of query conditions. In the step of searching with, and detecting the partial image corresponding to the search partial image in the form image, and in the character recognition area specified by the query condition in the partial image detected in the form image based on the template data. On the other hand, it includes a step of executing character recognition processing.

The form image processing program according to the present invention causes a computer to function as the above-mentioned target form image acquisition unit, the above-mentioned partial image search unit, and the above-mentioned character recognition processing unit.

According to the present invention, a form image processing system, a form image processing method, and a form image processing program capable of appropriately generating table data from a wider variety of forms can be obtained.

The above or other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified from the following detailed description along with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a form image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example (part) of a sample form image. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a query area designated by the user and a character recognition area in the query area on the sample form image shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the components of the query condition. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of template data including query conditions. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example (part) of a form image to be processed. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a character recognition area in the partial image detected in the form image shown in FIG. 6 according to the query condition. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example (part) of the sample form image, and an example of the query area designated by the user and the character recognition area in the query area on the sample form image. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of table data generated based on the text data obtained by the character recognition process for the character recognition area shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a template data generation process in the system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the form image processing in the system according to the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a form image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The form image processing system shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on one information processing device (computer or the like), and the processing units described later in the system are distributed to a plurality of information processing devices capable of data communication with each other. It may be implemented. Further, such a plurality of information processing devices may include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) that processes a specific operation in parallel.

The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a storage device 1, an input device 2, a display device 3, a communication device 4, an image reading device 5, and an arithmetic processing unit 6.

The storage device 1 is a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk, and stores various data and programs. The input device 2 and the display device 3 are user interfaces, the input device 2 is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. that detect a user operation and output as an electric signal, and the display device 3 is an operation screen for the user. It is a liquid crystal display that displays such as.

In this embodiment, the form image processing program 11 is stored in the storage device 1. The storage device 1 stores one or a plurality of template data described later as needed. The form image processing program 11 may be stored in a portable computer-readable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disk). In that case, for example, the program 11 is installed from the recording medium to the storage device 1. Further, the program 11 may be one program or a collection of a plurality of programs.

The communication device 4 is a device capable of data communication such as a network interface, a peripheral device interface, and a modem, and performs data communication with other devices as needed.

The image reading device 5 optically reads the form image from the form and generates image data (raster image data, etc.) of the form image. For example, the image reading device 5 is a scanner, a network scanner, or the like connected by a peripheral device interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

Here, the form is, for example, a document (for example, a purchase order, an invoice, an invoice, a receipt, etc.) in which details such as goods, services, and money as consideration for various transactions are described in a predetermined layout. .. The layout of forms is often different for each trading company, but each trading company often uses a form with a fixed layout. In addition, the layout of the form may be a complicated layout as described above, or the layout of the form may change depending on the content of the form as described above. In many cases, the position of the value of each item in the layout of the form does not change, but as described above, the specific item changes depending on the content.

The arithmetic processing unit 6 is a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and loads a program from the ROM, the storage device 1 or the like into the RAM, and the CPU By executing it, it operates as various processing units. Here, by executing the program 11, the arithmetic processing unit 6 operates as the template data generation unit 21 and the form image processing unit 22.

The template data generation unit 21 generates template data corresponding to the layout of the style from the sample form image having the layout of the same style as the form image to be processed. For example, one of a plurality of forms having a layout of a certain style is regarded as a sample form image. The template data generation unit 21 includes a sample form image acquisition unit 31, a query condition setting unit 32, a column definition unit 33, and a template data generation unit 34.

The sample form image acquisition unit 31 acquires the above-mentioned sample form image. For example, the sample form image acquisition unit 31 reads out a sample form image as image data stored in the storage device 1, or a sample form as image data received by the communication device 4 from a server or host device (not shown). An image is acquired, or a sample form image as image data generated from a certain form by the image reading device 5 is acquired.

The query condition setting unit 32 specifies (a) a query area specified by a user operation in the sample form image and a character recognition area in the query area, and (b) searches for an image of the query area in the sample form image. It is extracted as a partial image, and (c) a query condition indicating the search partial image and the character recognition area (that is, the position and size of the character recognition area in the search partial image) is generated.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example (part) of a sample form image. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a query area designated by the user and a character recognition area in the query area on the sample form image shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the components of the query condition.

Specifically, the query condition setting unit 32 displays, for example, a sample form image as shown in FIG. 2 on the display device 3. The user operates the input device 2 to specify a desired area as a query area on the sample form image. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the query condition setting unit 32 detects the user operation on the input device 2 and specifies the query area (that is, the position and size of the query area). For example, the query area is a rectangular area, and the coordinate values of the two vertices on the diagonal of the rectangular area are specified. Alternatively, the coordinate value of one vertex of the query area as a rectangular area, and the horizontal and vertical sizes are specified.

Further, the user operates the input device 2 to designate one or a plurality of desired areas in the query area as the character recognition area corresponding to the query area. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the query condition setting unit 32 detects the user operation by the input device 2 and specifies the character recognition area (that is, the position and size of the character recognition area). For example, each character recognition area is a rectangular area, and the coordinate values of the two vertices on the diagonal line of the rectangular area are specified. Alternatively, the coordinate value of one vertex of each character recognition area as a rectangular area, and the horizontal and vertical sizes are specified.

In this way, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a query condition indicating the search partial image and the character recognition area (that is, the position and size of the character recognition area in the search partial image) can be obtained.

Further, in this embodiment, the query condition setting unit 32 includes a query type in each query condition. The query type is a first query type or a second query type.

The first query type causes a predetermined number of N (for example, N = 1) partial images corresponding to the search partial images to be detected in the form image in the image search in the form image processing. In the first query type, when a plurality of different numbers N are associated with each other, the above-mentioned number N is also included in the query condition.

In the second query type, in the image search in the form image processing, all the partial images corresponding to the search partial images are detected in the form image.

The column definition unit 33 associates a column attribute with each character recognition area set in the query area. The user operates the input device 2 to correspond to each character recognition area, and the column attribute (column heading, column head of the column) in which the text data obtained from the character recognition area in the form image processing is arranged is arranged. Enter the data type (numerical value, character string, amount of money, etc.). As such, the column definition unit 33 identifies the column attribute specified by the user operation and associates it with each character recognition area.

The template data generation unit 34 generates template data including one or more query conditions (and column attributes) generated as described above, and stores the template data in a predetermined storage device (storage device 1, a server (not shown, etc.)). Remember.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of template data including query conditions.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the template data includes one or more query condition records. One query condition record corresponds to one query condition. The query condition record includes a query area ID, a query type, a file path to a partial image file for search, and a character recognition area list. The character recognition area list contains a link (reference) to the character recognition area data. One character recognition area data indicates the position information of one character recognition area (the position (number of pixels) of the character recognition area relative to the reference position (predetermined vertex) of the search partial image).

The search partial image is stored together with the template data as a search partial image file.

Returning to FIG. 1, the form image processing unit 22 uses the template data generated from the sample form having the same layout as the form image to be processed, and performs the form image processing on the form image to be processed. Run. The form image processing unit 22 includes a template data selection unit 41, a target form image acquisition unit 42, a partial image search unit 43, a character recognition processing unit 44, and a table data generation unit 45.

The template data selection unit 41 selects one template data according to the form image to be processed from one or a plurality of template data stored in the storage device 1 or a server (not shown) according to, for example, a user operation on the input device 2. Select and read.

This template data contains one or more query conditions.

The target form image acquisition unit 42 acquires the form image to be processed. For example, the target form image acquisition unit 42 reads out the form image as image data stored in the storage device 1, or outputs the form image as image data received by the communication device 4 from a server or host device (not shown). It is acquired, or a form image as image data generated from a form by the image reading device 5 is acquired.

Based on the selected template data, the partial image search unit 43 searches for the search partial image specified by the query condition included in the template data in the acquired form image, and the search portion. A partial image corresponding to the image is detected in the form image.

Specifically, the partial image search unit 43 moves the attention area of the same size as the partial image one pixel at a time in the form image, and the attention area of the form image at each position is similar to the search partial image. The degree is calculated, and the partial image corresponding to the search partial image is detected based on the similarity. For example, this similarity is calculated based on the features of the image. For example, this similarity is determined by existing calculation methods (SSD (Sum of Squared Difference) method, SAD (Sum of Absolute Difference) method, NCC (Normalized Cross Correlation) method, ZNCC (Zero means Normalized Cross Correlation) method, etc.). It is calculated.

Further, in this embodiment, when the query type of (a) the query condition is the first query type, the partial image search unit 43 obtains a predetermined number of partial images N from the one having the largest similarity as described above. (B) When the query type of the query condition is the second query type, all the partial images whose similarity exceeds the predetermined threshold value are detected. Note that this threshold value is specified according to the user operation at the time of template data generation, and is included in the query condition. Alternatively, this threshold is set according to the user operation at the time of form image processing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example (part) of a form image to be processed. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a character recognition area in the partial image detected in the form image shown in FIG. 6 according to the query condition shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example (part) of the sample form image, and an example of the query area designated by the user and the character recognition area in the query area on the sample form image.

Normally, as shown in FIG. 6, forms having the same layout are created so that the positions of the text (numerical value) images in a cell in a certain column are substantially the same as shown in FIG. ..

For example, when the partial image in the form image shown in FIG. 6 is searched by the query condition (search partial image and character recognition area) shown in FIG. 4, in the case of the second query type, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, 6 Two partial images are detected.

For example, when it is desired to include the text in the indefinite row as shown in FIG. 6 in the table data, the number of rows differs depending on the form, so the second query type is specified, and a partial image of such an indefinite row is specified. Are all detected.

On the other hand, when it is desired to include the text in a certain number of rows (N mentioned above) in the table data, the first query type is specified, and the partial image of a specific number of rows is detected. For example, even if you want to include text in a line with an indefinite position such as "total" shown in FIG. 8 in the table data, the position is automatically specified by image search, and a partial image of such a line is detected. .. Therefore, in one template data, a partial image of such an indefinite line is detected at any position.

Based on the template data, the character recognition processing unit 44 identifies the character recognition area specified by the query condition in the partial image detected in the form image, and executes the character recognition process for the character recognition area. ..

In the form image processing, the table data generation unit 45 generates table data having the text data obtained by the character recognition processing in a predetermined data format (for example, CSV (Character-Separated Values) or the like).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of table data generated based on the text data obtained by the character recognition process for the character recognition area shown in FIG. 7. For example, when the character recognition area is specified as shown in FIG. 7, the table data as shown in FIG. 9 is generated from the form shown in FIG.

For example, even if the values of a plurality of items (order number and order number) are arranged above and below one cell as shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 9, each item is separately separated. Column data is generated.

Here, when one template data includes a plurality of query conditions, the table data generation unit 45 may generate a plurality of table data corresponding to each query condition, or each of them. A plurality of table data corresponding to the query condition may be integrated into one table data. In that case, a plurality of table data may be concatenated in the vertical direction and integrated into one table data, or a plurality of table data may be concatenated in the horizontal direction and integrated into one table data. good.

The template data generation unit 21 and the form image processing unit 22 may be mounted on separate information processing devices (server, personal computer, etc.) in one information processing device (server, personal computer, etc.). , Only one of the template data generation unit 21 and the form image processing unit 22 may be implemented.

Further, here, the sample form and the form may be digital data, and the sample form image and the form image may be those obtained from the sample form and the form as the digital data (raster image, etc.), respectively.

Next, the operation of the system according to the first embodiment will be described.

When you want to generate table data by executing form image processing on a series of forms, first, a sample form is selected from the series of forms, and template data generation processing is performed on the sample form image obtained from the sample form. After that, using the template data generated in the template data generation process, the form image processing is sequentially performed on the form images of a series of forms, and the table data is automatically generated.

Here, the template data generation process and the form image process will be described.

(A) Template data generation process

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a template data generation process in the system according to the first embodiment.

The user selects a sample form image and specifies it using the input device 2. For example, the user selects a sample form, sets it in the image reading device 5, and causes the image reading device 5 to read the sample form image from the sample form. Alternatively, for example, the user uses the input device 2 to select a sample form image from the list of stored form images. The sample form image acquisition unit 31 acquires the image data of the sample form image specified by the user (step S1).

The query condition setting unit 32 displays the sample form image on the display device 3 based on the image data. When the sample form image is displayed, the user operates the input device 2 to specify a desired rectangular area as a query area on the sample form image. For example, at this time, the user queries so that in addition to the text image part to be recognized as characters, an invariant part such as a ruled line surrounding the text image part (that is, a part whose contents do not change between a plurality of forms) is included. Specify the area. The query condition setting unit 32 specifies a designated query area (position and size of the query area) based on the user operation (step S2), and searches for a partial image of the specified query area from the sample form image. It is extracted as a partial image (step S3).

For example, the query condition setting unit 32 superimposes and displays a frame line indicating the query area on the sample form image. As a result, the user can visually recognize the query area on the sample form image.

Next, the user designates a desired rectangular area inside the designated query area as the character recognition area on the displayed sample form image. For example, at this time, the user specifies the character recognition area so that the text image portion to be character-recognized is included and other objects such as ruled lines are not included. The query condition setting unit 32 identifies the designated character recognition area based on the user operation (step S4). This character recognition area is data (for example,) that can specify the relative position and size of the query area (that is, the search partial image) from a predetermined reference point in the query area (that is, the search partial image). It is represented by the coordinate value of the relative position of two vertices in the character recognition area, the pair of the coordinate value of the relative position of one vertices in the character recognition area and the vertical and horizontal sizes, etc.). For example, this relative position is represented by the distance from the reference point, and this distance and size is represented by the number of pixels. One character recognition area corresponds to one column in the table data described later.

When the character recognition area is specified in this way, the query condition setting unit 32 includes a dialog for inputting column attributes (column heading, data type, etc.) of the column corresponding to the designated character recognition area. Is displayed on the display device 3. The user operates the input device 2 and inputs column attributes (column headings as free text, data type selected from the list, etc.) in the dialog or the like. The query condition setting unit 32 identifies the input column attribute and associates it with the character recognition area (step S5).

Further, the query condition setting unit 32 displays a dialog for inputting the query type of the query condition currently being set on the display device 3. The user operates the input device 2 and inputs a query type to the dialog or the like. The query condition setting unit 32 identifies the input query type and associates it with the query condition (step S6).

The query condition setting unit 32 has, for the specified query area, (a) a partial image for search specified as described above, (b) character recognition area data (relative position information, size information, column attributes, etc.), and (C) In the query type, a query condition record is generated and added to the template data for the sample form image (step S7).

When one query condition is set in this way, the query condition setting unit 32 displays, for example, a dialog for inputting whether or not to set another query condition on the display device 3. The user selects whether or not to set another query condition, and inputs the input device 2 to the dialog.

The query condition setting unit 32 determines whether or not to set another query condition according to such a user operation (step S8).

When the query condition setting unit 32 determines that another query condition is to be set, the query condition setting unit 32 returns to step S2 and sets another query condition for the sample form image (steps S2 to S7).

On the other hand, when the query condition setting unit 32 determines that another query condition is not set, the query condition record indicating the query condition set so far and the search partial image file are used to provide template data for the sample form image. It is generated (step S9) and stored as one file in the storage device 1 or the like, or registered in a database (not shown).

In this way, the template data desired by the user is generated and saved.

(B) Form image processing

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating form image processing (processing for generating table data from a form image to be processed) in the system according to the first embodiment.

After one or more template data are prepared, the user selects template data obtained from a sample form (sample form image) having the same layout as the form (form image) to be processed in the form image. Form image processing is executed with the template data.

The template data selection unit 41 displays a list of saved template data on the display device 3 and reads out the template data selected by the user operation in the list (step S11).

Next, the user selects the form image to be processed and specifies it using the input device 2. For example, the user selects a form to be processed, sets it in the image reading device 5, and causes the image reading device 5 to read the form image from the form. Alternatively, for example, the user uses the input device 2 to select a form image to be processed from a list of stored form images. The target form image acquisition unit 42 acquires the image data of the form image designated by the user (step S12).

A form image having the same resolution as the sample form image of the template data to be applied is acquired.

Then, the partial image search unit 43 selects one unprocessed (unselected) query condition in the selected template data (step S13), and searches for the search partial image specified by the selected query condition. As a key, an image search is executed on the acquired form image as described above (step S14).

In the acquired form image, the character recognition processing unit 44 identifies the character recognition area in the partial image found by the image search based on the position information and the size information of the character recognition area in the query condition (step S15). ), The character recognition process is executed for the image in the character recognition area, and the text data (character code) corresponding to the text image included in the character recognition area is specified (step S16). At this time, the character recognition process may be executed in consideration of the data type specified in the column attribute of the character recognition area.

The character recognition processing unit 44 associates one or a plurality of text data obtained corresponding to each character recognition area with each other as text data arranged in one column.

Then, the table data generation unit 45 generates table data in a predetermined data format from the data of one or a plurality of columns obtained corresponding to the one or a plurality of character recognition areas (step S17).

The partial image search unit 43 determines whether or not all the query conditions in the selected template data have been processed (step S18), and returns to step S13 if at least one query condition has not been processed. , The same processing (steps S13 to S16) is executed together with the character recognition processing unit 44, and the table data generation unit 45 adds the newly generated column data to the table data (step S17). Alternatively, after the processing of all the query conditions is completed, the table data may be collectively generated from the column data obtained in the processing.

On the other hand, when the partial image search unit 43 determines that all the query conditions in the selected template data have been processed, the form image processing for the form image ends.

In this way, the form image processing using the corresponding template data is executed for the form image specified by the user, and the table data corresponding to the form image is obtained.

Note that it is not necessary to re-execute the template data generation process for the form of the layout in which the template data is generated, and the form image process is executed using the saved template data.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the target form image acquisition unit 42 acquires the form image to be processed. The partial image search unit 43 searches the form image for the search partial image specified by the query condition based on the template data including one or a plurality of query conditions, and one or one corresponding to the search partial image. A plurality of partial images are detected in the form image. Based on the template data, the character recognition processing unit 44 executes character recognition processing on the character recognition area specified by the query condition in each partial image detected in the form image.

As a result, the character recognition area is specified based on the query condition in the partial image in the form image detected corresponding to the search partial image specified in the query condition in the template data, so that the layout is complicated. Even in the form image, table data can be generated with a desired column array. Therefore, table data is appropriately generated from a wider variety of forms.

Embodiment 2.

In the form image processing system according to the second embodiment, as described above, the table data generation unit 45 uses the text data obtained by the character recognition process corresponding to one character recognition area as one column, and the first column thereof. When the heading of one column is set based on the column attribute associated with one character recognition area, and there are multiple columns of the same heading corresponding to the character recognition area of multiple query conditions. Merges the plurality of columns into one column.

Since other configurations and operations of the form image processing system according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Embodiment 3.

In the form image processing system according to the third embodiment, the template data generation unit 21 (a) reduces the resolution of the sample form image to a predetermined resolution, and (b) reduces the resolution of the sample form image to a predetermined resolution. The image of the query area is extracted as a partial image for search.

Further, in the form image processing system according to the third embodiment, the partial image search unit 43 (c) reduces the form image from the default resolution to the predetermined resolution, and (d) reduces the form image to the predetermined resolution. The search partial image is searched in the image, the partial image corresponding to the search partial image is detected in the form image reduced to the predetermined resolution, and the character recognition processing unit 44 detects based on the template data. The character recognition area in the partial image is specified, and the character recognition process is executed for the character recognition area at the default resolution.

Since other configurations and operations of the form image processing system according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the image search in the partial image search unit 43 is performed on the reduced image, the partial image in the form image corresponding to the search image search is detected in a short time. Will be done.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the intent and scope of the subject and without diminishing the intended benefits. That is, such changes and amendments are intended to be included in the claims.

For example, in the first, second, and third embodiments described above, when the character code (text data) is not obtained as a result of the character recognition process, the table data generation unit 45 indicates that there is no value in the corresponding cell. Dummy data (first dummy data) may be inserted, and when the table data generation unit 45 synthesizes table data based on a plurality of query conditions, the column obtained under one query condition may be used as another query. If the condition cannot be obtained, dummy data (second dummy data) may be inserted in the cell corresponding to the table data of the other query condition in the column. Further, the above-mentioned first dummy data and the second dummy data may be standard texts different from each other. By doing so, in the table data, the cell that originally has no data and the cell for which the value could not be obtained in the character recognition result are clearly distinguished and recognized by the user.

Further, in the first, second, and third embodiments described above, before executing the character recognition process for the character recognition area of the form image, the boundary (frame) of the character recognition area and the object in the form image (character recognition target). When the text image) intersects with the character recognition area, the character recognition area may be adjusted so that the object fits within the character recognition area.

Further, in the above-described first, second, and third embodiments, when the shape of the sample form image and the shape of the form image to be processed in the form image do not match, the form image processing is performed so that the two match. The target form image may be enlarged, reduced, rotated, or the like as appropriate.

Further, in the above-described first, second, and third embodiments, the template data is manually selected according to the user operation corresponding to the form (form image) to be processed in the form image processing, but instead, the template data selection unit is used. The 41 may automatically select the template data corresponding to the sample form image having the maximum similarity based on the similarity between the form image to be processed in the form image and the sample form image. In that case, for example, (a) the template data generation unit 34 associates the corresponding sample form image as an image file with the template data and saves it in a predetermined storage device at the time of generating the template data, and (b) the template data. Before the form image processing of the form image to be processed by the selection unit 41, the form image to be processed by the form image and the sample form image corresponding to one or a plurality of stored template data are displayed. The similarity is calculated, one template data corresponding to the sample form image having the maximum similarity is selected, and (c) the form image processing is executed using the selected template data. At that time, the form image to be processed and the sample form image are each reduced by a predetermined magnification, and the similarity between the reduced form image to be processed and the sample form image after reduction is determined between the form image to be processed and the sample. It may be calculated as the degree of similarity with the form image. Further, at that time, the reduced form image to be processed and the reduced sample form image are each converted into a binary image, and the reduced processed form image as a binary image and the reduced binary image are reduced. The degree of similarity with the later sample form image may be calculated as the degree of similarity between the form image to be processed and the sample form image. Here, for example, a form image to be processed (before reduction, after reduction, or after reduction and binarization) and a sample form image (before reduction, after reduction, or after reduction and binarization). Is compared for each pixel, and the number of pixels whose pixel values match (or the number corresponding to the number of pixels) is calculated as the degree of similarity. Further, as the sample form image to be saved in association with the template data, an image before reduction, after reduction, or after reduction and binarization may be generated and used in advance.

The present invention can be applied to, for example, the generation of table data corresponding to a form image.

6 Arithmetic processing unit (example of computer)
11 Form image processing program 21 Template data generation unit 42 Target form image acquisition unit 43 Partial image search unit 44 Character recognition processing unit 45 Table data generation unit

Claims (6)

The target form image acquisition unit that acquires the form image to be processed, and
Based on the template data including one or a plurality of query conditions, the search partial image specified by the query condition is searched in the form image, and the partial image corresponding to the search partial image is detected in the form image. Partial image search section and
A character recognition processing unit that executes character recognition processing on a character recognition area specified by the query condition in the partial image detected in the form image based on the template data.
A form image processing system characterized by being equipped with. A template data generation unit for generating the template data is further provided.
The template data generation unit specifies (a) a query area designated by a user operation and the character recognition area in the query area in the sample form image, and (b) an image of the query area in the sample form image. Is extracted as the search partial image, and (c) the query condition indicating the search partial image and the character recognition area is generated.
The form image processing system according to claim 1. A table data generation unit for generating table data having the text data obtained by the character recognition process is further provided.
The template data has a column attribute associated with the character recognition area.
The table data generation unit has (a) text data obtained by the character recognition process corresponding to one character recognition area as one column, and (b) is associated with the one character recognition area. The heading of the one column is set based on the column attribute, and (c) when there are a plurality of columns of the same heading corresponding to the character recognition area of the plurality of query conditions, the plurality of columns are set. Consolidating into one column,
The form image processing system according to claim 1. The template data generation unit (a) reduces the resolution of the sample form image to a predetermined resolution, and (b) searches the image of the query area in the sample form image reduced to the predetermined resolution for the search portion. Extract as an image
The partial image search unit searches for (c) the form image from the default resolution to the predetermined resolution, and (d) the search partial image in the form image reduced to the predetermined resolution. A partial image corresponding to the search partial image is detected in the form image reduced to the predetermined resolution, and the partial image is detected.
The character recognition processing unit identifies the character recognition area in the partial image based on the template data, and executes character recognition processing on the character recognition area at the default resolution.
The form image processing system according to claim 1. Steps to acquire the form image to be processed,
Based on the template data including one or a plurality of query conditions, the search partial image specified by the query condition is searched in the form image, and the partial image corresponding to the search partial image is detected in the form image. Steps to do and
Based on the template data, the step of executing the character recognition process for the character recognition area specified by the query condition in the partial image detected in the form image, and
A form image processing method characterized by comprising. Computer,
Target form image acquisition unit that acquires the form image to be processed,
Based on the template data including one or a plurality of query conditions, the search partial image specified by the query condition is searched in the form image, and the partial image corresponding to the search partial image is detected in the form image. A character recognition processing unit that executes character recognition processing for a character recognition area specified by the query condition in the partial image detected in the form image based on the partial image search unit and the template data. Form image processing program that functions as.

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